Stewards of the Earth's Resources: A Christian Response to Ecology

Abstract

This paper argues that Christian beliefs do not necessarily contribute to the environmental crisis by reducing the earth to a possession to be exploited and populated by people. It examines the nature of the earth as an independent creation of God that is entrusted to human beings as trustees of a creation that possesses a deep worth reflecting God's glory and creation impulse. The paper discusses the 2000 year old tradition of stewardship as an ethic to develop and defend environmental stewardship.

Keywords: stewards, stewardship, Christian theology, God's creation, ethics of stewardship, Environmental critique of Christianity