"It goes without saying that one of our main callings is to care for the Earth. The Bible uses a variety of phrases to talk about this, such as "to work and keep" the garden (Gen. 2:15, ESV), to "have dominion" over all the animals (Gen. 1:28, ESV), and to "rule over" "the works of [God's] hands" (Ps. 8:6, NIV). Though some secular critics argue that the language of dominion and rule has led to exploitation, anyone familiar with the biblical context knows these words are about stewardship: We have authority, all right, but it is the authority given to a caretaker to manage things on behalf of another." "Let the Sea Resound", Christianity Today editorial, August 2010
"The first job God gave humans was to manage and take care of his "stuff" on earth. That role has never beenrescinded. It is a part of our purpose today. Everything we enjoy is to be treated as a trust that God has placedin our hands. Rick Warren in "What On Earth Am I Here For?" 2002
You have established the earth and it continues. All things stand this day according to your directions. For all things are your servants (Ps. 119:91). God himself loves the earth dearly and never takes his hands off it. And because heloves it and it is good, our care of it is also eternal work and a part of our eternal life." Dallas Willard in "The Divine Conspiracy", 1998
"These are the two factors that lead to the destruction of our environment: money and time—or to say it another way, greed and haste. The question is, or seems to be, are we going to have an immediate profit and an immediate saving of time, or are we going to do what we really should do as God's children?" Francis A. Schaeffer in "Pollution and the Death of Man", 1970
"We must take into consideration God's authentic purpose for this planet. We must be responsible stewards of the resources we have been given by God, and I believe we have gone too far too fast and put elements of the environment in jeopardy." Billy Graham in "Storm Warning," 1992
"The main thing we are to manage is creation's ability to glorify the Creator. The Bible is replete with the idea that all creation—everything from rocks and trees to badgers and eagles—is to witness to divine grace: "Let theheavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy; they will sing before the Lord …" (Ps. 96:11-13a, NIV). From "Let the Sea Resound", Christianity Today editorial, August 2010
"By creation man has dominion; but as a fallen creature he has used that dominion wrongly. Because he is fallen, he exploits created things as though they were nothing in themselves, and as though he has an autonomous right to them." Francis A. Schaeffer in "Pollution and the Death of Man," 1970
"Let him who possesses a field, so partake of its yearly fruits, that he may not suffer the ground to be injured by his negligence; but let him endeavor to hand it down to posterity as he received it, or even better cultivated." John Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, 1554
"When concern for economic and technological progress is not accompanied by concern for the balance of the ecosystem, our earth is inevitably exposed to serious environmental damage, with consequent harm to human beings. Blatant disrespect for the environment will continue as long as the earth and its potential are seen merely as objects for immediate use and consumption, to be manipulated by an unbridled desire for profit." Pope John Paul II
"Did God make the world? Does he sustain it? Has he committed its resources to our care? His personal concern for his own creation should be sufficient to inspire us to be equally concerned. " John R.W. Stott
"Is there any point at which we need to say that we humans have gone too far, demanded too much, forced other creatures to sacrifice too much on our account? What justifies such an extravagant, ongoing indulgence of one self-centered species at the expense of God's beautiful planet?" Brian McLaren
