This post is designed to draw attention to a pressing issue of our day according to our Biblical mandate to destroy every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God (II Cor 10:5). The philosophies motivating the GMO experiment on human guinea pigs represent a dereliction of the cultural mandate. In contrast to these policies, several Providence families have taken action for the glory of Christ in stewardship applied to agriculture. Here are some thoughts from one of them…
Born-again Christ followers ought to take the topic of GMO (genetically modifies organisms) very seriously. God’s word tells us in (Genesis 1:29-31)
“Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.” And it was so. God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.”
Notice He said it was Very good! Creation was complete and it was very good, perfect in fact. No need to change a single thing. God was pleased and even took a day to rest after the work he had done.
So what about the GMO issue? Well, after man sinned everything changed. Things were no longer perfect because of man’s sin. Furthermore, attempts to genetically modify God’s creation represent a doubling down of original sin. It is simply man trying to play god or be like a god. It presumes audacity rooted in a Darwinistic view of the universe. As if we could certainly improve on byproducts of mere time and chance. This is sin.
God has instructed us to take dominion over the earth, not to change its genetic make-up. Harvesting crops, planting trees, raising livestock, hunting, and tending gardens are all examples of taking dominion and stewardship over God’s creation. Genetically changing the core structure that God spoke into existence is lawlessness. It bespeaks no reverence for the God of creation. No fear of the Lord.
On the contrary, GMO’s in policy and practice betray sinful motives. Greedy desire for higher yields and for increased profits. GMO’s do not exist to feed hungry villagers in Africa. The sinister proof is evident in countless studies showing the harmful effects GMO’s have on mice and pigs ingesting this poison. It only stands to reason the deleterious effects of these ostensibly edible freaks of nature are taking their toll on humans as well. Are we even a little curious about the historically disproportionate rates of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and chronic maladies plaguing a modern society raised on food promising convenience inversely proportionate of its nutritional value? Will our slavish indifference continue to blind us to the elephant in the refrigerator?
We are to be stewards of God’s creation, we are not at liberty to pervert or decimate it. It is becoming increasingly hard to find non-GMO feed for animals or food for us humans. For these reasons my family is earnestly trying to grow, raise, or shoot all of our own food. At least we will know what is in it and where the seeds come from! Praise be to God for creating us, for Jesus conquering sin, for making this earth perfect, and for enabling us to reclaim the dominion mandate. Everything we need is given to us from the Creator! Amen.
-Adam Wegman