Going green by the 'Good Book'

Jonathan Merritt doesn't wear hemp or handcuff himself to a tree.

Leave that to other environmentalists. He's choosing a different path for his activism.

"It's all about a rediscovery of the Scriptures," says Merritt, the Atlanta-based author of "Green Like God: Unlocking the Divine Plan for Our Planet" (FaithWords; $16.99) "So many verses tell us how to act when it comes to creation, but we've just skipped over them, misrepresented them or brushed them aside."

These days, the freelance faith and culture writer, whose works have appeared in several national publications, has earned the nickname "the Green Southern Baptist." Although he's proud of his religious heritage, he's also disappointed in its track record on global awareness.

"If you love the creator, you have to love creation," he says. "And that means taking better care of it."

The eco-movement, which first picked up steam during the oil crisis in the 1970s, is back in full force. But Merritt says it's not just about recycling, using energy-efficient light bulbs or driving "smart" cars. It's about re-reading the Bible and understanding the clear mandate set forth on this topic.

He got his awakening in a theology class. Before that, he says he suffered from "enviro-ambivalence." But a professor's lecture changed his way of thinking and doing things.

"There are two forms of divine revelation," the professor said. "The special revelation in Scripture that is able to lead us to nature and the general revelation we receive through nature. Both are from God. So when we destroy creation, which is God's revelation, it's similar to tearing a page out of the Bible."

That analogy was Merritt's wake-up call. He's now on the forefront of the faith-based green movement, starting with encouraging Christians to read the Bible from a fresh perspective.

"It's all there before us," he says. "I spent a year studying Genesis to Revelation, and finding those guidelines that have been right before us all along. This isn't about the 'coolness' about being green; this is about God's word and what we're supposed to do."

That has led Merritt to make changes in his own life; downsizing his car, eating more local foods, better and less energy consumption and spending money more wisely. But it's his faith that directs him, not a passing fad. And for that reason, he believes it will become a more permanent part of his life.

His hope is that church leaders will be more diligent in getting this message out to their congregants.

"You mobilize the faith community," he says, "and you can make significant change. The framework is all there for us. It's been there all along."