dominion & stewardship Flashcards
1
Q
first Christian approach to environment - dominion
A
- understood in sense of humans having power over rest of the created world
2
Q
first Christian approach to environment - stewardship
A
- involves responsible care for rest of the created world; humans are God’s agents
3
Q
belief Christians have dominion over animals - virtually unlimited power over animals & environment
A
- traditionally many Christians had and still do believe this
- this can be seen in environmental damage caused by pursuit of wealth at any cost from time of industrial revolution & into modern times
- pursuit of profit at cost of terrible suffering to animals can be seen in practises of intensive farming
4
Q
belief that Christians have dominion over animals - anthropocentric view of universe
A
- many Christians had and still believe this
- Aquinas thought animals were irrational, had no souls & exist for soul purpose of humans
- opposed being cruel to them but only because it would encourage humans to be cruel to one another
- animals simply a form of property & number of biblical texts support this : after the flood God made a new covenant with Noah where he said he gave all animals, fish & plants to Noah for his use and those who take this as historical fact it gives humanity absolute right over rest of created world
5
Q
role of Christians as stewards of animals & the natural environment
A
- many Christians today rejects idea of dominion in sense of a power-based relationship
- they interpret Genesis 1 & Psalm 8 in terms of stewardship that they are the guardians of creation, caring for it on behalf of God and their role entails responsibility not privilege
- more emphasis placed on the intrinsic value fo animals & the natural environment and point to biblical passages about goodness & beauty of creation
6
Q
implications for Christians of global environmental crisis
A
- although some insist there is no major threat to the survival of our planet most agree action must be taken to deal with burning of fossil fuels & many different types of pollution on land, ocean and space
- many churches being urged to promote eco-theology and uses eco-friendly practises
