Question 22 – Why does God allow the destruction of nature?

There are many people who deeply love nature. They cherish the diversity of animal species, the beauty and fragrance of flowers, and the harmony with which everything operates. They feel a deep connection with nature. On the other hand, it is widely known that humans have devastated a vast portion of the natural world in recent decades. Ecosystems are disrupted, life-giving resources are polluted and destroyed, animal species are rapidly going extinct, and many domesticated animals are often treated insensitively, enduring unnatural conditions in mass farming, etc. In short, we are irreversibly damaging the planet we call home. These realities rightfully disturb many of us.

As I write this response, I have before me a documentary video of an extremist group surrounding a destroyed tree, hysterically mourning and weeping over it. Certainly, this is an extreme not shared by everyone. Nevertheless, this extreme exists, and you might be curious as to how I would respond to these people in a face to face conversation regarding this question.

Why?

I believe the answer is fundamentally simple. I, too, love nature! I love to go there to recharge, to quiet myself before God, to pray, meditate, and rest. And even though nature sometimes literally seems to disappear before our eyes, I have no trouble believing in a loving and good God. Why? The answer again lies in the free will of humanity and the curse of sin that has fallen upon all of creation. God certainly does not like this situation, but due to the aforementioned reasons, He tolerates it.

However, it does not end here! I believe we do not need to worry about nature! God plans to restore the planet in all its glory once more. This time without evil, destruction, and extinction. Those who love plants and animals need not worry—God is so powerful that He can create billions of species with the snap of His fingers. All of this will occur only after the final judgment and the end of this (evil) temporary world. Let us realize that God is not primarily concerned with saving trees or a particular crocodile in Africa. We live in a temporary and decaying world in which God's primary focus is something else—A RELATIONSHIP WITH YOU! God desires to save you above all, dear reader. He can create countless plants, countless animals, but if He loses you, the unique, spirit-filled being that you are, you are irreplaceable.

I would like to conclude this answer with a biblical text that relates to our question:

"But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him," (2 Peter 3:10-15)

Summation

If someone were to deny the existence of God (or reject God Himself) due to the reality that He allows the destruction of nature, they would have to assume that nature will never exist again. At the same time, they would have to believe that nature is the most important aspect of life. However, both of these assumptions are mistaken from a Christian standpoint. God is primarily concerned with the salvation of humanity. Nature will be restored, but a lost human soul cannot be.