What the Bible Says About the Environment (Creation Care)
In an age increasingly concerned with ecological matters, it is imperative for believers to understand what the Scriptures truly teach about humanity's relationship with the natural world. The Bible, from its very first chapter to its last, presents a consistent narrative of God as the sovereign Creator, humanity as His appointed steward, and creation as a testament to His glory. Far from being a modern invention, the concept of "creation care" is deeply rooted in biblical theology, revealing a profound responsibility entrusted to mankind by the Almighty.
God, the Sovereign Creator
The foundational truth upon which all understanding of creation care rests is that God alone is the Creator and Owner of all things. The universe did not come into being by chance, but by the deliberate, powerful, and wise hand of God. The Bible opens with this majestic declaration:
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
This truth is reiterated throughout Scripture, asserting God's ultimate authority and proprietorship over creation. He formed every creature, every landscape, and every celestial body. As the Psalmist declares, "The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein" (Psalms 24:1). Everything exists for His pleasure and glory, not for man's unfettered exploitation. Paul echoes this in the New Testament, stating that "by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him" (Colossians 1:16). Recognizing God as the Creator establishes the proper perspective for humanity's interaction with the environment: we are not owners, but managers under the ultimate Owner.
Dominion, Not Domination
Immediately after creating man in His own image, God gave a specific mandate:
And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
The word "dominion" (Hebrew: radah) and "subdue" (Hebrew: kabash) have often been misinterpreted as a license for destructive exploitation. However, a careful study of these terms within the biblical context reveals a different meaning. In the ancient Near East, a king's dominion implied benevolent rule, care, and responsibility for his subjects and his kingdom, not tyranny. Man was created in God's image to reflect God's own benevolent rule over creation. This is a call to responsible stewardship, not reckless plunder. It implies managing creation in a way that honours the Creator and sustains its inherent goodness. Just as a good shepherd cares for his flock, leading them to green pastures and still waters, so humanity is called to care for God's creation, ensuring its health and fruitfulness.
Stewardship and Responsibility in the Garden
The concept of responsible dominion is further clarified in Genesis 2:15, where God places Adam in the Garden of Eden:
And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.
The Hebrew verbs "dress" (abad) and "keep" (shamar) are crucial here. Abad means "to work" or "to serve," implying productive labour that enhances and maintains. Shamar means "to keep," "to guard," or "to preserve," suggesting protection and watchful care. This passage explicitly defines humanity's role as that of a gardener, a keeper, a steward. It's an active, caring role, ensuring the flourishing of creation. This is not passive observation, but active engagement that promotes the well-being of the environment, recognizing its intrinsic value as God's handiwork.
The Fall and its Impact on Creation
The entrance of sin into the world through Adam's disobedience had profound consequences, not only for humanity but for all of creation. God cursed the ground because of man's sin:
And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
This curse introduced decay, futility, and hardship into the natural world. The Apostle Paul expounds on this in Romans 8, describing creation's present state:
For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
Creation's groaning is a direct result of the Fall, a reminder of the brokenness that pervades all things. This understanding is vital; it means that while we are called to care for creation, we also recognize its fallen state and the ultimate need for divine redemption. Our efforts are not to "save" the planet from its fallen condition, but to act responsibly within that condition, anticipating the future restoration.
God's Continued Care for Creation
Despite the curse, God's providential care for His creation continues unabated. He sustains all life, providing for the needs of every creature. The Psalms are replete with declarations of God's ongoing involvement in the natural world:
O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches. So is this great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts. There go the ships: there is that leviathan, whom thou hast made to play therein. These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season. That thou givest them they gather: thou openest thine hand, they are filled with good. Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust.
Jesus Himself pointed to God's meticulous care for even the smallest parts of creation, using it to illustrate God's care for humanity:
Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
If God cares so intimately for the birds and the flowers, how much more should humanity, made in His image and given stewardship, demonstrate care for His creation? Our care for creation is, in essence, an imitation of our Creator's own character and a reflection of His ongoing providence.
Redemption and Restoration: Hope for Creation
The biblical narrative does not end with the curse or creation's groaning. It culminates in redemption and restoration. Just as humanity eagerly awaits its full redemption, so too does creation await its liberation:
Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
The ultimate hope for creation is tied to the return of Christ and the establishment of new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness dwells (2 Peter 3:13). This future restoration is depicted in glorious terms, where the natural order is harmonized and the effects of the Fall are undone:
The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
While we await this ultimate restoration, our present creation care efforts are a foretaste of that future reality and an act of worship to the One who will make all things new. They are not an attempt to achieve utopia on earth, but rather a faithful response to God's command and a recognition of His redemptive plan for all things.
Practical Implications for Believers
What then does this biblical framework mean for the daily lives of believers? It implies a call to responsible living and thoughtful interaction with God's world.
- Prudent Resource Management: We should use resources wisely, avoiding waste and seeking sustainability where possible. This includes personal consumption habits, energy use, and waste disposal.
- Respect for Life: The Bible commands kindness to animals (Proverbs 12:10, "A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast"). While man has dominion, it is not a license for cruelty or wanton destruction of animal life.
- Care for the Land: Old Testament laws regarding land use, such as the Sabbath year (Leviticus 25:1-7) and not destroying fruit trees during warfare (Deuteronomy 20:19), demonstrate a principle of allowing the land to rest and preserving its long-term productivity. This speaks to sustainable agricultural practices and responsible land development.
- Advocacy for Justice: Environmental degradation often disproportionately affects the poor and vulnerable. Creation care, therefore, intersects with biblical justice, calling us to speak out against practices that harm both people and the planet.
- Gratitude and Worship: Ultimately, caring for creation is an act of worship. It's a recognition of God's wisdom, power, and goodness displayed in the natural world. Maintaining creation's beauty and health allows it to continue declaring God's glory (Psalms 19:1).
Conclusion
The Bible presents a compelling case for creation care, not as an optional add-on to Christian duty, but as an integral part of our discipleship. It flows from our understanding of God as Creator, our role as His image-bearers and stewards, the impact of the Fall, and the hope of future redemption. Our responsibility is to manage God's creation faithfully, reflecting His character and anticipating the day when all things will be made new. This is not about worshipping creation, but about worshipping the Creator by stewarding what He has entrusted to us, to His glory and for the good of all.