christian ideas of stewardship and dominion

stewardship

• theological idea which states that god has given the earth to humans and expects us to protect + preserve the environment

• genesis 2:15

  • the lord god took the man and put him in the garden of eden to fill it and care for it

dominion

• traditional christian approach to environment that states that humans were instructed by god to rule over earth and use its resources for our own purpose- some have interpreted this as the right to plunder

• genesis 1:28-29

  • ‘fill the earth and subdue it. rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground’

STRENGTH OF STEWARDSHIP: love thy neighbour

• many christians consider stewardship important bc it impacts others’ lives

• the earth is a shared habitat, and global warming effects everyone

• JC’s teaching of ‘love thy neighbour’ can be interpreted to provide a clear reason to act on environmental issues

STRENGTH OF STEWARDSHIP: John Houghton

• evangelical christian and atmospheric physicist

• argues that the damage of climate change falls disproportionately on the world’s poorest.

• a moral imperative for rich countries to take the first action

• argues that the Bible puts high priority on our responsibilities for caring for the Earth and caring for the poor

• Points to genesis 37-47; the Pharoah’s dream Joseph interpreted that was given by god was a forecast of a climate crisis (seven years of plenty to be followed by seven years of severe famine). Joseph had to store grain during the years of plenty and distribute it when the famine came.

• Argues that today we face a climate crisis of enormous magnitude, and that info has come through god via science (instead of a dream)

• links stewardship with ecological responsibility in addressing climate change. He argues that stewardship complements scientific initiatives for sustainable development.

EVALUATION OF JOHN HOUGHTON: Lynn White Jr.

• White argues that Christian theology places humans at the center of creation, granting them dominion over nature. This anthropocentric worldview, even when framed as stewardship, perpetuates the idea that nature exists to serve humanity.

• argues Houghton’s view of stewardship is hierarchial rather than humans and nature as equal participants

• Houghton’s focus on individual and moral responsibility aligns with White’s critique that Christian ethics often prioritize personal virtue over systemic reform. White would likely suggest that stewardship fails to address the broader economic and political systems causing climate change.

response to white + STRENGTH OF STEWARDSHIP

• in God in creation and Ethics of Hope, Moltmann argues that humans are stewards of creation, tasked w ensuring harmony and sustainability

• goes against anthropocentric criticisms of L.W. jr; creation has intrinsic value and is not merely a backdrop to human existence- both humanity and the environment are subjects of god’s redemptive plan.

• in his trinitarian social model, drawing from the trinity’s mutual interdependence (perichoresis), M. proposes a model for human and environmental relationships rooted in cooperation and respect.

• framework critiques Western Christianity’s historical role in ecological crises while resonating with African theology, which emphasizes humanity’s harmony with nature.

anderson on stewardship

• emphasises stewardship as a central element of christian responsibility toward creation

• asserts that stewardship does not imply ownership of the earth but rather servanthood to god’s creation

• humanity’s role is one of responsibility and humility, recognizing that the earth belongs to god

• challenges anthropocentric interpretations of genesis by emphasizing care + preservation

• advocates for the sustainable use of natural resources

• stresses urgency of adopting a stewardship ethic in light of contemporary environmental crises; frames stewardship as a response to these challenges.

Aquinas on dominion

• in Summa Theologica, Aquinas wrote that God had created animals and plants for the benefit of man and that animals cannot reason, therefore man may use them as he wishes

• the capacity of reason is central to A’s view, arguing that humans are granted dominion bc of their unique rational nature

• dominion is a teleological goal as part of god’s divine plan. dominion is a function of creation’s divine purpose, and must be exercised with a view toward the greater good and teleological ends.

• humans must ensure that the nat world is preserved and utilised in ways that fulfils its divinely ordained purposes.

evaluation of aquinas on dominion

• overlooks the intrinsic value of animals and their capacity for suffering, instead justifying their exploitation under the guise of human superiority

• a’s framework doesn’t fully acknowledge animals as beings w moral worth/ rights

• Singer critiques the anthropocentric ethics in A’s thought, which he believes fails to properly address the ethical treatment of animals in the modern world.

• in Animal Liberation, Singer argues that the principle of equal consideration should be applied to all sentient beings, not just humans.

DOMINION and schaeffer

• biblical command given to humanity based upon genesis 1:28 (“fill the earth and subdue it”) → dominion is a god given responsibility

• true dominion is a responsible and moral stewardship that seeks the well-being of creation

• man’s ability to exercise such dominion has been affected by the fall; we no longer tend to the world in love, but instead ravage and pillage it.

• dominion should have a transformative impact on society- condemns the modern attitude that dominion should have a transformative impact on society.

• true dominion reflects human flourishing in harmony with gods design.

evaluation of schaeffer

• strong→ scott paradise’s view of religious beliefs supports the idea that the concept of dominion needs to be revised (e.g. the universe exists for man’s exclusive use’ should be replaced by ‘man has responsibility for the earth’

is christianity to blame for the climate crisis?

• lynn white jr argues western christian world view supports/ encourages exploitation of nature

• crusades + colonisation suggested human dominion and holiness of nature was swept away

• perpetuated ideas where humans can exploit nature

• judeo-christian tradition has contributed to environmental degradation due to its athropocentric worldview.