2. Christian Concept of Stewardship

Question 1

1. Dominion

Answer 1

• Christian idea of ‘dominion’ originates from Genesis
• Dominion: humans were instated by God to rule over the Earth and use its resources
• Genesis: ‘let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky and over all creatures that move along the ground’

Question 2

2. Stewardship

Answer 2

• Many Christians prefer the idea of ‘stewardship’
• Stewardship: humans have a duty to protect and preserve the Earth.
• Genesis: “God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it”
• Isaiah: “the earth is defiled by its people; they have disobeyed the laws”
• Some Christians interpret these as showing that environmental damage is part of human sin and therefore should be rectified.
• Restoring the world is the way to restore relationship with God.

Question 3

3. Evaluation of Christian Approach

Answer 3

• Pope Francis: “another threat to peace arises from the greedy exploitation of environmental resources”
• Christian Aid and CAFOD focus on environmental issues
• Minority of radical Christians believe the Earth is irrelevant because of Revelation
• Christian approach is often seen as given instrumental rather than intrinsic value to the Earth (it is only important if it impacts humans)

Question 4

4. Strengths

Answer 4

• Christian environmental organisations are able to amass significant funds for their conservation efforts
• Christian concern for the poor means there is a significant focus on developing world

Question 5

5. Weaknesses

Answer 5

• By viewing conservation as an instrumental rather than intrinsic good, Christians underestimate the true value of nature.
• Christian leaders and organisations play an insignificant role in restoration of Earth

• Secular thinkers such as Peter Singer have been highly critical of religious approach:
- “act in a way that causes fear and dread in everything that moves on the earth”

• White: argued that historical roots of our ecological crisis are in Christianity

Question 6

Summary

Answer 6

1. Dominion
2. Stewardship
3. Evaluation of Christian Approach
4. Strengths
5. Weaknesses