My
father, John Roberts, an avid conservationist and I are in the middle
of working on a project called Nature's Lamp. This page will
give you information on the progess of the project including tools
for your own study and enjoyment. One such tool is the "Abridged
Nature Bible." This is a large database of nature related Bible-Passges,
comments and questions that we've created as part of our work on Nature's
Lamp.
CLICK
here for the ABRIDGED NATURE BIBLE
Here is information on our project.
NATURE'S LAMP
Mission Statement
To provide creative tools to help Christians
and non-Christians better understand how nature, being God’s
creation,
serves to glorify God, draw humans to God, and provide a universal
language
for the illumination of his Word.
Themes
Tools will be developed around these themes
Themes are listed and grouped in a progressive order of complexity
- Nature is the universal language. Nature is God's picture book
to teach, discipline and love. God's Voice. How can elements
of nature at home be used to bring the stories of in Bible closer
to home?
- Nature surpasses the human ability for comprehension (wonder and
mystery). It is omnipresent. It fills all voids. It
is relentless. It endures through reckless abundance. Its
indestructible (unless God destroys it to serve His purposes)
- Elements of nature. (Water is the pre-eminent element in
the Bible)
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- How does God sustain and manage nature? God created nature. Nature’s
power comes from God.
- Nature Belongs to God. Trust in God (don’t worry). God's
love is unconditional
- How does God employ nature to achieve his purposes?
- Nature is obedient to God. God changes the rules of nature in His
miracles, prophecy, and end times. Because of man, nature is
subject to frustration, thus there is a dichotomy between the world
where the weak are favored and the strong survive. Later this
discrepancy will be reconciled.
- Nature always glorifies God. It always reflects to God. Nature
is not God.
- Christians who strive to be good stewards and care for nature do
so because of a desire to draw closer to God (losing touch with parts
of nature is a potential loss of connection to God). How is sorrow
for the loss of elements of nature derived from a sorrow for a loss
of what God created and sustained?
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- How has man's relationship to nature changed overtime and through
the Bible? How has this influenced a change in man's relationship
to God? What is the affect of worldliness on man and nature
(worldly defined)?
- God favors the weak. Humans protect themselves from nature more
than the animals that live wild in nature (favoring weakness vs.
elements of evolution).
- What can we learn about the Triune God's qualities through nature?
Format
1) Each theme will be introduced and explained by a referenced essay.
Each essay will be supported by a list of Biblical references and
a referenced list of patterns/laws of nature.
2) Currently there are 20-30 creative approaches that have been developed
under each theme. Over the next year, these creative approaches
will be worked into tools or activities.
3) A general set of guidelines intended to enhance and focus the use
of tools and activities in this project will be provided.
4) The target audience for the tools and activities under each theme
will span a variety of ages and settings. Different combinations
of activities can be assembled to suit the needs of a 5-day summer
camp, a one day or weekend retreat, or be expandable to serve the needs
of individuals seeking a 40day-40night extended period of Christian
study and contemplation. Suggested lists of activities or tools
most applicable for different age groups or settings will be provided.
5) There will be an emphasis on outdoor rather than class room approaches.
6) It is intended that all ideas, materials, and approaches in the
Nature’s Lamp project be available as source-identified, free
downloads from the internet.
7) In is also intended that the website housing Nature’s Lamp
resources will have interactive capacity where such things as mission
related or project inspired experiences and ideas can be captured and
shared. The website will actively seek to incorporate mission-compatible
tools that already exist or are newly developed by outside parties
for inclusion in this project.
Additional Resources
Abridged Nature Bible (ANB): This resource identifies the passages
in the Bible that have reference to nature. It will be made
available, through download, as a complete Biblical text with highlighted
passages, nature related passages only, as selected topics, or as
selected elements of nature (i.e. references to water, rock, trees,
vines, etc.)
Sample sermons pertaining to the mission of this project will be included
as ministers choose to provide them.
References and internet links that are mission-compatible will be
listed
NOTE: This is a work-in-progress. This update on the progress
of Nature’s Lamp is provided to stimulate comments, advice, or
helpful criticism. Please recognize that we seek to allow (at
least not prevent) God from working both creatively and carefully though
us. We will be asking for advice on scriptural validity, as well
as practical usefulness from many individuals throughout the project. Your
suggestions will be welcomed and taken with all seriousness.
John Roberts
Jonathon Roberts
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