This is a THEME PAPER ABSTRACT; the paper will be presented at the Jamaica Consultation on Creation Care and the Gospel in October, 2012.  Comments are welcomed!  View all abstracts.

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Why should an evangelist plant a tree? For the same reasons an evangelist may apply a dressing to a wound, or dig a well, or show a farmer how to plant a new variety of disease-resistant wheat—

• As an expression of worship and respect for God the Creator

• In imitation of the heart of God the Gardener

• In obedience to God’s command to rule over and manage the earth

• As an expression of love for the people God has made

• As a reversal of the damage to creation brought though the curse on sin

• As a sign and promise of the coming kingdom of God

• As a bridge to prepare the way for sharing the glorious good news that Jesus Christ is Lord of all, and that God in Christ was reconciling the world (including all of creation) to himself