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Biblical basis of creation care
The Biblical Basis of Creation CareThe Bible begins with God's love for all He has created. It is all 'very good'. People are just one part of that goodness, but are also given a special task – to be 'God's image', by looking after the earth and its creatures1.
Yet we have failed at every turn – in disobeying God, in turning against each other, and in damaging the earth. Each of these realtionships – with God, fellow humans, and creation –are now distorted2. Through the Old Testament, we can trace the sad tale of human beings constantly failing – not only morally and spiritually, but in caring for the land.
However, God never gives up on his world. The Psalms point out how creation still reveals God's majesty3. From Noah onwards, there are hints that, beyond judgement, God has good plans for the whole creation. The rainbow becomes a sign of God's covenant with 'every living creature'4.
In the coming of Jesus Christ, this theme of hope reaches its climax. Not only is creation the source of Jesus' parables, but he himself is the 'new Adam'. His death and resurrection bring about the possibility of healing the broken relationships. St Paul writes that Jesus is the one 'by whom and for whom all things were made' and also that, through his death on the cross, 'all things, whether on earth or in heaven' can be restored into fellowship with God5.
Caring for creation is not an optional extra for Christians, but part of:
worship – for all things were made for Jesus
discipleship – because the earth is the Lord's, not ours6, and
mission – sharing the good news with the whole creation7.
Jesus' resurrection gives us the sure hope that one day all things can be transformed and made new.
Genesis 1.26–28 & 2.15
Genesis 3, esp. 17–19
e.g. Psalm 104
Genesis 9.1–17
Colossians 1.15–20
Psalm 24.1
Mark 16.15