“Environmentalism”

“Environmental” Science^[1]

“Earthkeeping” (instead of “environmentalism”) or “re-Genesizing,” taking care of creation, is hurt by human sin (Lev 26; Deut 11:13-17). Deuteronomy 33:13-15 shows a fertile versus infertile land Deuteronomy 29:16-28. There are creational consequences that humans bring on ourselves.

Environmental concerns are nothing new.  The Israelites entered a land “flowing with milk and honey” (Ex 13:5; 33:3; Lev 2:24; Num 14:8; Josh 5:6).  Canaan was called a “good land” (Deut 6:18; Josh 23:13), a land cared for by God (Deut 11:12), even a “very, very good land” (Num 14:7).  Deuteronomy 8:7-9 cites a cornucopia of products: fountains, springs, wheat, barley, olive trees, and vines.

By the end of the First Testament, however, the picture changes.  What was once considered the wealth of a nation is described as barren, depleted, and defiled (Jer 2:7).  Deforestation caused by war (Jdg 9:46-49; 2 Kg 3:19, 25; Jer 6:6), overgrazing (Jud 6:5), even idol worship (Jer 10:3).  Laws regarding agriculture (Lev 25), horticulture (Lev 19:10, 23-25), and forestry (Deut 20:19-20) were ignored.  While some would want to rush to judgment against industry and business, Scripture indicates that so-called “environmental” problems began as a disintegration of the relation between Israel and God (Jer 9:12-13; Mic 7:13).  God chastised His people using weather which caused crop failure and drought (Ps 78:47-48; Jer 14:3-6; Amos 4:7-8).  The decay of God-centered earthkeeping set the stage for misuse and abuse of the creation through a human-centered view of the earth.

Following God’s commands for earthkeeping, however, provided nourishment for all.  “Give careful attention to your herds” (Prov 27:23, 27).  Even during captivity the triune God commanded “plant gardens and eat what they produce” (Jer 29:5) building prosperity for individual and nation alike (29:7).  Obedience to God and fruitfulness of the land was intricately tied together (Lev 20:24; Deut 11:17).  The new earth will yield its plenty when people are changed toward their Maker (Ezek 36:25-30).

Prosperity produces the possibility of private property development (1 Kg 4:25; 1 Chr 27:25-31).  Love of the soil spurred Uzziah’s land development providing work for people and cultivation of the land (2 Chr 26:10).  Ownership provides for a flourishing economy (Jer 39:10; 40:10; 41:8).  However the person who worships production over the Possessor is called a “fool” because their view of this life was not governed by the next life (Luke 12:6-21).  Indeed, the coming kingdom on earth is marked by “every man sitting under his own fig tree,” a sign of prosperity (Mic 4:4).^[2]

[1] Environment means a web of interconnectedness. Biblically this is a troublesome word since humans are not “one with the earth” where all things are simply seen as one giant ecosystem. People are vice-regents of God responsible to cultivate and conserve the earth.

[2] A tremendous resource for Christian interaction with “environmental” science is Caring for Creation in your own Backyard: Over 100 Things Christian Families Can Do to Help the Earth by Loren and Mary Ruth Wilkinson (Ann Arbor: Servant, 1992).

Originally written by Mark Eckel and published for an ACSI Enabler (2003-04) discussing biblical integration. Mark has four decades of Christian education experience. Dr. Eckel began teaching 7-12 grade Bible classes in Christian schools in 1983 at Shiloh Christian School, Bismarck, ND. He has over 20 years in K-12 Christian settings as well as teaching undergraduate through graduate courses over the last 20 years. He has been teaching Christian education philosophy since the 1980’s and has been a CE philosophy provider for ACSI for years. You can find his 100,000 word, 20 discipline faith-learning integration series here: https://www.curriculumtrak.com/features/faith-learning.cfm