Issues: The Environment

Christian Responses to God's World

When we hear the word 'environment', our first response is often to visualise the scenes of pollution from disasters - usually man-made; to think of animal cruelty, such as fox-hunting and experimentation, and to miss out on the wonder of God's creation ... the beauty, the order, and the marvellous provision for our physical and emotional needs.

Christians recognise and grapple with environmental issues, but start with appreciating God's gift. They seek to ask, 'How does the God of creation want us to look after his planet Earth?'

Christians believe that God created the earth and gave responsibility for using it wisely to human beings, who he also created, to be like himself, creative, caring and in control.

Psalm 8 verse 6 of the Bible says, 'You put us in charge of everything you made,
giving us authority over all things.'

The Christian response to God's creation is thankfulness and celebration, especially at harvest-time. Throughout the world, much of the Christian church is made up of farmers, fishermen and workers involved with the natural world, whose lives are closely linked to God's provision of their needs.

Many Christian places of worship are decorated with flowers for worship services. Hymns and songs over hundreds of years celebrate God's creation. Prayers recall the wonderful world he has made, as well as many of the Psalms from the Bible, which may be prayed or sung.

Psalm 147 verses 7 - 9 of the Bible says:

'Sing out your thanks to the LORD;
sing praises to our God, accompanied by harps.
He covers the heavens with clouds,
provides rain for the earth,
and makes the green grass grow in mountain pastures.
He feeds the wild animals,
and the young ravens cry to him for food.'

The Bible teaches Christians to respond responsibly as well as thankfuly. It calls human beings stewards or representatives. Genesis chapter 1 verse 28 of the Bible says,

'God blessed them and told them, "Multiply and fill the earth and subdue it. Be masters over the fish and birds and all the animals." And God said, "Look! I have given you the seed-bearing plants throughout the earth and all the fruit trees for your food. And I have given all the grasses and other green plants to the animals and birds for their food." '

God's intentions were:

• to provide for all his creation, people and animals
• for human beings to populate and use the earth fully
• to give human beings control - responsibility.

All life has a God-given purpose, and to fulfil this, Christians believe, we need to have God's attitude - creative, caring and controlling the way resources are used to benefit all his creation.

However, the Bible shows that selfishness - called sin - brought, and still brings, abuse, pollution and problems. It puts greed and pride before love and obedience. This is shown in Genesis, where man's disobedience to God's instructions resulted in pollution. Genesis chapter 3 verses 18 - 19 of the Bible says:

'(The ground) will grow thorns and thistles for you, though you will eat of its grains. All your life you will sweat to produce food.'

Resting for one day in seven was part of God's plan for human beings to be healthy. He also gave instructions to the Jews about rest for the environment, especially for the land for growing crops on. In Exodus chapter 23 verses 10 - 11 the Bible says:

'Plant and harvest your crops for six years, but let the land rest and lie fallow during the seventh year. Then let the poor among you harvest any volunteer crop that may come up. Leave the rest for the animals to eat. The same applies to your vineyards and olive groves.'

In times of warfare, instructions were given to conserve fruit trees. In Deuteronomy chapter 20 verse 19 the Bible says:

'When you are besieging a town and the war drags on, do not destroy the trees. Eat the fruit, but do not cut down the trees. They are not enemies that need to be attacked!'

And it was especially emphasised that animals should be cared for. In Proverbs chapter 12 verse 10 the Bible says:

'The Godly are concerned for the welfare of their animals.'

and in Deuteronomy chapter 25 verse 4 it says:

'Do not keep an ox from eating as it treads out the grain.'

When the Jews disobeyed or were disloyal to God, his prophets (messengers inspired to make clear God's thoughts in situations) often pointed out that disasters had come or would come. Joel was one; in Joel chapter 1 verses 11 - 12 of the Bible he said:

'Despair, all you farmers! Wail, all you vine growers! Weep, because the wheat and barley - yes, all the field crops - are ruined. The grapevines and the fig trees have all withered. The pomegranate trees, palm trees, and apple trees - yes, all the fruit trees - have dried up. All joy has dried up with them.'