CHRISTIANS AND THE
ENVIRONMENT
By Jonathan
Skinner
BATH, UK (ANS) -- With
the environment at the center of so many people’s agendas these days,
and with many in our society connecting in with this, Christians need
to have a well thought-out response. What is a proper biblical
conception of the Earth and all of creation?
The creation account in Genesis includes the refrain “and God saw that
it was good,” which indicates that creation does not exist just for
what humanity can get out of it, but has value in God’s eyes. The Bible
clearly tells us that we have a responsibility to rule over creation in
terms of tending and caring for it. Genesis 1: 26 informs us: God said,
“Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over
the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over livestock, over all
the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”
Later, the first humans are explicitly put on earth “to work it and
take care of it.” It is also notable that the move from a state of
harmony in creation to the Fall is symbolized by an act of
environmental disobedience.
Other parts of Scripture build on this foundation. The first covenant
in Genesis is made by God to Noah, his descendants and also to “every
living creature on earth.” Creation is included in the covenant.
Creation care is part of the teaching from God in the Torah, where, for
example, every seventh year the land was allowed to rest, not only to
allow the poor to glean from the fields but also to let the land rest
from production. The Psalms add to the picture of a proper relationship
between God, humanity and the rest of creation. Psalm 24 opens with the
ascription, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.” Here is a
powerful affirmation that the earth belongs to God rather than
humankind.
The centrality of Christ in creation is made clear in the New
Testament, where John’s Gospel, reflecting the opening words of
Genesis, reveals that not only God the Father, but also the Word was
present at the beginning of creation. Jesus revealed his mastery of
creation by calming the storm on Galilee. Indeed, in the face of
today’s various claims for lordship, not only for Mother Earth, but
also from a whole plethora of Pagan gods and spirits, we must contend
for the absolute claim of Jesus Christ to be Lord of all, including all
creation. The New Testament reveals that, “He is the image of the
invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things
were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible,
whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were
created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all
things hold together.”
More than all this, the biblical perspective on our planet does not
conclude with it being destroyed, but after this destruction a new
heaven and a new earth being brought into being. It is true that our
present creation will be destroyed by fire, but it is also true that a
new earth will be established. God will re-establish his physical
creation, including the planet earth – we are to be good stewards now,
but realistically recognizing that the Fall of humanity will work
itself out in, first, the ongoing damage of creation and finally, its
destruction. In any biblical perspective on our planet, the effect of
humanity’s rebellion and Fall must be taken seriously. Not only will
fallen human beings tend to misuse and abuse God’s gift of our
environment, but also it needs to be remembered that our environment is
under the curse of God. Although this is the effect of the Fall, we are
not to lose hope, for the present glories of creation will appear pale
in contrast to what will yet be revealed when creation is
re-established. The New Testament puts this in these words: “the whole
creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to
the present time.
Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit,
groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the
redemption of our bodies.” The final future for our recreated planet is
glorious: “The creation awaits in eager expectation for the for the
sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to
frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who
subjected it, in hope that the creation will be liberated from its
bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children
of God.”
In contrast to Materialism, Paganism, and in particular the worship of
Mother Earth, which is so prevalent today, the Bible has a full, clear
and realistic view of our planet. It was created good and reflects
something of the glory of God. We are given a mandate to explore and
care for this creation. The Fall of humanity has damaged and cursed
this world, and yet we are still called to respect it and protect it.
Nevertheless, when the whole world is judged, it will be destroyed. But
this is not the end: God will bring in to being a new heaven and a new
earth – it will all be reborn and redeemed. Our planet is to be honored
because it reflects something of our maker and also because we are
commanded to be responsible stewards. However, rightly honoring it is
very different from worshipping it. To worship the creation but forget
the creator is an utter travesty.
Jonathan Skinner is a minister of Widcombe Baptist
Church, Bath, UK, as well as being a broadcaster and author of the best
selling MTL – More to Life. This is a basic introduction to the
Christian Faith. He can be contacted by e-mail at jonathanskinner@yahoo.co.uk
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