In a time when we are inundated with competing claims regarding the ways in which humans use and misuse the environment, the Bible offers clear principles that can serve as a framework for Christians as they consider issues around creation care.

God created an interconnected world, and God called it good. Our dynamic ecosystems reveal the greatness of God’s creation. The cycles of day and night push and pull the tides between water and land, steering the precipitation and light that nourish the lush plants which then in turn feed creatures of the sea, sky and land. Even before the birth of humanity, at each stage of the development of creation, God marveled at the creation and called it good (Genesis 1:1 – 2:4).

Humans are stewards of God’s creation

Humans have an important role in caring for the earth. In Genesis 1, God makes humans in God’s image, saying, “Have a lot of children! Fill the earth with people and bring it under your control. Rule over the fish in the ocean, the birds in the sky, and every animal on the earth”. God said, “Now we will make humans, and they will be like us. We will let them rule the fish, the birds, and all other living creatures.” So God created humans to be like himself; he made men and women. (Genesis 1:26-27, CEV). The phrase “let them rule” is translated from the Hebrew word radah. Radah is used in other places in the Bible to reflect on the compassionate, self- sacrificing rule of a benevolent leader (Leviticus 25:43, 46, 53; 1 Kings 4:24; Psalms 68:27, 72:8; 110:2). This concept of leadership is consistent with God’s design for humans in Genesis 2. In this version of the creation story, God creates all earth creatures—animals and human—from the same soil, and places the human in the garden “take care of it and to look after it” (Genesis 2:4-15, CEV).

To “look after” the garden is to keep from exploiting the earth’s land and waters, its people and its creatures. The Hebrew Scriptures offer clear direction for sustainable agriculture (Exodus 23:10-11, Leviticus 19:9-20, 25:2-7, 26:3-4, 24-25, 33-35, Deuteronomy 25:4). Even in times of war, maintaining the health of the ecosystem influences battle strategies: “When you are attacking a town, don't chop down its fruit trees, not even if you have had the town surrounded for a long time. Fruit trees aren't your enemies, and they produce food that you can eat, so don't cut them down” (Deuteronomy 20:19, CEV).

God is immanent in and revealed through the natural world.

God walks through Eden (Genesis 3:8), speaks through fire, clouds and whirlwind (Exodus 3:2, 16:10, Job 38-39), fills the earth (Jeremiah 23:23-24), and descends like a dove (Matthew 3:16). The heavens and earth, the sea and the fish, the mountains and hills and birds and wild animals all sing praises to God (Psalms 19:1, 96:11-13, 148:3-10). Those who doubt God’s wisdom and power can simply consult God’s creatures: “If you want to learn, then go and ask the wild animals and the birds, the flowers and the fish. Any of them can tell you what the Lord has done. Every living creature is in the hands of God” (Job 12:7-10, CEV).

The whole earth yearns for redemption

Paul says God’s redemption is meant for all of creation: “In fact, all creation is eagerly waiting for God to show who his children are ... God made it this way in the hope that creation would be set free from decay and would share in the glorious freedom of his children. We know that all creation is still groaning and is in pain…” (Romans 8:19-22, CEV). The creation is groaning indeed with the burdens of exploitation, over development and climate change. Yet the good news of Christ’s salvation is truly for all. Mark says: “Go and preach the good news to everyone in the world.” (Mark 16:15, CEV). This proclamation is to share God’s desire for reconciliation with all beings: “And God was pleased for him to make peace by sacrificing his blood on the cross, so that all beings in heaven and on earth would be brought back to God” (Colossians 1:20, CEV).

We are called to care for the earth now.

While we trust in the hope of God’s ultimate healing for the brokenness of the world, including that of creation, we also must tend to the creation now. In 2007, the United Nations scientific panel studying climate change described what poor stewards we have been, citing drastic changes to the earth’s ecosystems and climates. These changes are not only causing the extinction of plants and animals, they will also have a grave impact on the world’s poorest people. Because we are interconnected with all of creation, when we degrade that creation, we hurt ourselves and we cut ourselves off from God.

Degradation of the environment is antithetical to God’s work. Like farmers in the field, we are called not only to plant seeds, but to grow them. In the Parable of the Talents, Jesus teaches that humans are called to do more than simply conserve God’s resources—rather, they are to help them flourish and increase (Matthew 25:14-30). People of faith must fully commit themselves to caring for the land and helping all of creation to flourish until the master returns.

Jenny Phillips is Coordinator for Continuing Education and Academic Outreach at Drew University Theological School in Madison, NJ, and she writes resources for outdoor ministries and churches. She has a Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary in New York, NY.