The concept of the environment, while not explicitly named in the Bible, is deeply interwoven with the scriptural narrative of creation, stewardship, and the relationship between God, humanity, and the natural world. The environment encompasses all of God's creation, including the earth, its ecosystems, and all living creatures. The Bible provides foundational principles for understanding the environment and humanity's role within it.

Creation and the Natural World

The Bible begins with the account of creation, where God is depicted as the Creator of the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1 states, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." This establishes God's sovereignty over all creation and sets the stage for humanity's interaction with the environment. The creation narrative in Genesis 1 describes how God created the world in six days, culminating in the creation of humanity in His image (Genesis 1:26-27). The natural world is declared "very good" (Genesis 1:31), reflecting God's perfect design and purpose.

Humanity's Role and Stewardship

Humanity is given a unique role in relation to the environment. In Genesis 1:28, God blesses humanity and commands them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth." This mandate, often referred to as the "Cultural Mandate," implies a responsibility to govern and care for creation. The term "subdue" and "rule" suggest authority, but this authority is to be exercised with wisdom and care, reflecting God's own character.

The concept of stewardship is further emphasized in Genesis 2:15, where God places Adam in the Garden of Eden "to work it and take care of it." This indicates that humanity's role is not one of exploitation but of nurturing and preserving the environment. The biblical principle of stewardship calls for responsible management of the earth's resources, recognizing that the earth belongs to God (Psalm 24:1).

The Fall and Its Impact on the Environment

The fall of humanity, as described in Genesis 3, introduces sin into the world, affecting not only human relationships but also the environment. The ground is cursed because of Adam's disobedience, resulting in thorns and thistles (Genesis 3:17-18). This signifies a disruption in the harmony between humanity and the natural world, leading to toil and struggle.

Redemption and Restoration

The Bible speaks of a future restoration of creation. Romans 8:19-22 describes creation as "groaning" and "subjected to futility," awaiting liberation from its "bondage to decay." This passage highlights the hope of redemption not only for humanity but for the entire created order. The prophetic vision in Isaiah 11:6-9 portrays a restored creation where harmony is restored among all creatures.

Environmental Ethics and Christian Responsibility

Scripture provides ethical guidelines for how Christians should interact with the environment. Proverbs 12:10 states, "A righteous man regards the life of his animal," suggesting a moral obligation to treat animals and, by extension, the environment with care and respect. The principle of loving one's neighbor (Matthew 22:39) can also be extended to environmental ethics, as environmental degradation often impacts the most vulnerable communities.

Conclusion

The Bible presents a comprehensive view of the environment, emphasizing God's sovereignty, humanity's stewardship, and the hope of future restoration. Christians are called to reflect God's character in their interaction with the environment, exercising responsible stewardship and working towards the flourishing of all creation.Genesis 1:1-31
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
Topicalbible.org

Genesis 1:1
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
Topicalbible.org

Genesis 2:15
And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.
Topicalbible.org

Genesis 1:28
And God blessed them, and God said to them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.
Topicalbible.org

Genesis 2:7
And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
Topicalbible.org

5252. nesibbah -- turn of affairs
... cause. Feminine participle passive of cabab; properly, an environment, ie Circumstance
or turn of affairs -- cause. see HEBREW cabab. 5251, 5252. ...
/hebrew/5252.htm - 6k

Environment.
... ENVIRONMENT. ... These two, Heredity and Environment, are the master-influences
of the organic world. These have made all of us what we are. ...
/.../drummond/natural law in the spiritual world/environment.htm

Ancestry, Birth, Education, Environment: 1513(?)-1546
... CHAPTER I: ANCESTRY, BIRTH, EDUCATION, ENVIRONMENT: 1513(?)-1546. "November
24, 1572. "John Knox, minister, deceased, who had, as ...
/.../lang/john knox and the reformation/chapter i ancestry birth education.htm

After all the Modern Clatter of Calvinism, Therefore, it is Only ...
... Or again, to adopt that rather tiresome terminology of popular science,
it is not a question of heredity but of environment. I will ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 30 after all the.htm

Use what You Have
... Make the best of them. Use Your Environment. ... Are you doing what you can in your present
environment? If you can change your environment for the better, do it. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/naylor/heart talks/talk thirty-eight use what you.htm

June 15:
... 15-Jun. June 15th. Correspondence in any case is the gift of Environment.
The natural Environment gives men their natural faculties ...
//christianbookshelf.org/drummond/beautiful thoughts/june 15 0.htm

July 9:
... No man can select his own parents. But every man to some extent can choose
his own Environment. ... Natural Law, Environment, p.257. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/drummond/beautiful thoughts/july 9 0.htm

June 22:
... 22-Jun. June 22d. All knowledge lies in Environment. When ... impossible. So if I
want to know about Man, I go to his part of the Environment. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/drummond/beautiful thoughts/june 22 0.htm

July 31:
... There, without Environment, the darkness is unutterable. ... No Environment here is
unthinkable. An altar of some sort men must have" God, or Nature, or Law. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/drummond/beautiful thoughts/july 31 0 0.htm

December 10:
... Even if they were perfect in their relation to their Environment, they would still
not be Eternal. ... An Eternal Life demands an Eternal Environment. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/drummond/beautiful thoughts/december 10 0.htm

April 18:
... 18-Apr. April 18th. The development of any organism in any direction is dependent
on its environment. ... It can only develop in presence of its environment. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/drummond/beautiful thoughts/april 18 0.htm

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