Last summer was the hottest I have ever known. It was a difficult one for farmers: arable crops were too dry, and some farmers were harvesting at night to try to gain the moisture levels required for sale. Many livestock farmers had to use their winter silage to feed their animals as the grass dried up in the fields. Some schools had days when they closed and many office workers found it impossible to work normally. This is the reality of global warming – it is uncomfortable, hot and dangerous.
So how should we respond to this as Christians? How should we be caring for the Earth? A good place to start is the book of Genesis. At the start of the book, the creation of the world is described. In this majestic passage, we discover that everything has its origins in God and He has a deep love and care for his whole creation. The word ‘good’ is used seven times in Genesis 1 and this is to emphasise the perfection of God’s creation. Towards the end of the chapter animals and humans are created. God blesses both but gives humans a special charge: we are to ‘rule’ over other creatures. The word used (radah) has been mistranslated as ‘dominion’. It is also used in Psalm 72, and this reveals its real meaning. The Psalm speaks of the rule of a king to be defending the weak and saving children in poverty – rescuing the needy from oppression and violence. Biblical rule means a responsible leadership that acts to protect and nurture all that has been given into our care. This is our call and it is the very first commandment given to us in the Bible.
Genesis chapter 2 gives a complementary account of creation. This is the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. In verse 15, it says that
The Lord God took the human and placed him in the Garden of Eden to work it and shelter it.
The word for ‘work’ (avad) also means serve and it is used of the priests as they serve in the Temple. God gives us freedom to adapt his creation and use it to grow crops and build houses and gardens, but we need to do so in a way that serves all of creation and aids its fruitfulness. The word to shelter (shamar) means to protect or to take care of. Our call is to protect nature and take care of this beautiful world that God has given us.
Space does not permit a full explanation of these two chapters, but what is clear is that our call to care for creation is a fundamental part of our biblical faith. The question then is how does that work out for members of St John’s Church? The PCC are currently considering registering for Eco Church. This is a programme that will help us to fulfil our biblical calling to care for creation in a way that also helps us in our wider mission to care for people and to share the Good News. – Margot Hodson
This article originally appeared in the St John’s Messenger. If you would like to discuss contributing a future article please contact news@valebenefice.org.uk.
