Nipping Environmentalism in the Bud

As the title of my blog denotes, I am a fan of creation, even moreso a participant in the creation project (see article on creation here). However, I do not make the mistake of confusing creation with the creature or Creator. Much of environmentalism lacks a sound theological base from which to interpret and engage the world(s). Though I have much to learn in many of the debates such as population control, global warming and ecology, I will refuse to surrender the revealed, benevolent purpose and place of man, God and the world.

Scripture makes it clear that both creation and man exist for God’s glory. Both are inherently meaningful. Both will be redeemed. Both will be purified. Both will last forever. However, both do not carry the same ontological value. Though creation reflects God’s glory, it is not made in God’s image. Genesis one provides an anchor for engaging environmentalism. To be made in God’s image is to be a ruler over God’s creation. The implications of this nuance are deep and wide, but one important implication is that humanity is to be a good steward of the earth, not the the earth as good stewards of humanity.

Commenting on population control issues, Chuck Colson cut through some of the fog in environmentalist presuppositions in his recent article “For the Sake of the Planet?” He writes: In contrast to the Christian idea of stewardship, which “wishes to conserve and protect the natural resources of the planet for the sake of future generations,” this viewpoint “wishes to eliminate future generations for the sake of the planet.”