Over the last couple of weeks we have discussed how through a careful re-reading of the creation stories we learn that the particular relationship between God, humanity and the earth itself is extremely important. In fact, Scripture teaches that how we care for the earth and all that is upon it is a fundamental aspect of what it means to be human.
As Dr. Ellen Davis reminds us:
“The Bible can enable us to grasp the depth dimensions of the ecological crisis because the ecological crisis is essentially not a technological crisis, but a theological one. It is a massive disordering in our relationship with God, the Creator of heaven and earth.”
Any ecological crisis is in fact, a spiritual crisis!
In the commissioning account spelled out in the early chapters of Genesis, where God tells humanity to care for the earth, there are two key words which enforce this idea. The first is the Hebrew word ‘avad’ which means to work but also ‘to work for someone else.’ In the context of ancient societies it denotes a servant’s service to a master. In other words, God has asked us to serve him by caring for the earth.
The second word is the word ‘shamar’ which means ‘to protect, attend to and watch over.’ This means we have been given power, but power like that of a parent watching over children – it is a power that is meant to be used to protect and care for.
‘Shamar’ is a very attentive word, in that is describes how we should carefully observe and assess not just the state of our nation (our politics and economics), but also the state of our soil, the state of our water, the state of our planet, and wherever we see abuse we are meant to heal and nurture.
Dr Debra Roberts, who is Deputy Head of Environmental Management in Durban reminds us that we have not been very caring or watchful at all when she says:
“The current Sixth Extinction is a patently human-caused event. There is little doubt that humans are the direct cause of ecosystem stress and species destruction in the modern world through activities such as transformation of the landscape, human-induced climate change, overexploitation of species, pollution and the introduction of alien species.”
What do you think about all this? Do you think our planet is under threat and needs greater care, or do you think all this environmental stuff is just liberal tree-hugging gone wild? Go to the Crux feedback section and let us know!