I want to be Biblical.

I try hard not to be either a conservative or a liberal. I don’t try to align my thoughts with any political party. I don’t like to accept any labels the world uses to categorize people, other than I am a follower of Jesus. When I examine politics, current events, economic, scientific, national, or international affairs, I work hard to understand the issues Biblically.

With that introduction, let me address this topic, “How should we look at the enviromnent?” Is it more than a political issue. Is it a Biblical issue?

The truth is obvious if you have read the Bible. Caring for the environment is a Biblical issue.

Obviously, it’s very much a live political issue. Governmental policy keeps changing dramatically depending on the perspectives of leaders. It’s also very much a scientific issue. Studies on environmental issues are regularly produced and are both praised and rejected, usually more on philosoophical or political or economic grounds than on scientific grounds.

Our country is deeply divided on many issues—and the environment is one of them.

Much to my frustration, the American church has responded more from a philosophical or political viewpoint than from a Biblical perspective. Instead of looking to a philosophy or a political party for answers, believers should ask, “What does the Bible teach?”  Then we need to find ways to put that teaching into personal and public policy.

So what does the Bible teach about the environment?

Let’s take a quick summary of key Bible verses. Genesis 1:1 teaches that God created the universe and everything in it. Genesis 1:28-30 gives us the command to use the bounty of the earth for food and to “rule over it.” Genesis 2:15 says that God put mankind into the garden to work it and take care of it. Jeremiah (see 2:7) condemned his nation for defiling the beautiful land that God had given them. Ezekiel (see 34:2-4) prophesied against his nation for profiting from the land and flocks while not taking care of them. Elsewhere (3:18) he condemned them for not caring for the land and water. And many verses (like Psalm 24:1) proclaim that the Earth is the Lord’s. 

It is clear that taking good care of the air, land, and water that God has given us is a Biblical issue.

With that in mind, let’s look at some of the key teachings of the Bible:

• God created everything and it was good.
• Creation is a reflection of God’s glory and goodness.
• The earth—and the things in it—were given for the benefit of man.
• God’s people are to be good “managers” of all of God’s creation, protecting the air, land, water, animals, and natural areas for future generations.
• We are to care for Creation, but we worship the Creator.

Our focus as believers is to worship, love, and serve God. As part of that service, we are to care for His creation.

Unfortunately, it’s obvious today is that we are not being good managers of God’s creation. Our air is dirty, often to the point of being unhealthy. Animals are going extinct at an alarming rate. Oceans are filled with garbage and increasingly with plastics. Natural places are rapidly disappearing. Droughts and shortages of fresh water are impacting human populations. Food shortages due to war, supply issues, poor governmental policy, drought, and many other issues has led to famine in large sections of the world. Increasing demands for energy puts a strain on diminishing resources and adds to extreme climate change. Climate change then adds to the cycle and contributes to drought, famine, extinction, natural disasters, and much more.

It’s time for beievers to accept the Biblical command to care for the land, air, water, animals, and vegetation that God created. It’s not just a political and scientific issue. We are called to be good stewards of God’s Creation.

For too long, we’ve treated it only as a political, personal opinion, or scientific issue.

It’s a Biblical issue.

I think of environmental issues in generational terms. I want my grandchildren and future great grandchildren to inherit an Earth that is well cared for. I want them to enjoy natural places, clean air, and fresh water. I don’t want them to have to deal with the garbage from my generation. I want them to be able to see wildlife and native vegetation. I want them to know that previous generations left then an Earth that was well cared for.

What can we do?

• Encourage leaders and vote for leaders who will look long-term and make decisions that will benefit our great-grandchildren. Historically, conservatives lobbied for national parks, good land-use principles, and decisions that would make the air and water cleaner for our children. More recently, liberals have led that charge. Putting political labels on the environment is harmful. It’s not a liberal or conservative issue. We need to do what the Bible teaches and what’s right for future generations.
• Churches need to be unafraid to teach on the issue. When I do so, I hear complaints that I am “liberal” or “progressive” or even “woke.” I don’t like to use those labels for a Biblical issue. Taking care of the environment is Biblical, so we need to teach it.
• Families and individuals need to make good choices. We can reduce the use of plastic disposables. We can use less gasoline. (I’ve given up on drive-throughs. Getting out and walking is better for me and the environment.)  We can reduce water use—very important where I live in the desert. We can reduce energy usage by allowing more temperature fluctuation in our homes. We can keep cars, clothes, furniture, electronics, etc., longer rather than trashing something that is still usable. We can choose sustainable over unsustainable energy and products.
• We can read “good science” rather than making up our minds on what we read or listen to on the internet. The environment is one of many issues in which false and misleading statements are everywhere. Be skeptical on what is “good” or “bad” until you’ve done research.

Let me add a word of caution. There are many in the environmental movement who worship creation. I do not. Instead, I worship the Creator. As part of that I want to care for His creation. That important distinction has kept me from joining some of the more prominent environmental organizations.

I see myself as a believer in the Creator, so it is part of my responsibility to care for His creation.