A Christian Declaration on the Spiritual Values of Wilderness

The statement ‘God’s Gift of a Wild and Wonderful Land‘ represents basic Christian principles about wilderness and our human spiritual need that emerged from our time of prayer, reflection and wilderness experience on a weekend hike from Spruce Knob down to Seneca Creek, West-Virginia (USA) during mid-June, 2006. The spiritual values discussed are: In wilderness we learn about God; wilderness cultivate community, wilderness is God’s gift of creation undefiled; in wilderness we cleanse our minds and spirits; wilderness nurtures a sense of beauty and traditional values;  wilderness teaches humility; wilderness presents contrasting choices. Scriptural citations had been added to show that these insights are not new, but elaborations of ancient although often overlooked Biblical themes. Recommendations for action include: Take the time to visit wilderness; love what God has created; encourage others into greater respect for wilderness; bring young people and youth groups into wilderness; seek to preserve, protect and expand wilderness; protect the beauty of the land undefiled; expand wilderness in West Virginia; and remember that wilderness protection is service to God and country.