Scripture

Cedar waxwing. Photo by Michele Banker.

Judeo-Christian sacred writings provide a worldview of nature defined by the goodness of creation, sacramentality, and humans’ role as co-creators.  The foundation for our creation ethic lies in Genesis, in which God looked at all of creation and found it very good; formed a post-flood covenant with all creation; and charged humans as stewards, responsible for ensuring the Earth flourishes.  Jesus parables reveal that care is central to the relationship between God, humans and creation.  Paul, in his letter to the Romans, linked the fate of the earth to redemption in proclaiming that “all creation will be set free to share in the glorious freedom of the children of God.”

To delve more deeply into the scriptural teachings of creation care, consider reflecting on one of the following passages:

“Consider the birds: they do not plant seeds or harvest them, they have neither cellar nor barn to store their wealth, yet God feeds them.” (Luke 12:24)

“As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also is Christ.” (1 Corinthians 12:12)