Environmentalism
Environmentalism from a Christian Worldview
Christians have a biblical responsibility to care for God’s creation. God created the earth and everything in it, and He entrusted mankind with the responsibility to exercise dominion over His creation. (Genesis 1:26-28; 2:15)
Biblical stewardship, however, is different from environmentalism when environmentalism becomes rooted in a worldview that places nature above human beings, treats creation as sacred, or looks to human government and technological control as the ultimate solutions to environmental problems.
Christians should therefore take legitimate environmental concerns seriously while evaluating environmental claims, proposed solutions, and underlying assumptions through the lens of Scripture.
Biblical Worldview Principles
God owns the earth. Creation belongs to God, not to mankind. (Psalm 24:1)
Human beings have been given dominion. Dominion involves responsible management of God’s creation, not careless destruction. (Genesis 1:26-28)
Creation is valuable because God made it. God’s creation is repeatedly described as good. (Genesis 1)
Creation must not become an object of worship. Scripture distinguishes the Creator from His creation. (Romans 1:25)
Environmental claims should be evaluated carefully. Christians should examine evidence and assumptions rather than accepting popular claims uncritically. (1 Thessalonians 5:21)
Stewardship should serve human flourishing. Biblical stewardship recognizes both the value of creation and the unique dignity of human beings made in God’s image.
Christian Environmental and Creation-Care Resources
Cornwall Alliance
An evangelical Christian organization addressing environmental stewardship, energy, climate change, economics, and public policy from a biblical worldview. The Cornwall Alliance emphasizes responsible stewardship of creation while also considering human flourishing, economic development, and the needs of the poor.
Evangelical Environmental Network
A Christian organization promoting what it calls creation care. EEN addresses environmental issues from an evangelical Christian perspective and encourages Christians to consider how stewardship of God’s creation relates to loving God and neighbor.
Care of Creation
A Christian organization focused on biblical stewardship of creation, particularly in developing-world contexts. Its resources explore agriculture, poverty, conservation, discipleship, and practical ways Christians can care for God’s world.
WEA Sustainability Center
A ministry of the World Evangelical Alliance addressing environmental sustainability and creation care from an evangelical Christian perspective. Its resources explore environmental stewardship, sustainable development, and the relationship between Christian faith and care for creation.
Master Books: Climate Change for Kids and Parents Too
A Christian educational resource examining climate change from a biblical worldview. It is designed to help families evaluate claims about climate and environmental issues rather than simply accepting prevailing cultural narratives.
Probe Ministries
Probe Ministries provides Christian worldview and apologetics resources on a wide variety of cultural and intellectual issues, including environmentalism. Its material can help Christians examine the philosophical assumptions underlying environmental concerns and proposed solutions.
Environmentalism and Biblical Stewardship
The Christian position is neither exploitation of creation nor worship of creation.
God has given mankind real authority over the created world, but that authority is delegated authority. We are stewards of something that ultimately belongs to God.
Christians should therefore seek to care for the earth responsibly, use its resources wisely, avoid unnecessary waste, and recognize the legitimate consequences of environmental damage. At the same time, we should carefully evaluate claims about environmental crises and consider whether proposed political or economic solutions are consistent with biblical principles concerning human dignity, property, government, work, and stewardship.
The central question is not simply, “Are you for or against environmentalism?” A better question is:
“What does God’s Word require us to believe and do concerning His creation?”