Care for the Environment

Care for the Environment in Christian Ethics

Fundamental Beliefs in Christianity on Environmental Stewardship

  • Understanding Christian stewardship begins with Genesis 2:15, which calls upon humans to ‘work the land and keep it’.

  • The principle of ‘dominion’ given in Genesis 1:26-28 encourages Christians to see themselves as caretakers rather than owners of the Earth.

  • The Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30) is often interpreted as an instruction to wisely use and improve upon the gifts God has given, including the environment.

Scriptural Evidence Supporting Care for the Environment

  • Psalms 24:1 declares that ‘The Earth is the Lord’s and everything in it’. This reminds Christians that God is the true owner of the Earth.

  • In Revelation 11:18, God promises to destroy those who harm the Earth, lending significant weight to Christian environmental ethics.

  • The Book of Numbers (35:33-34) warns against defiling the land, fortifying the commandment to look after the environment.

Christian Teachings and Practices for Environmental Care

  • Many Christians practise simple living, reducing their consumption and waste in order to lessen their environmental impact.

  • Christian organisations like A Rocha and the Catholic Climate Covenant actively work towards environmental conservation and climate justice.

  • Several Christian denominations have issued official statements on the importance of environmental stewardship, which guide the behaviours of their followers.

Theological Perspectives on the Environment

  • Liberation theologians argue that Christian solidarity with the poor also requires environmental activism, as climate change disproportionately harms impoverished communities.

  • An incarnational view of Christ’s life argues that God values the physical world, suggesting it deserves care and respect.

  • Eschatological views can also have significant environmental implications, with some Christians arguing for the careful stewardship of the Earth in anticipation of its eventual renewal by God.