Caring for the Creation What Does the Bible Tell us?

Should ALL humans care for Nature?

Yes Genesis 1 : 26 is where we first find this written ANSWER Yes Genesis 1 : 26 is where we first find this written

Should Christians set an example?

… because Christians know about Genesis 1 : 26 ANSWER Yes … because Christians know about Genesis 1 : 26

The Hebrew for ‘rule’ in Gen The Hebrew for ‘rule’ in Gen. 1 : 26 comes from RADA, meaning a point ‘higher on the root’ of a plant RADA is where the centre of strength of the plant as a whole lies. Humans are to be as ‘rada’ to other species in Nature

Can you identify ‘rada’ on this plant?

What are our Basic Needs?

… and how are they obtained?

ANSWER God supplies our basic needs through NATURAL ECOSYSTEMS, which look after us as long as we look after them. However, there is a problem; that of Human Impact on ecosystems (forests, coral reefs, lakes, grasslands etc.)

Our economic activities impact on natural ecosystems, so … The more of ‘us’ the greater the impact The more we take, the greater our impact IMPACT = Population X Av. Consumption

Where in Scripture is ‘Go forth and multiply’ found? (1) Genesis 1 : 22 - aquatic animals, birds (Genesis 1 : 11 also makes provision for all species of plants to multiply) Genesis 1 : 28 - people Genesis 9 : 1 - people, in the story of Noah after the Flood (Provision for animals is in the story itself)

What is the CONTEXT ? The context of ‘Go forth and multiply’ is one of NEAR ZERO POPULATIONS

Today there are around 7 billion people …

And we are taking the habitats of other species …

…species that God declared ‘good’ (in GENESIS Chapter 1) Because the Earth is finite, resources we use up are in decline. Resources per capita are getting less. As well as Nature being under attack we ourselves are competing against one another and more people become… JOBLESS / LANDLESS

In Summary :

When we say ‘Thank you’ for God’s good Creation … …we may think it’s been made just for us. Has it?

ANSWER No Job 38 : 25 – 27 and 39 – 41 tell us that God would love His Creation even if humans were not present. Thus, the rest of the Creation has its own intrinsic worth.

All Creation has its own intrinsic value, independent of people

Why was the nation of Israel told to build up its numbers in the OT ? So it could be an effective witness to God’s holy character and Name among the nations (but they failed) What did God promise He would do when Israel failed in its witness? Jeremiah 31 : 33 says, “ … I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts.” (not now dependent on population increase for effect)

From OLD to NEW covenant Israel had 12 sons from whom came 12 tribes The nation of Israel was given a land with geographical boundaries. … but afterwards, Jesus chose 12 disciples from the existing population of Israel Jesus said, “The Kingdom of God is within you,” and “You must be born again.”

Jesus said, “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” John 12:32 … At the Cross Jesus paid for the sin of the world, and drew our hearts to Him. Now, through Christ, we want to do God’s will. This includes looking after His Creation, at personal cost if need be.

The Great Commission Matthew 28:18-28 Jesus did not tell His disciples, ‘Go forth and multiply’ but rather, ‘Go and make disciples of all nations,’ i.e. from those people already existing

How may we help Nature and turn around the Population Graph? Thanks to better medical care and nutrition, our survival rate has gone up. We now have a matching obligation to balance this through smaller families, to restore a place on Earth for the rest of God’s creatures (useful to us or not). Bilby (Picture: Save the Bilby Fund)

The Scripture says … The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. Romans 8 : 19 Photo: Creation Care Bible Study Workshop, Uganda

Is it difficult to encourage smaller family sizes Is it difficult to encourage smaller family sizes? Yes, but Jesus did not promise His followers an easy life. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith who, for the joy set before him, endured the cross … (and is seated in the place of honour by the throne of God). Hebrews 12 : 2 The End