The Bible and the environment
Genesis 1:1 - The world is God’s creation. It is a good creation, and God “was pleased with what he saw”. This phrase is repeated 6 times.
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1
“…and God looked as everything he had made and he was very pleased.” Genesis 1:31
Stewardship – humans were put on the planet to look after it on behalf of God.
Genesis 1-3. God put Adam in the Garden of Eden to look after it on behalf of God. Humans were created in the image of God, and told to be stewards of the earth – caretakers. God put humans in charge of all living things, to look after God’s belongings, not abuse them.
“God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to till it and keep it.” Genesis 2:15
“You made him ruler of everything you made; you appointed him over all creation.” Psalm 8:6
Human disobedience and sin is the reason why the earth is being abused. Adam and Eve (all humans) deliberately disobeyed God and his laws. They gave into temptation and did what they be wanted. As a result destruction was brought to the Garden of Eden and sin and death entered into the world.
The following two phrases have often been used as an excuse to exploit the planet:
- Human beings “will have power over the fish, the birds, and all the animals” – Genesis 1:26
- God told humans “have many children so they their descendants will live all over the earth, and bring it under their control. I’m putting you in charge over the fishes, the birds at your wild animals.”
But this is wrong. Humans are to be stewards of God’s creation, not abusers! However, these 2 passages do show that humans are special, because they are made in the image of God, and can have a relationship with Him.
Many of the psalms praise God for the creation of the world…
The earth is the lords, and everything in it. Psalm 24:1
“The heavens declare the glory of the Lord” Psalm 19:1-4
In this Psalm, the writer looks at the night sky, and thinks about the enormous privilege and responsibility stewardship is! The writer believes..
- Heavens and the earth were created by God.
- Humans are special to God because they are stewards of Creation – they look after it for God.
When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him?…. You made him ruler over the works of your hands. Psalm 8:3-6
God loves and cares for the whole world - not just humans
Christians often thought that God made the world solely for them! But this is not found in the Bible.
Noah and the Flood, Genesis 9. God saved both humans and animals – not just humans.
After the flood, God made a covenant (agreement) with humans and all living beings.
10 commandments – Deuteronomy 5:12-14 – every week, all animals must have a day of rest – not just humans. Even the land must have a rest every seven years…
“The seventh year is to be a Year of complete rest of the land” Leviticus 25:4
Some of the Old Testament rules are about good stewardship
e.g., there are rules about harvesting. In Old Testament times, “gleaning” was common. After a field had been harvested, any grain which had fallen on the ground or had been missed by the harvest has was left for the poor who would be allowed to go and collect it for their use.
“When you’re harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf (some wheat), do not go back and get it. Leave it for the foreigner, the orphan and the widow, so that the lord your God may bless you.” Deuteronomy 24:19-22
This reminds people not to take every last scrap for themselves; they should make sure they leave something behind for the people who will come after them.
“The land is mine……..you are my tenants.” Leviticus 25:19-22
The New Testament: there are passages which show the belief that God created every living thing……
“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or stow away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” Jesus, Matthew 6:26-29
However, the New Testament says that through his death, Jesus brought the whole of Creation back to God, not just humans.
“Through the Son, God decided to bring the whole universe back to himself. Of make peace through his son’s death from across and so brought back to himself all things, both on earth and in heaven. “ Colossians 1:20
The early Christians used to share their resources with each other.
“The group of believers was one in mind and heart. None of them said that any other belongings were their own, but they all shared with one another everything they had …there was no one in the group who was in need. Those who owned fields or houses would sell them, bring the money received from the sale …and the money was distributed to each one according to his need.” Acts 4:32-25
