Toulmin Model Argument about the Environment - Essay Example

? Toulmin model argument about the environment There is firm relation between Christianity and environment, and this call for the right attention to understand the bible. It is seen as the new concept, and like any new concept is subject to various arguments but there is no need to underrate any concept, the only need is of the right understanding. This is to unravel the relationship between the scientific concept of environment conservation and its deep roots into the religion. Christians will always be subjected to criticism from the environmental activists and scientists for their lack of concern for the environment and now when there is different approach of relation between the two, it is not easy for the people to believe or trust it. GOD created human being as a reflection of him. There are some scholars according to Toulmin who believe that god created us so that we can rule his creation, therefore human beings should use his creations for livelihood (Mead, 2008).Bottom of Form When god created the universe, he tasked the Christians to care for the environment but some of them still don’t show the care thinking that it is not their responsibility to care for the environment (Nachtigall, 2008). Some believe that when Christ come back he will change the world the way it is so caring is not necessary. Many of them are concerned with the behavior of the environmentalist that places them above that of the creator. Some think that everything in the universe should be explained with respect to God or Christian values. They believe that Christians should only be focused on the things that will guarantee them the kingdom of heaven while paying no attention to earthly things. This people also think that if non Christians see them paying attention to earthly things they will think that they have nothing to focus on other than these earthly things. They will think that earthly things are of more importance to then Christians. Though this Christians arguments are prevalent God actually wants us to care of the universe and even the moral grounds dictates so. It is the responsibility for the Christians to take care of the environment (Mead, 2008). In these modern days the environmental challenges are threatening the existence of humanity that firstly supports its existence. Environmental problems are monster facing us and it can’t be wished away. Some of these challenges will have dire consequences if not sorted out early enough. There are many reasons why Christians should restore the environment. First, Christians should support God’s work by protecting gods’ creations (Nachtigall, 2008). God created the earth and human beings and placed them on earth to take care of it. Hence, Christians should not neglect the responsibility of working with God to protect and preserve all the creations. This will in turn ensure Christians preserve the environment and restore it. In addition, it will help Christians serve the Lord through the environment by preserving and conserving it. Second, Christians should start programs that focus on conserving the environment (Nachtigall, 2008). In religion, the only basic concept is to serve God and Holy Son; there is no concept of worldly concerns in the religion. This concept is what is driving Christians away from the topic of environmental conservations. All the holy people are always involved in the service of mankind so there is no point in staying away from the world. God has sent us all in this world for a purpose and we have to fulfill it. It is our own mistake if we do not understand it, and harm other people and this world. This is why there is need to understand the basic concept and relation between the nature and Christianity. One of the greatest challenges is the global warming. This is the trap of gases near the earth surface raising the temperatures just like in the green house. This effect is rising at an alarming rate and scientists are developing different models to explain and try to understand it. This increase in temperatures will cause icecaps to melt raising the sea levels hence water will enter the land forcing displacement into already crowded landed (Rundle, 2009). Other environmental challenges are air and water pollution. Acid rain results from pollution in the air which precipitate hence raining in form of acid. These challenges are dangerous to both human and animals which are all God’s creatures and that is why Christians should be in the front line in addressing them. Berry is not correct in his arguments because this single movements projects they are only part of the bigger part of environmental conservation. There is also no one single solution to environmental pollution simply because we don’t have one environmental pollutant. We have air pollution in different form and water pollution also from different agents of pollution. Everything possible should be done to keep the environment and their surroundings clean including single movements (Revelation 11:18) (Rundle, 2009). But the nations became wrathful, and your own wrath came, and the appointed time for the dead to be judged, and to give [their] reward to your slaves the prophets and to the holy ones and to those fearing your name, the small and the great, and to bring to ruin those ruining the earth.” Christian and everybody else should still not destroy God's creation!! We should be recycling and saving the animals. That's good, but we shouldn't be doing it out of fear, and out of mistrusting God. We should trust that He will keep us safe on this planet like He said until the end of days. But still, we shouldn't let God's beautiful Earth get gross!! I also think, Christians, should be more focused on doing god's will first (Hitchcock & Verheij, 2006). But after this, I think you take all the precautions that everyone else does like: recycling, reusing and everything else that everyone does. Take five minutes to think about the long term consequences of exponential population growth then take another five minutes to consider how most Christian denominations handle family planning. Even the Pope has come out saying people should work to protect the environment, and even enumerated certain things he considers sins. References Hitchcock, D., & Verheij, B. (2006). Arguing on the Toulmin model: New essays in argument analysis and evaluation. Dordrecht: Springer. Toulmin, S. E., Smith, T. J., Book, C. L., Michigan State University., & WKAR-TV (Television station : East Lansing, Mich.). (1978). Toulmin model of argument. East Lansing: Michigan State University Instructional Media Center. Nachtigall, P. (2008). Faith in the future: Christianity's interface with globalization. Anderson, Ind: Warner Press. Jean Mead. (2008). Christian Beliefs and Their Influence on Actions. New York: Evans Brothers Steven Rundle. (2009). Economic Justice in a Flat World: Christian Perspectives on Globalization. Michigan: Biblica Read More