In the Apostles’ Creed, Christians profess belief in “God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and Earth.” And yet, as some will point out, worshiping the Creator has not always resulted in caring for God’s creation.
Lynn White famously popularized Christian culpability in environmental exploitation, and many have since toed his line. Though his thesis has been discredited by many historians of science and thought, it remains firmly entrenched in the common mindset — that Christianity not only does not promote environmental care, it, in fact, supports the exploitation and degradation of the earth.
Not true. The Bible does not support the exploitation of creation. Oh, people have misinterpreted and abused the words of Scripture to excuse personal greed. But the truth is, the Bible teaches human responsibility to care for God’s creation. Humans — God’s images on Earth — were created so that the Earth would flourish. And humans are answerable to the Creator for their stewardship of God’s earth.
Have Christians been on the forefront of environmental stewardship? No, to our shame, we haven’t. Have Christians ignored their own Scriptures on creation care? Unfortunately, yes, some have. Do Christians need to repent and ask the Creator’s forgiveness for the mess we’ve made? Yes, absolutely. And a growing number of Christians are taking critical steps of repentance and action for the sake of God’s world. Following Jesus, more and more people are integrating care for the poor, the fight against social injustices and stewardship of God’s creation into a dynamic Christian spirituality.
We care for creation in obedience to the Holy Christian Scriptures. When Christians act against their own story, arguing that the Bible supports exploitation, they should be challenged biblically. The “rule” of Genesis 1:26 is loving stewardship, not ruthless domination. God created this amazing world and gave humans responsibility, under him, to nurture and sustain it. God is so committed to creation that he became part of his creation in Jesus. God will not abandon it. And while we have messed things up, we are still responsible and response-able. As Christians, we must partner with others concerned with creation, confident that we are being faithful as our Creator’s earth-keeping images.
If you are a Christian, what keeps you from faithful stewardship of God’s creation? Have you been reading your Bible obediently or evasively? If you are of another faith or no faith, are you willing to read up on the Christian basis of creation care and then challenge your Christian friends from their own scriptures? Bringing this out in the open may make for some interesting conversations!
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and Earth. And I believe God placed his precious and yet broken and groaning world into our hands. God hasn’t taken that responsibility back; we are still God’s Earth keepers. It’s time to be the loving caretakers God created us to be, to God’s glory and for the sake of God’s good Earth.
Tom Greentree pastors the Erickson Covenant Church and lives with his family on a small Canyon farm. Always willing to dialogue, you can interact with him at www.ericksoncovenant.ca.