Creation and the Dominion Mandate
With the possible exception of Darwinistic laissez-faire capitalists, most people think it is a good idea to take care of the environment. Today is Earth Day. (No coincidence that it is also Lenin's birthday.) Good work for the environment was hijacked by leftists, but now they are more concerned with foisting anthropogenic climate change on the masses. Some are so weird, they want to give rivers and lakes personhood status! These people are evolutionists, but ironically, caring for the environment is in keeping with biblical creationist principles.
Back in Genesis, God gave Adam and Eve responsibilities to care for the Garden. This is called the dominion mandate. We are stewards and receive many of the benefits, but ultimately, God is the owner (see Psalm 50:7-15). It is not an exact comparison, but Mark 12:1-12 has the Parable of the Tenants. They worked for the owner and received some of the goods, but he retained all the rights — even after they became rebellious. God gave care of this big blue marble to us. We take care of it, obtain benefits, and seek to glorify him, but he still owns it and also upholds it with his power.
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| Cattle, Pixnio / Hagerty Ryan, USFWS |
Today, secular activists are very concerned about climate change. Ethicists are toying around with human/animal hybrids. Issues concerning the value of extremely disabled and sick babies or old people cause people to wonder if their lives are worth prolonging. These issues and more can confuse Christians; what biblical principles help us navigate these tough issues? We should not be surprised that we find the answer in Genesis.
To dig into the rest, see "The dominion mandate."