Care for Creation

The Earth That Sustains Us

The disconnect between Christian faith and environmental responsibility is a troubling reality. While many Christians express a love for the Creator, this love often fails to translate into concrete action to protect the creation. We need to return to the foundational call of Eden (Gen 2:15), where humanity was entrusted with the sacred duty of caring for the Earth. This call is not merely an afterthought, a footnote in the grand narrative of salvation; it is an integral part of our identity as God’s image-bearers, reflecting His own love and care for all creation.

The WBC states, “[Humankind] rules the world on God’s behalf. This is of course no license for the unbridled exploitation and subjugation of nature. Ancient oriental kings were expected to be devoted to the welfare of their subjects, especially the poorest and weakest members of society (Ps 72:12–14). By upholding divine principles of law and justice, rulers promoted peace and prosperity for all their subjects. Similarly, mankind is here commissioned to rule nature as a benevolent king, acting as God’s representative over them and therefore treating them in the same way as God who created them.^[1]

The Root of the Issue

There are many reasons people both within and outside the Christian faith have slacked in their duty to creation care.

The “new heaven and new earth” theology, particularly prevalent in pre-dispensational millennialist circles, can inadvertently foster a sense of detachment from the present Earth. The belief that this world is ultimately destined for a clean slate diminishes the urgency of addressing environmental issues in our present reality. However, this interpretation overlooks a crucial point: we are called to live out Kingdom values now, to be agents of God’s restorative work in the present.

For some, a fear of being associated with secular environmental movements has led some Christians to dismiss environmental concerns altogether. This is a false dichotomy. Caring for the Earth is not inherently a “liberal” or “secular” issue; it’s a matter of obedience to God’s command to be stewards of His creation.

Another factor is the pervasive influence of consumerism, which has warped our culture and values. The constant barrage of advertisements, all promising that material possessions will bring fulfillment, can distract us from what truly matters: a connection with God, a sense of belonging, and a meaningful life.

Costs of Consumption and Carelessness

Our insatiable appetite for consumer goods has far-reaching consequences, extending beyond the environmental impact (a topic for another day). Let’s examine some specific examples:

• Electricity: Coal power plants, a major source of electricity, release mercury into the atmosphere. This neurotoxin contaminates waterways, accumulates in fish, and places humans at risk.[2]
• Mining: The extraction of minerals and metals often involves the use of toxic chemicals, which can leach into the surrounding environment, contaminating water sources and harming wildlife.
• Plastic: Plastic pollution is a global crisis. Microplastics, tiny particles resulting from the breakdown of plastic waste, have been found in everything from sea creatures to drinking water to human blood.

These few examples highlight the interconnectedness of environmental health, the animal kingdom, and human well-being. Our actions have consequences, not just for the planet, but also for ourselves and future generations.

Returning to Our Original Role

In the pristine garden of Eden, God placed humanity, not as conquerors or exploiters, but as stewards, entrusted with the responsibility to work it and take care of it (Gen 2:15). This mandate, issued at the dawn of creation, reminds us that our relationship with the Earth is not one of exploitation but of partnership. We are called to cultivate and nurture, to protect and preserve the delicate balance of life that God has woven into the fabric of the planet.  

This call to stewardship is not a peripheral concern, an optional add-on for “tree huggers”; it is deeply embedded in the core of our faith. It flows from the very character of God, who, as Psalms 24:1 declares, “the earth is the LORD’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it”. As His image-bearers, we are called to reflect His loving care for creation, to be His hands and feet in the world (1 Cor 12:27-28), tending to the needs of the Earth and all its inhabitants.

God granted man dominion over creation (Gen 1:28). It involves authority over all created things, including animals and natural resources; it encompasses responsibilities such as nurturing, improving, and wisely managing the creation.[3] Dominion is not about exploitation, but rather about responsible stewardship, with man supporting God and creation.[4]

With this original stewardship responsibility in mind, I want us to return to one of the points above, namely plastic. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a massive accumulation of debris located between Hawaii and California, spanning an area at least the size of Texas and potentially even larger; it is estimated to contain approximately 1.8 trillion pieces of rubbish.[5][6] Humans have been polluting the sea, dumping approximately 8 million metric tons of plastic into the world’s oceans annually. The environmental impact is severe: birds, turtles, and sea animals become entangled in the debris or mistake it for food. About one in ten sea creatures ends up with plastic in their stomachs, and the amount of plastic in this area has increased a hundredfold in the past forty years, causing significant ecosystem harm. Annually, as many as 1 million seabirds and 10,000 other sea animals die in or because of this garbage patch.[7] This environmental degradation is seen by some as a consequence of human sin, with the natural world suffering from our disrupted stewardship – a situation that is not the way things are supposed to be.[8]

Paul Wright echoes a similar sentiment, as a consequence of human sin, the environment – which was originally created clean and pure – has become subject to various forms of pollution, rendering lands, rivers, streams, and seas unfit for their intended purpose. “The earth and its resources belong to God (Ps. 24:1) yet have been entrusted to people (Gen. 1:28–29; 9:1–4), who have a sacred responsibility to care for the earth with the same diligence that God cares for it (Deut. 11:12).”^[9] When we are out of harmony with our role as stewards, we suffer, the whole earth and all creation suffers.

Reorienting Goalposts

Our actions reflect the worldview we hold. If we perceive we are blessed by God and that is why we have significant sums of money and a right to fill our oversized homes with too many things, then we will live into that. If we instead consider that we are called to a place of contentment, to seek deep relationships, and to foster healthy families, then it will help us be in the world, but not of the world (John 17:14-18 ; 1 John 2:15–17). We must choose a counter-narrative, focusing on loving people deeply, reducing suffering, and fostering a heart of gratitude as our aim.

Redefining success helps us see that becoming truly successful lies in fostering meaningful relationships, a peaceful spirit, and a life filled with abundant joy. Success flourishes when everyone is welcome, safe, included, and able to thrive. Joy emerges not from pursuing personal pleasure, but from being open to others and connecting beyond oneself. Max Anders shares that, “When Christ asks me to regard another person as more important than myself, what he wants is to give me deep, satisfying relationships with others. The harm he wants to keep from me is the barrenness of loneliness.”^[10] Once we are truly content, we can see the empty promises of needing to consume as the sham that it is.

The Idolatry of Consumerism

The consumerist culture that pervades much of the modern world poses a significant challenge to environmental stewardship. Consumerism, promoted by commercial interests, permeates society and influences people’s desires and values, often turning wants into perceived needs.[11] The relentless pursuit of material possessions, the constant bombardment of advertising messages promising fulfillment through consumption, can subtly erode our sense of contentment and gratitude, leading us to prioritize material possessions over spiritual values.

This insatiable appetite for “more” has fueled a global economic system built on the premise of endless growth, a system that often prioritizes profit over people, animals, and/or the planet. The consequences are evident in the environmental degradation, social inequality, and relational emptiness that plague our world.

To counter this consumerist mindset, we must rediscover the Kingdom principles of contentment, simplicity, and generosity. We must learn to find joy in experiences rather than possessions, to value quality over quantity, and to share our resources with those in need.

This is not a call to asceticism or deprivation; it is a call to freedom, to liberation from the bondage of empty materialism and the insatiable hunger for more. It is a call to align our lives with the values of the Kingdom, where true wealth is measured not by material possessions but by the richness of our relationships, the depth of our faith, and the impact we have on the lives of others.

The satisfaction promised after consumption turns out to be illusory because the desires promoted must be insatiable in order to sustain the markets that depend upon them.^[12] Patrick Mitchel shares that, from a theological perspective, consumerism is seen as “profoundly at odds with the gospel of Jesus Christ”, instead creating a “gospel” that creates manufactured discontent.^[13] It operates by bombarding individuals with idealized images that generate a sense of personal lack, compelling people to seek “salvation” through purchasing, with the underlying message that “better” is always just another purchase away.^[14]

Loving Our Neighbor, Near and Far

The call to environmental stewardship is inextricably linked to the command to love our neighbor. This love transcends geographical boundaries, extending to all members of the global community, both present and future. When we pollute the air and water, deplete natural resources, and disrupt the delicate balance of ecosystems, we are not only harming the planet but also harming our fellow human beings.

Craig S. Keener states plainly, “Environmental degradation ultimately harms not only the rest of creation but also people, starting with the poor, even in the short run. While many environmentalists focus on the problem of global warming, a far more immediate threat is water-born diseases in unsafe drinking water, which kills over three million children each year.”^[15]

Consider the plight of communities living near polluting industries, their health compromised by contaminated air and water. Drought and unpredictable weather patterns, driven by climate change, are a challenge for farmers and many indigenous communities. Infertility from environmental pollution and other factors affects couples, with infertility nearly doubling in China over the past decade, affecting nearly one in five couples.[16] Loss of habitat and environmental destruction are causing one of the highest global extinction rates in human history.[17]

These are not distant, abstract problems; they are the lived realities of our neighbors, our fellow creation. To love them is to care for their well-being, to advocate for justice, and to work towards a world where all can thrive.

Craig S. Keener adds that, theologically, the earth is considered God’s creation, and those who devastate it are seen as challenging divine rule.^[18] Environmental stewardship, then, is not merely an act of conservation; it is an act of love, a tangible expression of our love for God and our commitment to the well-being of our neighbors, both near and far.

Embracing a Compassionate Lifestyle

The call for sustainability challenges the prevailing consumerist culture. It requires us to rethink our priorities, to value experiences over possessions, and to find contentment in simplicity. This shift in mindset can be profoundly liberating, freeing us from the relentless pursuit of “more” and allowing us to focus on what truly matters.

Here are some practical steps we can take to embrace a more sustainable lifestyle:

• Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Minimize waste by prioritizing reusable products, repairing items instead of discarding them, and recycling whenever possible.
• Support Local and Sustainable Businesses: Choose businesses that prioritize ethical sourcing, fair labor practices, and environmentally friendly production methods.
• Invest in Quality over Quantity: Purchase durable, high-quality items that will last, rather than cheap, disposable goods.
• Embrace Minimalism: Declutter your home and simplify your life by focusing on what brings you joy and purpose.
• Eat Plant-Based: Opting for a plant-based diet can improve health while also lessening environmental harm and animal suffering.
• Advocate for Change: Advocate for policies that protect the environment and promote sustainability. Engage in creation care initiatives and become a voice for environmental justice.

Even small changes, when adopted by many, can have a significant impact. “If we take shorter showers, car pool, or plant a tree, no one necessarily notices or thanks us. But if we do these things as acts of service to God and of protection for our neighbors, then we grow as loving, spiritual beings. Love is the great hope the church offers the environmental movement.”^[19]

A Final Thought

By embracing environmental stewardship, we can offer a powerful witness to the world. We can show that faith and environmental responsibility are not mutually exclusive, but rather complementary expressions of our love for God and His creation. John Walton states that we are called to be caretakers of God’s world, serving as vice-regents charged with maintaining a sacred space, without room for exploitation or abuse.[20]

I am asking us to challenge the prevailing consumerist/convenience culture and point toward a better way, one that honors God, cares for creation, and promotes justice for all. A reorientation of values, a shift from self-centeredness to other-centeredness, from exploitation to stewardship, from consumerism to contentment. This is not an easy path, but it is a path that leads to true fulfillment, to a life of purpose and meaning rooted in our relationship with God and our commitment to the well-being of all creation. It is a path that reflects the heart of the Gospel, a message of love, justice, and reconciliation that extends to all of creation.

Kenneth Gavel in Care of Creation describes our task:

God privileges us to be coworkers in the ministry of reconciliation (1 Cor. 3:9; 2 Cor. 5:16–20). . . . To this end, God has endowed us with intelligence through his creative design; empowered us with love through his re-creating Spirit; and included us in a community of communities—with God, with humanity, and with all nature, through all of whom he diffuses shalom. Our participation in creation care is a practical extension of our responsibility to bring the good news of redemption and rescue to as much of creation as possible. Creation care is compassion in action, our participation in extending God’s intended harmony to all corners of his good creation.^[21]

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^[1] Gordon J. Wenham, Genesis 1–15, vol. 1, Word Biblical Commentary (Dallas: Word, Incorporated, 1987), 33.

[2] Vincent J. Miller, The Theological and Ecological Vision of Laudato Si’: Everything Is Connected (New York, NY: T&T Clark, 2017), 67.

[3] David Guzik, Psalms, David Guzik’s Commentaries on the Bible (Santa Barbara, CA: David Guzik, 2013), Ps 8:6–9.

[4] Francis A. Schaeffer, Genesis in Space and Time (InterVarsity Press Academic, 1972), 48.

[5] Betsy Painter, Muti, A Christian’s Guide to Planet Earth: Why It Matters and How to Care for It (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2022).

[6] Holtam Nicholas, Sleepers Wake: Getting Serious About Climate Change: The Archbishop of York’s Advent Book 2022 (London, United Kingdom: SPCK Publishing, 2022). 

[7] Louie Giglio and Nicola Anderson, How Great Is Our God: 100 Indescribable Devotions About God and Science (Nashville, TN: Tommy Nelson, 2019), 172–173.

[8] Bradley Baurain, On Waiting Well: Moving from Endurance to Enjoyment When You’re Waiting on God (Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2020). 

^[9] Paul H. Wright, “Pollution,” in Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, ed. Chad Brand et al. (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2003), 1310.

^[10] Max Anders, Galatians-Colossians, vol. 8, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999), 231.

[11] Richard Bauckham, The Bible in the Contemporary World: Hermeneutical Ventures (Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge, U.K.: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2015), 38.

^[12] D. L. Clough, “Consumerism,” in New Dictionary of Theology: Historical and Systematic, ed. Martin Davie et al. (London; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press; InterVarsity Press, 2016), 209.

^[13] Patrick Mitchel, The Message of Love: The Only Thing That Counts, ed. Derek Tidball, The Bible Speaks Today (London: Inter-Varsity Press, 2019), 262.

^[14] Patrick Mitchel, The Message of Love: The Only Thing That Counts, ed. Derek Tidball, The Bible Speaks Today (London: Inter-Varsity Press, 2019), 262-263.

^[15] Craig S. Keener, Revelation, The NIV Application Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1999), 308.

[16] Feng, Rui, and Bin Chen. “Environmental Risks and Infertility in China.” Science 383, no. 6680 (January 19, 2024): 267–68. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.adn3214.

[17] Jane Goodall and Marc Bekoff, The Ten Trusts: What We Must Do to Care for The Animals We Love (HarperOne, 2023).

^[18] Craig S. Keener, Revelation, The NIV Application Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1999), 308.

^[19] Nancy Sleeth with Matthew, “A Call to Action,” in Care of Creation: Christian Voices on God, Humanity, and the Environment, ed. Joseph Coleson (Indianapolis, IN: WPH, 2010), 192.

[20] John H. Walton, The Lost World of Adam and Eve: Genesis 2–3 and the Human Origins Debate (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic: An Imprint of InterVarsity Press, 2015), 207.

^[21] Kenneth F. Gavel, “God’s Constant Care of the Universe,” in Care of Creation: Christian Voices on God, Humanity, and the Environment, ed. Joseph Coleson (Indianapolis, IN: WPH, 2010), 67–68.