Serve God, Save the Planet: A Christian Call to Action
by J. Matthew Sleeth
ISBN: 9780310275343

Not long ago, J. Matthew Sleeth had a fantastic life and a great job as chief of the medical staff at a large hospital. He was living the American dream-until he saw an increasing number of his patients suffering from cancer, asthma, and other chronic diseases. He began to suspect that the Earth and its inhabitants were in deep trouble.

Turning to Jesus for guidance, Sleeth discovered how the scriptural lessons of personal responsibility, simplicity, and stewardship could be applied to modern life. The Sleeths have since sold their big home and given away more than half of what they once owned. In Serve God, Save the Planet, Sleeth shares the joy of adopting a less materialistic, healthier lifestyle, stronger relationships, and richer spiritual lives. With the storytelling ease of James Herriot and the logical clarity of C. S. Lewis, Sleeth lays out the rationale for environmentally responsible life changes and a how-to guide for making those changes.

Welcome to the preview of the book, "Serve God, Save the Planet". We hope you enjoy reading it each day and look forward to any comments or questions you may have. -- Matthew & Nancy

Dear Matthew and Nancy,

I am happy to see a book about saving the planet with a Christian prespective. Although I believe it is our duty to be good stewards of the earth (and I don't think we are doing a great job!), I am bothered by Al Gore's assertion that if we don't take action, we will destroy the earth. I find this to be the opposite of what the Bible teaches. God has appointed the time for the end of this earth (when Jesus returns) and there is nothing we can do to delay that or hasten it. What is your take on this?

Dear Lori,
Thanks for taking the time to write and for your support of Christians taking a leading role in caring for God's creation.

Matthew addresses your comment in Chapter 2 (A Christian's Case for Earth Care) of Serve God, Save the Planet. Jesus tells us that no one knows when the end will come, except the Father. Instead, Christ cautions us to conduct our lives in a way we would not be ashamed of if the world ended today. No matter how much time is left, we are told to love God, and all that God loves. One way of showing our love is to care for His creation by being good stewards.

Thank you for all you are doing to care for God's creation. We are grateful.

Every blessing,
Nancy Sleeth

Nancy and Matthew,

I don't normally read books on the environment, but I am enjoying the excerpts, and I have put your book on order for our library. I completely agree with Lori's earlier comments. I am bothered by the hypocrisy of many who preach to me to "go green" who have a much more lavish lifestyle than I do. I believe we should be good steward's of God's creation because it is His gift to us, and because it honors Him to do so. I do believe, however, that God is sovereign and He is in control of the ultimate fate of the planet He created.

The part of the book I found most interesting so far was concerning the red food dye. It is troubling that there are so many toxins in our environment we have no knowledge of that could be harming our families, or may have already done damage that we are as yet unaware of.

Thanks for responding on the book club forum, and keep up the good work!

Marcia

Do you think you are bothered by Al Gore because he is not a "republican christian"? He seems to be saying the same thing you are saying, that we are supposed to be good stewards and that we aren't being good stewards and that we need to be responsible so what's wrong with that? The facts are we are hurting our world and while God will end the earth when He wants, does that not mean that we can't try to make things better. We are going to all die one day too, when God calls us, does that mean we shouldn't take medicine or have surgery when necessary. Please get off your bias about someone because they are not republican (I know that this is an issue in many pulpits, not that he is right or not but that he is a "filthy" democrat. He has a good message.

Hi Doreen,

As I said before, I do believe that we should be good stewards of the earth (as God charges us in the Bible) and I don't think we are doing a good job of it. For me this is not about politics, but about the Bible. The Bible is clear that this earth will end and that God has decided when that will happen. If anyone asserts that we have control over when (or if) this earth will end, we, as Christians, need to challenge that statement. God is in control.

I have a little different take on this issue. Let's say that 2 people are on an airplane going to Africa. Person A is going on an African safari purely for pleasure. Person B is a missionary going to Africa to preach the gospel. If our goal is to use as little fossil fuel as possible, both these people should stay home. A doesn't need to go to Africa to vacation and B can preach here, afterall there are plenty of people in America who are not saved. But I think most Christians would agree that flying to Africa to save peoples' souls is a good use of fuel. But what if A saved his money for years because he had a great desire to go to Africa. While there, he discovered that God was calling him to help families affected by AIDS (true story). Then does it become a good use of fuel? It is important not to waste our resources and to take care of the earth that God has so graciously given us. But it is more important to do God's work and fulfill the Great Commission. I believe this should be our first consideration.

I am enjoying the portions of the book that I have read so far. I completely agree with the issues of consumerism that you have brought up so far - there is so much focus on pleasing ourselves. I look forward to finishing the book. Thank you and I am happy for you and your family.

Thank you for the kind words. If you would like to learn more about our family's faith and environment journey, please visit www.servegodsavetheplanet.org You can also check out our daughter's book for teens which just came out with Zondervan at www.itsewzbeinggreen.org We feel so grateful for all the encouragement we get from people like you, as they journey with us, putting their faith into action by becoming better stewards of God's gifts.
Every blessing,
Nancy Sleeth

I am enjoying the message of your book. I still drive my small car that gets 35 mph, and my high school students have a better cellphone than I do. I recycle and I am happy to live below my needs.

i want to buy an electric car. Electric cars can help the environment!

O.K., I am so thoughtful about your words and story and have to read more. I realize that I can make a difference within my own family and the things we do. Sometimes, I become overwhelmed with the concept of what I can do and just keep on doing nothing or better yet, just keep on living in the world without making any changes or adjustments.
I think my 11 year old daughter would like the teen book and maybe together we can make a shift within our own lifestyle.

Dear Matthew,
Amen!! Thank you for this book! I have always thought it was a "no brainer" that being a Christian meant taking care of the earth that God created for us. I could never understand why all of us believers didn't automatically unite under His banner and work together to care for His world to make a discernible difference. While I try to do my part, I have felt my individual effort was just a drop in the bucket. But now I see hope through your book that more people will become aware of their responsibility and respond quickly, do their part and teach the next generation to care for the creation so graciously given to us by God, so that on that great last day we may hear the Lord give us the ultimate commendation -"Well done my good and faithful servant." May God bless you and your family and your effort to please Him by saving the the earth from our wasteful and harmful ways.
Gabrielle

Matthew, I remember methiolade! As A nurse I also remember other medieval painful tortures such as preop shots, IM pain shots instead of IV. We have moved foreward in some ways.

Matthew and Nancy

I have to say I am very disappointed. We brought up some very important points about environmental issues from God's perspective and we didn't received any response. I think these would be worthwhile to discuss.

Lori, agreed with you. I am disappointed too.