The Bible begins with God fashioning a world from darkness and disorder. The last book, Revelation, ends with the river of the water of life, leaves of healing, the absence of night, and the need no more of lamp or sun, "for the Lord God will be their light." (Revelation Ch 22 v 1-6). In Genesis the first words of the Creator were, "Let there be light "and the culmination of creation was, "Let us make human beings in our image, after our likeness." (Genesis,Ch 1 v 3, 26 ) Human beings were then given the command and privilege to fill, subdue and have dominion over all living things. The earth became home, our workplace and our home and our source of food.
The word dominion does not merely convey the idea of lordship and unlimited control. It has the implication of being a steward, a guardian, one responsible to the Giver and Master. This responsibility means ensuring the earth is habitable, fruitful, healthy and peaceful. It is not a responsibility given to a few nations and cultures but to "all people who on earth do dwell." In a sense, we are all gardeners and labourers, sowing, fertilising, and reaping with the hope that all of God's family will have enough.
Physical duties–important as spiritual duties.
There is a temptation among religious persons, to think that our chief concern should be the development of the spirit and prepare ourselves for the bliss of heaven after this life, with no serious thinking of our duties towards this physical earth. However, believers in Christ must keep in mind Christianity is a faith in which "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us and we have seen his glory..."(John l v l4 ). God is with us and among us as we perform our earthly tasks, the tasks that will demonstrate how much we care for others and for our earthly dwelling-place. Jesus had harsh words for those who overlooked the hurts, tears and groans of the distressed. He condemned selfishness shown in those whose pleasures and treasures kept them insensitive to the basic needs of their fellow inhabitants.
If we compare the earth to a human body, we realise the body cannot be considered healthy if some parts are sick or diseased. Our earth is suffering from the consequences of forest devastation, water and air pollution, and toxic poisoning. We are told that 20 per cent of human beings possess 80 per cent of the world's resources. Problems of waste, obesity and over-consumption exist alongside those of malnutrition, starvation and environmental disasters. Just as we listen thoughtfully to the wisdom of our religious teachers, who proclaim and explain Scriptures to us, so we must pay heed to the experts who keep on reminding us the earth is the Lord's and the earth is our home. They are all telling us to care for what we have been given, not for our sake only, but for the sake of those who live at the furthest distance from us and are affected by our over-indulgence, carelessness and exploitation.
In the Psalms we read many verses of praise and thanks for the earth. "Be exalted God above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth."(Psalm 54 ) "Blessed be his glorious name forever! May the whole earth be filled with his glory!" (Psalm 72 ) "Yes the Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase."(Psalm 85) "Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar and all that fills it; let the field exult and everything in it." (Psalm 96 ). God wants us to continue making the earth a better home for generations yet unborn. Let us maintain "the integrity of creation."