Evidence for God from Science

Many Christians today seem to take an uncaring and nonchalant "so what?" approach to environmental issues. "If Christ is coming to get us, and if God is in control," they say, "why should we worry at all about the state of the environment?" This view is more common than you might think, and it is sadly unbiblical. First, while God has certainly promised to help and aid His people, this providential care will not protect us from the results of human sin and negligence. God has saved us in Christ. He has made us a "new creation" (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV). But we still reside in a sin-altered, fallen world in which the consequences of our actions are felt everyday: "Whatever one sows, that will he also reap" (Galatians 6:7).

Second, while we are to put our trust and hope in Christ's return, we are not to rest in that fact to the point that we neglect our responsibilities. In 2 Thessalonians, Paul begins by comforting the brethren there with the fact of Christ's judgment of their evil persecutors at His second coming. But some of the Thessalonians, having heard from false teachers that Christ had already returned, and others perhaps thinking Christ's return was imminent, were becoming idle, thinking that work was not important if Christ's second coming was at hand. This is essentially the attitude of many Christians about the environment. Paul exhorts them to "keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness" and to "not grow weary in doing good" (2 Thessalonians 3:6, 13). Many might say environmental protection is not important in Christianity, but by examining Scripture we see its important place in the heart of God and its connection to the mission of Christ and the church. We increasingly face environmental issues in our society today, and the Lord's church cannot be silent or ignorant of the responsibility we have been given to be stewards of God's creation. As we examine the theme of environmental stewardship in the Bible, let us not have the same attitude as did these Christians in Thessalonica.

In the Beginning: The Inception of Man's Responsibility for Creation. In the first two chapters of Genesis, God creates the universe, the earth, and all living things, then man and woman, and pronounced them all "good" (Genesis 1:25) and "very good" (1:31). Unlike most worldly value systems which may focus on the ability of nature to be used or subjective ideas of beauty, the Bible depicts God conferring inherent value to nature itself. In this early part of the creation story, we find the origin of man's responsibility for nature in God's commands to Adam. From the two accounts in Genesis 1 and 2, God declares man's responsibility to "subdue" and have "dominion" over the earth and its creatures (Genesis 1:28), but also he is to "work" (or "till") and "keep" the Garden, and by extension, nature (Genesis 2:15). According to Strong's concordance the Hebrew word for "work" in this passage means to use, and the word translated "keep" means to guard, to protect, and to preserve. Thus from the very beginning God expected man to use the products of nature for his sustenance, but also to be responsible in that use and to preserve the life-giving systems and creatures of the creation.

The events of the great flood in Genesis 6-9 also provide insight into God's early view of creation. In order to preserve part of the creation, part of Noah's responsibility was gathering some of every animal "kind" into the ark (Genesis 6:19). After blotting out all life on earth, God "remembered Noah and all the beasts" on the ark (Genesis 8:1) and made the flood subside. After the flood, God is very clear, and emphasizes repeatedly that His covenant to never flood the whole earth again is with "the earth" (Genesis 9:13) and "every living creature" including Noah and his offspring and all animal life as well (Genesis 9:8-11). Indeed, "every moving thing that lives" was given to mankind for food (Genesis 9:3), but a high view of creation established by God through covenant relationship would ensure a balance of "using" and "keeping."

God's Care for the Environment in the Old Testament. Even before the fall of mankind into sin, God had a plan in place for his eventual redemption. As a "schoolmaster" of sorts for humanity, the Mosaic Law itself harkened to the day when a Messiah would come to permanently remove sin's burden from the hearts of mankind and the earth. The details of the Law provide us with insight into God's plan to set the people of Israel apart as His own, and in it we see several examples of God's concern for His creation, both human and non-human.

Leviticus 25 is truly an amazing section of the Law. In it we gain a glimpse into God's view of the earth and His marvelous care for creation. God first tells the people to observe a "Land Sabbath" every seventh year in which the land was not to be cultivated. The stated purpose of this was a "rest for the land" and a "Sabbath to the Lord" (Leviticus 25:4). We know today that this practice would indeed profit the people themselves as the year of rest for the land would prevent depletion of soil nutrients and prolong its usefulness; however, the purpose God states seems to point to the inherent value of the earth itself and its value in His sight. God even used the Chaldeans to punish Israel in part to restore the Land Sabbaths they had failed to keep (2 Chronicles 36:20-21).

Soon after God's command for a "Land Sabbath," we see some of these same ideas reiterated in the command for a year of Jubilee every 50th year (Leviticus 25:8-11). This was a year in which everyone was to give their property to its original owner, return to their original family and dwelling place, and no one was to sow or reap anything from the land. This year of Jubilee was to remind the Israelites that they had nothing that was not given by God. God explicitly tells the Israelites, "The land shall not be sold in perpetuity for the land is mine. For you are strangers and sojourners with me. And in all the country you possess you shall allow a redemption of the land" (Leviticus 25:23-24). While we are certainly not under the requirements of the Mosaic Law today (Hebrews 8:13; 9:15-17), it does provide insight into God's view of creation. In contrast to our consumption-driven society today, would not a "Jubilee" view of the environment be more in line with our call to be "strangers and sojourners" (Hebrews 11:13-16; 1 Peter 2:11-12)? If we viewed the environment as God's, and ourselves as merely stewards, caring for it until He reclaims it, would we not take more care with it?

The Creation in the New Testament. With the Gospels and some of Paul's letters revealing truths about the creation we can see the same theme of stewardship of nature carried throughout the New Testament. The ultimate understanding of our responsibility for stewardship comes from the beginning of Colossians when Paul is praising Christ. He says of Christ:

"For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together" (Colossians 1:16-17).

While God did indeed tell man to "till and keep" the earth, from this passage it is clear that this was only in the capacity of a steward. We see now why God placed so much value on the earth through the Old Testament. All created things were made "through" and "for" Christ. We should be careful not to usurp Christ's position in this case, thinking that the earth and its creatures were created solely for our benefit. The best environmental stewardship will be accomplished through a realization that Christ was both the conduit for creation and the purpose of it, certainly not ourselves. Christ brought perfection and beauty to creation; mankind brought death and a curse (Romans 5:1ff.; Genesis 3:17).

Connected to this, Christ's mission to redeem us from sin is also directed toward the earth itself. When man--created from the earth itself--sinned, he brought a curse to the earth as well: "cursed is the ground because of you" (Genesis 3:17). Christ's power to specifically forgive sins "on earth" (Luke 5:24) points to His mission of "reconciling.all things, whether on earth or in heaven" to God through His death (Colossians 1:20; see also Ephesians 1:9-10, 1 Corinthians 8:6). While we of course automatically think on what His death means to us personally, the redemption of the entire creation is explicit in His mission: "this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me" (John 6:39). This includes "everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him" (John 6:40), but also the entirety of creation which was created "through" and "for" Christ. Indeed, the creation has been "groaning," waiting eagerly "to be set free from its bondage to decay" when Christ returns and "the sons of God" are revealed (Romans 8:18-25). One of the most quoted verses in the Bible also points to this. The first part of John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son." The word translated "world" here is the Greek word kosmos, which has a much broader meaning than we usually think, encompassing the universe and all created things. It signifies Christ's mission to redeem all creation from the effects of sin.

Christ had much to say about good stewardship (for example, the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30), and this certainly applies to the creation. We have been given many blessings through this earth that God created. Certainly, "much will be required" of us as well (Luke 12:48).

An Issue of Morality. The rampant environmental degradation taking place worldwide today is one of the moral issues most ignored by Christians. It is clear from the continuity of the idea in both the Old and New Testament that nature occupies a special place in the heart of God. As the psalmist indicated in Psalm 147, all nature declares praise to God. Paul said that the creation shows God's "eternal power and divine nature" (Romans 1:20). God pays attention to the life and death of even a sparrow (Deuteronomy 22:6-7; Matthew 10:29; Luke 12:6). If God cares so much about nature, we must too.

But not only does destruction of nature show disrespect for God and the environment He created, it also shows a lack of concern for the consequences environmental destruction has on humanity in current and future generations. As the data continues to come in, we are beginning to see more clearly the real connections between environmental pollution and degradation and worsening health and livelihood both at a local and global level. Increasing water pollution in the United States has made many of our freshwater and marine fish toxic to children and pregnant women due to harmful levels of chemicals such as mercury and dioxin (http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/fish). Air pollution causes over 64,000 premature deaths annually in America alone (http://www.nrdc.org/air/pollution/qbreath.asp). The tremendous destruction of life and property during storms and flooding in places such as India and the Gulf Coast of the U.S. was greatly increased due to removal of coastal forest habitats and other natural barriers. In other countries outside the U.S., with little ability to regulate and enforce pollution and environmental laws, things are much worse. Yet the U.S. is not without some blame for these problems as well. Many of our consumer choices contribute to health concerns in other nations. For instance, our demand for low-cost paper and wood products increases deforestation in countries across South America. This pollutes water sources, contributes to species extinction, and forces poor families to move off land they have been living on but cannot afford to buy. Until we recognize how our waste, destruction, and over-consumption of natural resources affects others, and do something to change, we cannot fulfill the second great commandment to "love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:39). Whatever we do "to one of the least of these" we do to Christ (Matthew 25:40).

Five Practical Suggestions. Even after recognizing the biblical imperative for responsible care of the environment, it can be difficult to translate this knowledge into action. Here are five steps you can take to begin practicing and promoting environmental stewardship:

1. Recycle and re-use. These are "old standards" of the environmental movement, but they are crucial. Not only will this help reduce your waste and cut down on pollution, it could potentially provide a source of supplemental income. Start a congregation-wide recycling program and encourage members to participate.

2. Reduce paper waste. This will be a natural result of recycling, but consider other ways to reduce paper use. Could your congregation find another way to track attendance besides filling out paper cards? Many have. This would cut down on costs as well.

3. Turn down the thermostat. Consider changing your thermostat temperature just a few degrees. This will cut down on the amount of energy used and will also lower your cooling and heating costs. If you are out of town, turn the heat/air off or down if possible. This can also be done in church buildings and facilities as well.

4. Reduce driving when possible. Many times we must drive to work or school; but some situations do not require driving. Walk, bike, or carpool when you can. Take public transportation if available. This will help reduce air pollution which has a direct effect on human health and the environment.

5. Consider getting involved in local environmental work. A wonderful project for young and old alike is to do a project to improve the environment: clean up a highway, clean up a local river, work in a recycling program, participate in a local community environmental project. It teaches our youth and is wonderful positive advertising to the community.

Source: http://www.doesgodexist.org/MayJun08/Bi ... dship.html

ATTITUDE TOWARD PLANTS AND ANIMALS

In addition to this general commission, God gave His people many specific environmentally sound laws. For example, Leviticus 25:2-5 gives the command for the Sabbath where the land was to "rest" every seventh year, to lie fallow and restore its nutrients. Again in Deuteronomy 20:19-20, God commands the Israelites not to damage trees bearing fruit when engaging in warfare: this prevents deforestation and conserves soil. In Deuteronomy 22:6, they were commanded not to take the dam (female) of the bird nest, but only the young, This prevents the population from being seriously diminished while still providing man with food.

In Deuteronomy 25: 4 the Israelites were instructed not to muzzle the bull when it threshes grain. Clearly, this was an act of kindness, a consideration for the well-being of the beast. Again in a more general note Proverbs 12:10 reads:

"A righteous man cares for the needs of his animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel." (NIV)

GOD'S PROVIDENTIAL CARE

The Judeo-Christian heritage also emphasizes God's providential care and concern over His creation. Psalm 65: 9 states:

"You care for the land and water it: you enrich it abundantly. The streams of God are filled with water to provide the people with grain, for so you have ordained it." (NIV)

God's care for the earth is a blessing of abundance for His people. Again in Psalm 36:6, the psalmist declares:
"0 Lord, you preserve both man and beast." (NIV)

And Psalms 145:9, 15-16, reads:

"The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made. The eyes of all look to you' and you give them their food at the proper
time. You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing." (NIV)

In Matthew 6:26 and 10:29 (and Luke 12:6-7) we are told how God cares even for the birds, how not one of them dies without His knowledge, And the writer of Hebrews 1:3 tells us that the whole universe is sustained by the word of His power.

Finally, Paul tells us that God's care extends to the point of redeeming all His
creation:

"The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God." (Rom. 8:19-21, NIV)

SPIRITUALITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION

We note also a connection between the moral behavior of the people and the quality of their environment. For example, Isaiah 24:5 reads:

"The earth also is defiled (polluted) under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant." (KJV)

And again in Leviticus 18:25, 28:

"Even the land was defiled; so I punished it for its sin, and the land vomited out its inhabitants, , And if you defile the land, it will vomit you out as it vomited Out the nations that were before you." (N IV)

Numbers 35:33, 34 reads:

"Do not pollute the land where you are. Bloodshed pollutes the land, and atonement cannot be made for the land on which blood has been shed, except by the blood of the one who shed it. Do not defile the land where you live and where I dwell, for I, the LOAD dwell among the Israelites." (NIV)

Hosea 4:1, 3 states:

There is no faithfulness, no love, no acknowledgement of God in the land.. . . Because of this the land mourns (or dries up), and all who live in it waste away; the beasts of the field and the birds of the air and the fish of the sea are dying." (NIV)

Finally, Jeremiah writes (16:18):

"I will repay them double for their wickedness and their sin, because they have defiled my land with the lifeless forms of their vile images and have filled my inheritance with their detestable idols." (NIV)

Thus, the Biblical writers indicate a strong linkage between the quality of the land and the morality and spiritual condition of those who dwell in it. Spiritual pollution resulted in environmental pollution. If there is obedience, there is environmental quality; Leviticus 26:3-5, 10 reads:

"If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands, I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops and the trees of the field their fruit. Your threshing will continue until grape harvest and the grape harvest will continue until planting, and you will eat all the food you want and live in safety in your land. . . You wilt be eating last year's harvest when you will have to move it out to make room for the new." (NIV)

In the case of disobedience, the environment would be detrimentally affected as indicated in Leviticus 26:16, 19-20:

1 will bring upon you sudden terror, wasting diseases and fever that will destroy your sight and drain away your life. You will plant seed in vain, because your enemies will eat it. . . I will break down your stubborn pride and make the sky above you like iron and the ground
beneath you like bronze. Your strength will be spent in vain, because your soil will not yield its crops, nor will the trees of the land yield their fruit," (NIV)


SUMMARY

The charge that the Judeo-Christian heritage is the root of our environmental problems has been seriously challenged by a number of writers. In spite of these refutations, the notion still persists. Yet a brief review of Scriptural passages reveals several points. It shows that 1 the concept of dominion is man's authority to rule but that his authority is contingent upon and limited by God's sovereignty (man must answer to God); 2) that God encouraged consideration of both plants and animals by His people; 3) that the non-living resources were blessings from the Almighty who actively sustains His world; 4) that God himself cares very much for His creation and creatures; 5) that from the Biblical perspective there is a strong link between spiritual and environmental pollution.

It is clear that environmentally destructive attitudes are not fostered by any Scriptural belief. Indeed, the Bible offers a firm basis for a Creationist philosophy of ecology and a Christian environmental ethic. The Christian sees in creation the attributes of God Himself:

"For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead. (Rom. 1:20, KJV)

The notion that Jews and Christians were inspired by Scripture to adopt environmentally destructive attitudes must be recognized for what it is: a myth of the secular, liberal mind.

Source: http://www.creationism.org/csshs/v06n4p05.htm

A Scriptural Call for Environmental Stewardship

"The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof."
Psalms 24:1

Christians for Environmental Stewardship is dedicated to reaching the Evangelical and Conservative Christian churches with a scriptural message of environmental stewardship. We measure our stewardship by healthy ecosystems and sustainable, responsible consumption. We are calling on all Christians to search the scriptures to better understand the heart of God in relation to His creation. The Bible says that God expects, even demands, that we be stewards of His creation. Scripture is undisputable. God created the different species of plants and animals, blessed them, protected them and made a covenant with them.

Every time we, as humans, drive a species to extinction, we are stating that what God created, we can destroy. There is no scripture to support that view. Every time a species goes extinct, we are defaulting on the account that God has called us to manage. We are at the crossroads, able to choose to save or to destroy. It is our choice. The Bible is clear that creation expresses Gods wisdom and power. Christians are called to be stewards, to nurture, to protect, to preserve His creation.

God Created the Earth and All of Nature in it

Psalms 104:25,30. In wisdom you made them all, the earth is full of your creatures. There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number - living things both large and small... When you send your Spirit, they are created and you renew the earth.

John 1:3. Through Him all things were made: without Him nothing was made that has been made.

Colossians 1:16-17. All things were created by Him and for Him. He is before all things and in Him all things hold together.

God has a Relationship with All of His Creation

Psalm 96:10-13. The Lord reigns... Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad, let the seas resound and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy, they will sing before the Lord for He comes, He comes to judge the earth.

Isaiah 43:20-21. The wild animals honor me, the jackals and the owls, because I provide water in the desert and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to my people, my chosen.

Deut. 32:1-2. Listen, Oh heavens, and I will speak, hear, Oh earth, the words of my mouth. Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants.

Job 37:14-18. Listen to this, Job. Stop and consider God's wonders. Do you know how God controls the clouds and makes his lightning flash? Do you know how the clouds hang poised, those wonders of Him who is perfect in knowledge?

Psalms 104:25, 27. Animals, both small and great.. they all wait for Thee to give them their food in due season.

Matt 6:26. Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. And are you not worth much more than they?

God's Power is Seen in Nature

Joshua 2:11. For the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on earth below.

Romans 1:20. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - His eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

Psalms 104:24. How many are your works, O Lord! In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number - living things both large and small.

God Calls All of His Creation to Worship

Psalm 19:1. The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.

Isaiah 55:12-13. The mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. All this will be a memorial for the Lord, a sign that for all time will not be cut off.

Nehemiah 9:6. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You gave life to everything and the multitudes of heaven worship you.

Psalm 8:3-8. When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man.

I Chron. 16:7,30-34. Tremble before Him, all the earth! The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved. Let the heavens rejoice. Let the earth he glad; let them say among the nations, "The Lord reigns!"

Rev 5:13. Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing "To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb, be praise and honor and glory and power for ever and ever."

Job 9:5-10. But how can a mortal be righteous before God? Though no one wished to dispute with Him, he could not answer Him one time out of a thousand. His wisdom is profound, His power is vast. Who has resisted Him and come out unscathed? He moves mountains without their knowing it and overturns them in his anger. He shakes the earth from its place and makes it pillars tremble. He speaks to the sun and it does not shine.

God Teaches Humans through Nature

Job 12:7-10. But ask the animals, and they will teach you; or birds of the air and they will tell you; or speak to the earth and it will teach you; or let the fish of the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the lord has done this. In His hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.

Romans 1:19-20. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. Ever since the creation of the world His eternal power and divine nature, invisible though they are, have been understood and seen through the things He has made. So they are without excuse.

Isaiah 11:9. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.

God Expects Humans to be His Stewards with Nature

Genesis 1:26. Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth and over all the creatures that move along the ground."

Lev. 25:23-24. The land is mine and you are but aliens and my tenants. Throughout the country that you hold as a possession, you must provide for the redemption of the land.

Ezekiel 34:2-4. Woe to the shepherds of Israel who only take care of themselves! Should not the shepherds take care of the flock? You eat the curds, clothe yourselves with the wool and slaughter the choice animals, but you did not take care of the flock! You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured. You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost. You have ruled them harshly and brutally.

Ezekiel 34:10. 0 shepherds, hear the word of the Lord. This is what the sovereign Lord says: I am against the shepherds and will hold them accountable for my flock.

Ezekiel 34:17-18. As for you, my flock... Is it not enough for you to feed on good pasture? Must you also trample the rest of your pasture with your feet? Is it not enough for you to drink clear water? Must you also muddy the rest with your feet?

Isaiah 24:4-6. The earth dries up and withers, the world languished and withers, the exalted of the earth languish. The earth lies under its inhabitants; for they have transgressed the laws, violated the statutes, and broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore a curse consumes the earth; its people must bear their guilt.

Jer. 2:7. I brought you into a fertile land to eat its fruit and rich produce. But you came and defiled my land and you made my inheritance detestable.

Luke 16:2,10,13. And He called him and said to him, "What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward. He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous in much. You cannot serve both God and mammon.

James 5:5. You have lived luxuriously on the earth and led a life of wanton pleasure; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.

Mark 4:19. ...and the worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word and it becomes unfruitful.

Revelation 11:18. The nations were angry and your wrath has come. The time has come for rewarding your servants the prophets and your saints and those who reverence your name, both small and great - and for destroying those who destroy the earth.

God Expects Us to Obey Him in our Lifestyle

Luke 12:15,23,34. And He said to them, "Beware and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does life consist of his possessions. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Leviticus 26:3-4,6. If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands, I will send you rain in its season and the ground will yield its crops and the trees of the field their fruit... and I will grant peace in the land.

God Expects Us to Obey His Commands

1 Peter 3:17. It is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right, rather than for doing what is wrong.

Psalm 37:34. Wait for the lord and keep his way.

Exodus 23:2. Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong.

Hebrews 10:30-31. For we know Him who said, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay." And again, "The Lord will judge his people." It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Scriptural Defense of Endangered Species

Fact #1 God Created the Different Species of Plants and Animals
Genesis 1:11-12. God created plants.
Then God said, "let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds." And it was so. The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees hearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.

Genesis 1:20-21. God created fish and birds.
And God said, "let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky." So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living and moving thing with which the water teems, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.

Genesis 1:24-25. God created animals.
And God said, "let the land produce living creatures according to their kind: livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind." And it was so. God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.

Fact #2 God Blessed the Different Species of Plants and Animals
Genesis 1:22. God blessed [the birds and sea animals], and said, "Be fruitful and increase in number."

Fact #3 God Protected the Different Species
Genesis 6:19-21. God said, "You are to bring into the ark two of every kind of living creature, male and female, to keep them alive with you. Two of every kind of bird, of every kind of animal and of every kind of creature that moves along the ground will come to you to be kept alive. You are to take every kind of food that is to be eaten and store it away as food for you and them." Noah did everything just as God commanded him.

Genesis 7:8-10. Pairs of clean and unclean animals, of birds and of all creatures that move along the ground, male and female, came to Noah. And after the seven days the floodwaters came on the earth.

Fact # 4 God Made an Eternal Covenant with the Different Species of Plants and Animals
Genesis 9:8-9. Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him: "I now establish my covenant with you and your descendants after you and with every living creature that was with you - the birds, the livestock, and all the wild animals, all those that came out of the ark with you - every living Creature on the earth."

Genesis 9:12-13. And God said, "This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will he the sign of the covenant between me and the earth.



Scripture clearly states that God created, blessed, protected and made a covenant with the different species. As stewards of His creation we are called to do no less. It is our scriptural and moral duty to protect species and their habitat.



HOW TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR GOD AND HIS CREATION?

1. Read the foregoing Bible study. Learn the key points. Realize that how we care for creation must be raised to a moral issue, not simply viewed as an economic one.

2. Join Christians for Environmental Stewardship and stand up for God's creation.

3. Take the Bible study, copy it and pas it around. Ask family and friends to consider working with you on getting the message out.

4. Encourage your pastor and church leaders to study scripture to determine God's will towards the environment.

5. Contact your elected officials. Let them know that you are a Christian who believes that the Bible is clear that we must protect the environment from greed and exploitation.

6. Vote your conscious and protect the environmental policies such as the Endangered Species Act.

7. Live like a shepherd, not like a wolf. Remember, recycling is an act of worship!

Source: http://www.christianecology.org/Stewardship.html