God Cares about the Environment

We live in a
polarizing culture.

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GIF vs. GIF

For some things you have to take sides.

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Good vs. Evil

Not "Either/or" but "Both/and"

"God Cares" Series

God cares about His creation.

We Will Examine:

• What the Bible says about creation care
• Objections against creation care
• Next Steps

God created the world and it was good.

In the beginning, God...

Let there be light

Let there be an expanse between the waters

Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let the dry ground appear

Let the land produce vegetation

Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night

Let the waters teem with living creatures

Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds

Let us make man in our image

God is distinct from His creation

“God and the world are not the same thing, nor is everything simply held within something called ‘god.’ Within biblical theology it remains the case that the one living God created a world that is other than Himself, not contained within Himself.”
- N.T. Wright

Scripture consistently shows that God cares for His creation.

Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him: "I now establish my covenant with you and with 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 earth. I establish my covenant with you: Never again will all life be destroyed by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth."
- Genesis 9:8-11

But in the seventh year the land is to have a year of sabbath rest, a sabbath to the LORD. Do not sow your fields or prune your vineyards.
- Lev. 25:4

And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?”
- Jonah 4:11

God reveals Himself through His creation.

We are called to be God's caretakers.

We are created to steward.

God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground."
- Gen. 1:28

Dominion, not domination.

The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.
- Gen. 1:28

We are commanded to love.

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"Thanks, but I'm not a tree-hugger."

"The world is going to end anyway."

"Creation care distracts us from more important tasks."

Questions for Reflection:

• In what ways do you personally care for God’s creation? Why is this important to you?
• What would be the next step for you to take in being a better caretaker of God’s creation?

Practical Steps

• Energy reduction
• Consumption
• Transportation