J.J. Buckfart* communications * environment * leadership * science *

So what does a pastor who has a Masters degree in Forestry do in his spare time?

I have this theory about the fig leaves used to cover Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. The common fig species in current-day Palestine is Ficus carica. In my opinion Ficus carica is not a good candidate for covering of one’s private parts as the leaves are palmate, deeply divided into 3 to 7 main lobes. Now there is a fig in current-day India that has broad round leaves called Ficus roxburghii which are obtuse, cordate, entire to undulate, alternate, 21.5 cm long, 23.5 cm broad. A much more likely candidate to cover Adam and Eve. (If I have lost you on the jargon, check out these two links for some pictures; CANDIDATE 1 and CANDIDATE 2)

I am making the assumption that it’s more likely they chose a leaf that was broad and somewhat round, rather than one that is palmate and lobing. But here is the problem. Is it possible that a fig tree which is naturally found in current-day India could be used in the Garden of Eden? I think it is possible. Tree species migration over time is well-documented in science. (Check these papers out if you are interested in the science: Williams et al and Jackson et al.) In changing climates, plant species ranges can change.

Also, I have to also make the disclaimer that we really have no any idea where the Garden of Eden was located. I suspect it must have been tropical or sub-tropical as these systems sustain high levels of diveristy.

This is all playful speculation, so don’t take me too seriously.

Ficus roxburghii at Thunder Bay's Centennial Botanical Conservatory

Each time I visit the conservatory, I find interesting plants. Earlier today, I was there with Robby my bud from Teen Challenge. I found a plant that’s mentioned in the Bible and will be writing about that one soon.

Oh of course not! If you did, you would definitely go to hell*.

Yesterday, I was walking** through the Thunder Bay Centennial Botantical Conservatory. I had been there numerous times and had never noticed that Thunder Bay has its very own coffee tree. This was very exciting for me.

In the Genesis account God created trees and seed bearing plants on the third day. God saw that the plants were good, and who am I to disagree. I especially agree with God, when it comes to those plants that I have a particularly strong affinity for. I especially like apples (Malus spp.) and coffee (Coffea arabica).

I wonder if God put the coffee tree on the earth with pastors in mind. I have yet to meet a pastor who isn’t borderline addicted to the drink made from Coffea arabica. Doing ministry, studying the Scriptures, counselling people, writing sermons and lessons, practicing prayer, etc. is rarely done without a cup of coffee nearby.

I can quit drinking coffee if I wanted to … really … I just don’t want to.
I bet you heard that one before.

Interestingly, caffeine acts as a natural defence against the coffee plant’s predators, but it looks like that strategy backfired. People figured out that we could pick the “beans,” roast ‘em and grind them up, then run hot water through the grinds, then after our hard work, drink the remaining liquid.

Scriptures are clear that we should have no false gods before us. I wonder if our love for coffee approaches worshiping a false god. Would God may make an exception in this one case?

* You won’t really go to hell. That was a joke.
** OK, actually I was playing hide and seek with my three year old daughter.

On a shady note: Some folks know that it is more ethical to purchase shade coffee rather than errr… non-shade coffee, but don’t know why. Coffee trees don’t grow very tall, are very shade tolerant and naturally found in the understory of forests. Shade coffee is generally grown in a more naturalized setting which sustains higher biodiversity. Compare that to areas where natural forests have been cut to make way for coffee plantations which support less biodiversity and require more human inputs such as fertilizer and chemical controls.

I feel that my passion for Creator God and my passion for Creator God’s Creation, often put me in a weird position. In some of the circles, I mention I am a Christian and the conversation gets really quiet and people start shuffling uncomfortably. How can this be, J is such a normal guy? In those moments (thankfully they are rare), if I really want to see someone blow a gasket, all I need to do is tell them I am not only a Christian, but a Christian Pastor, as well.

Why is it that folks outside the Christian faith have a hard time accepting that Christians can actually give a rip about the environment? I guess our track record has been less than stellar. And it probably doesn’t help that leaders on both sides of the US/Canada boarder claiming to be Christian will sometimes roll out policies that are not very green. But are all Christians like that? Do we all think that by God giving us “Dominion” over the Created World we have license to do whatever we like with it? Although the Genesis account records God saying after each creative act “It was good” are our actions revealing that our attitudes are different than the Creator? Do we think it’s UnChristian to care for the Created World?

On another note I decided to launch this blog today, my daughter’s 3rd birthday. It’s dedicated to her and those of her generation who will inhert the consequences of our good and bad decisions.