The Christian Call to Environmental Stewardship: Caring for God’s Creation
When I was little, I loved spending time in my father’s farm. He taught me so much about taking care of plants and animals. He would always tell me that God gave us this beautiful Earth to protect.
My dad would read to me from the Bible. He loved Genesis 2:15, where God puts Adam in the garden “to take care of it and protect it.” This has always stuck with me.
Today, I often think about what it means to be a good caretaker of God’s creation. How can we as Christians help protect the environment? What does the Bible tell us about caring for nature?
In this post, I’ll share what I’ve learned from studying the Bible. It is about Christians caring for the environment. I’ve taught on this topic to any churches. I’ll explain how we can be better protectors of God’s creation in simple, practical ways.
I hope this helps you, whether you’re a student, parent, or church leader. It explains why God cares about our environment. Let’s explore this important topic together!
The Biblical Basis for Environmental Stewardship
The call to environmental stewardship is deeply rooted in the pages of Scripture. It is woven throughout the grand narrative of God’s redemptive plan for creation.
Genesis 1 and 2: Humanity as Caretakers of Creation
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth, and everything in it was perfect and ideal (Genesis 1:1-31).
On the sixth day, God created humanity in His image and tasked them with a sacred responsibility.
“Then God blessed them, and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth’” (Genesis 1:28, NKJV)
The concept of “dominion” has often been misinterpreted as a license to exploit and subjugate the natural world. However, in Genesis 2:15, we find a more nuanced understanding:
“Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to cultivate it and tend it.” (NASB)
The Hebrew words used here, “abad” (to serve) and “shamar” (to keep or protect), paint a picture of humanity as caretakers and stewards of God’s creation.
Deuteronomy and Leviticus: Laws for Sustainable Living
As God’s redeemed people, the Israelites were given specific instructions on how to live in harmony with the land and its resources. The law codes in Deuteronomy and Leviticus emphasize the importance of sustainable agriculture. It also emphasizes the importance of protection of wild creatures and humane treatment of domestic animals.
For example, Leviticus 25:4 states,
“But in the seventh year the land shall have a sabbath rest, a sabbath to the Lord. You shall neither sow your field nor prune your vineyard” (NKJV)
This fallow year allowed the land to replenish its nutrients. This act prevents overexploitation and promotes sustainable farming practices.
Moreover, Deuteronomy 22:6 commands the Israelites to protect nesting birds. This ensures the preservation of wildlife populations.
“If you come across a bird’s nest in any tree or on the ground, with young ones or eggs and the mother sitting on the young or on the eggs, you shall not take the mother with the young.” (ESV)
Romans 8: The Redemption of Creation
In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul echoes the theme of creation care, linking it to the grand narrative of redemption. Romans 8:19-21 states,
“For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it. in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God” (ESV)
Paul’s words reveal that the current state of creation is temporary, and God has a plan to redeem and transform it. He will redeem and transform it as He redeems and transforms His people. This perspective underscores the importance of caring for the Earth, as it is not meant for destruction but for renewal.
Second Peter 3 and Revelation 21: Symbolic Language of Transformation
Passages like Second Peter 3 and Revelation 21 describe the planet fleeing from God’s wrath. These have often been misinterpreted as foretelling the destruction of the Earth.
However, biblical scholars argue that these passages use symbolic language from the Old Testament. This is to convey a message of judgment and transformation, not annihilation.
As N.T. Wright explains,
“The biblical vision is not about the destruction of the present cosmos. But it is about its renewal, its re-creation, its redemption, its liberation from the bondage of decay” (Surprised by Hope, p. 107).
This understanding aligns with Romans 8. It affirms that God’s ultimate goal is the transformation and renewal of creation, not its disposal.
Practical Applications: Living Out Creation Care
The biblical call to environmental stewardship is not merely theoretical. It has practical implications for how we live our lives and interact with the natural world.
Sustainable Agriculture
The laws in Deuteronomy and Leviticus promote sustainable agriculture practices. These practices are crop rotation and fallow years. They provide a blueprint for modern-day farming methods. These prioritize environmental preservation and long-term sustainability.
Protection of Wild Creatures
Just as the Israelites were commanded to protect nesting birds (Deuteronomy 22:6-7), Christians today can advocate for the conservation of habitats and the preservation of endangered species. This ensures that God’s diverse and vibrant creation is protected for future generations.
Humane Treatment of Domestic Animals
The Sabbath ordinance, which extended rest to both humans and animals (Deuteronomy 5:14), offers a critique of modern industrial farming practices that often prioritize productivity over the welfare of livestock. Christians can support and promote humane and ethical treatment of domestic animals. This reflects the biblical values of compassion and care.
Critique of Factory Farming
The Sabbath ordinance also serves as a powerful critique of factory farming practices. These practices often prioritize efficiency and productivity over the well-being of animals and the environment. By advocating for more sustainable and humane farming methods, Christians can live out their role as stewards of God’s creation.
The Christian Call to Environmental Stewardship
The care of creation is not merely a political issue or a passing trend; it is a biblical mandate deeply rooted in the heart of God. As Christians, we are called to be faithful stewards of the natural world, reflecting the character and values of our Creator.
Care for Creation is a Biblical Issue
Contrary to popular belief, environmentalism is not solely a political agenda but a biblical issue that spans the entire narrative of redemptive history. From Genesis to Revelation, Scripture consistently emphasizes the importance of caring for God’s creation and living in harmony with the natural world.
Stewardship of Creation
As God’s image-bearers, we are tasked with reflecting His character and values in our relationship with creation. Just as Adam was entrusted with the care and protection of the Garden of Eden, we too are called to be stewards of the Earth, using its resources responsibly and preserving its beauty for future generations.
Restraint, Productivity, and Charity
The biblical message permeates a theme of restrained consumption, restrained productivity, and charity. These are the values that must translate into our care for creation as well as other aspects of our lives. We are called to use the Earth’s resources wisely, without exploiting or abusing them, and to share generously with those in need.
Key Takeaways
- The call to environmental stewardship is deeply rooted in Scripture. It is also woven throughout the narrative of God’s redemptive plan for creation.
- Humanity was created in God’s image and entrusted with the sacred responsibility of caring for and protecting the natural world.
- The law codes in Deuteronomy and Leviticus emphasize sustainable agriculture practices. These are protection of wild creatures, and humane treatment of domestic animals.
- The New Testament affirms that God’s goal is the transformation and renewal of creation, not its destruction.
- As Christians, we are called to be faithful stewards of God’s creation. This is reflected in His character and values in our relationship with the natural world.
Conclusion
By embracing the Christian call to environmental stewardship, we honor the Creator. We also participate in the redemptive work of restoring creation and leave a lasting legacy for future generations.
Let us be faithful stewards of God’s precious gift, caring for the earth with reverence and responsibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Isn’t environmentalism a political issue?
A. No, environmentalism is not solely a political issue but a biblical mandate deeply rooted in Scripture. The care of creation spans the entire narrative of redemptive history. And Christians are called to be faithful stewards of God’s creation.
Q. Doesn’t the Bible give humans dominion over the Earth?
A. The concept of “dominion” in Genesis 1:28 has often been misinterpreted as a license to exploit and subjugate the natural world. However, Genesis 2:15 paints a different picture.
Q. Isn’t environmentalism just a political agenda?
A. No, environmental stewardship is a biblical issue that transcends political agendas. It is rooted in the creation account and the call for humanity to serve and protect God’s creation.
Q. Doesn’t the Bible give humans dominion over the earth?
A. The concept of “dominion” in Genesis 1:28 does not imply exploitation or abuse of the earth. Rather, it refers to the responsibility of stewarding and caring for God’s creation in a manner that reflects His character and values.
Q. Aren’t there more pressing issues for Christians to focus on?
A. There are certainly many important issues to address. But environmental stewardship is a crucial aspect of our faith and cannot be neglected. Caring for God’s creation is a biblical mandate and an integral part of living out our faith.
Q. How can individuals make a difference?
A. Every individual can make a difference through simple actions like reducing waste. Also conserving energy, and supporting sustainable practices. Additionally, we can advocate for environmental policies and initiatives within our communities and churches.
Q. Aren’t climate change and environmental issues too complex for Christians to address?
A. While these issues are complex, Christians are called to be salt and light in the world (Matthew 5:13-16). We can engage with these challenges through prayerful discernment and scientific research. We also engage through collaboration with experts to find biblically-aligned solutions.
Q. Isn’t environmentalism a political agenda?
A. No, environmental stewardship is a biblical issue that transcends political agendas. The call to care for creation is woven throughout the narratives of Scripture and is rooted in God’s character and plan for the world.
Q. Doesn’t the Bible give humans dominion over the earth?
A. While the Bible does grant humanity dominion over the earth, this dominion is not a license for exploitation or abuse. Rather, it carries the responsibility of stewardship. This is serving and protecting God’s creation in a way that reflects His character.
Q. Aren’t there more important issues than the environment?
A. There are certainly many pressing issues in the world. Environmental stewardship is not separate from other concerns. The health of the environment directly impacts human flourishing. As Christians, we are called to care for all aspects of God’s creation, including the natural world.
Q. Isn’t the earth going to be destroyed anyway?
A. The Bible does not teach that the earth will be destroyed but rather transformed and redeemed. The same way God’s people will be transformed and redeemed. Our hope is not in the destruction of this world but in its redemption and renewal.
Let’s embrace our role as stewards of God’s creation and living out the biblical principles of environmental care. We can honor God and contribute to the flourishing of all His creation.
