A Deep Dive into Environmental Ethics: Unpacking God’s Plan for Creation

What is environmental ethics?

Environmental ethics in Scripture centers on humanity’s responsibility to steward creation as God’s entrusted caretakers.

This concept is rooted in Genesis 2:15, where God places humans in the Garden of Eden to ‘work it and keep it,’ emphasizing active care and preservation. Psalm 24:1 further grounds this duty in the truth that ‘the earth is the Lord’s,’ affirming that creation belongs to God and humans act as His stewards. Together, these passages establish a framework for ethical engagement with the natural world as an expression of reverence for its Creator.

Such stewardship implies a moral obligation to avoid exploitation, promote sustainability, and recognize the intrinsic value of God’s creation. These principles provide a foundation for addressing modern ecological challenges through a biblical lens.

Stewardship in Genesis 2:15

Genesis 2:15 establishes humanity’s role as stewards of creation through the dual mandate to ‘work’ and ‘keep’ the Garden of Eden.

The command to ‘work’ (Hebrew *avad*) implies cultivation and responsible management, while ‘keep’ (*shamar*) signifies protection and preservation, together framing human labor as collaborative with God’s design. This partnership reflects a balance between using creation’s resources and honoring their sacredness, rejecting domination in favor of mutual care. Such a model positions environmental ethics as a covenantal duty, rooted in the garden’s original vocation.

This stewardship ethic shapes biblical environmental responsibility by prioritizing sustainability over exploitation, as humans are entrusted to reflect God’s creative order through mindful care. The Garden becomes a prototype for ecological balance, where human flourishing depends on nurturing - not depleting - creation’s integrity. Ethical failure, as seen in the Fall, arises when this relational responsibility is neglected, leading to brokenness in both human and environmental realms. Thus, Genesis 2:15 provides a theological foundation for modern ecological stewardship, urging accountability to the Creator’s purposes as the next section explores further.

Creation as God's Gift

Building on the stewardship model of Genesis 2:15, Psalm 24:1 affirms that "the earth is the Lord’s," establishing creation as God’s sovereign possession entrusted to humanity’s care.

Divine ownership underscores that creation matters to God as a reflection of His glory and goodness, rather than solely as a resource for human use. Recognizing God as Creator transforms stewardship from a transactional duty into a relational responsibility.

When humans acknowledge creation as God’s gift rather than their property, ethical care becomes an act of worship and accountability. This framework rejects exploitative dominion, calling for sustainable practices that honor the Creator’s intent. Such stewardship bridges the biblical mandate to care for creation with the moral imperatives of environmental ethics in modern contexts.

Environmental Ethics and Redemption

Romans 8:19-22 reveals that creation itself awaits redemption through Christ, linking environmental care to God's ultimate plan for restoration.

In Romans 8:19-22, Paul describes creation as 'groaning as in the pangs of childbirth,' bound to frustration because it 'was made subject to futility' alongside humanity's fallenness. This passage frames ecological brokenness not as an isolated issue but as part of a cosmic narrative where God's redemptive work in Christ extends to all things. The 'hope' mentioned here (v. 24) connects human salvation with the liberation of creation, suggesting that environmental ethics are rooted in the promise of God's future renewal. By emphasizing that creation will be 'set free from its bondage to decay,' Paul positions responsible stewardship as both a present duty and a participation in God's redemptive purposes.

This eschatological hope transforms environmental ethics from a pragmatic concern into a spiritual practice, urging believers to align their care for creation with the rhythms of God's unfolding kingdom. Such a perspective invites ethical action grounded in the assurance that God's redemptive work encompasses both humanity and the natural world.

Why environmental ethics Matters Today

Biblical stewardship offers a critical framework for addressing modern ecological crises by linking care for creation to justice and intergenerational responsibility.

Proverbs 12:10 declares, 'The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel,' illustrating how ethical treatment of creation reflects moral character. This principle challenges contemporary societies to confront environmental harms disproportionately affecting marginalized communities, such as pollution in low-income regions. Furthermore, the biblical call to stewardship implies a duty to preserve resources for future generations, countering exploitative practices that prioritize short-term gain over long-term sustainability.

These mandates establish environmental ethics as both a present obligation and a witness to God's redemptive purposes. By aligning ecological care with justice and intergenerational equity, Scripture calls believers to systemic change that honors creation as a reflection of divine wisdom and grace.

Going Deeper

The biblical foundation for environmental ethics invites practical engagement and further theological reflection.

Readers may explore eco-theology through resources like the work of Lynn White Jr. or the creation care movement pioneered by organizations such as the Evangelical Environmental Network, while practical applications could include sustainable practices aligned with Genesis 2:15’s stewardship model and Proverbs 12:10’s call to ethical care.