That's how I understand it, too, but the evangelical folks pointed me to other ideas, such as Noah's flood (I'm guessing that could be used as an argument against certain effects of global warming, based on the promise never to flood the Earth again). I fascinated by this whole subject, obviously, and will probably continue to get in trouble...In Genesis 1, we’re commanded to “fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth” and to have “every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed … for food” (Gen 1:28-29). Many would take this to mean that we are given the earth to do with what we please. However, we are not given dominion over all creatures so that we can carelessly destroy them; but rather our dominion arrangement is one where we are to be stewards of creation.
A “steward” is defined as one who manages another’s property, finances, or other affairs. In essence, we are given the earth to manage on behalf of the Lord. Does this mean that we have the right to do as we please and to deplete Creation of its resources? No. That would challenge the role of what it is to be a steward because we would not be managing Creation correctly. Rather, we should be in consultation with the Lord (i.e. P-R-A-Y-E-R) over how we should proceed in matters such as energy consumption, land usage, and the removal of natural resources from the earth. That would be responsible stewardship.
Categories: christian, faith, environmentalism, stewardship, creationcare
