Why Christians Should Embrace Environmentalism

Edward Hsieh
The Environment
Published in
2 min readMay 21, 2023

The world is a gift to us. We need to cherish it. As Christians, caring for our planet is a critical part of our faith. We should be at the forefront of environmental conservation. This is not about politics; it’s about love and duty.

Photo by David Dibert

The Bible Teaches Stewardship

God makes it clear in the Bible: we are stewards of the Earth. Genesis 2:15 instructs, “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and keep it.” That’s not just about gardening — it’s a command for mankind to care for the planet.

A Duty We Must Fulfill

The environment isn’t an abstract concept — it’s God’s creation, deserving of our respect. When we care for the Earth, we honor Him. Remember Psalm 24:1, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. (NLV)” Loving God means respecting and protecting His creation.

God delibrately designed this world so that the human race may prosper. Abusing this only leads to our own suffering. From the trees that provide shade and materials, to the soils that allow them to grow, we must be stewards of the planet. Photo by Matthew Montrone.

Our Actions Influence the World

What we do affects everyone. Poor environmental choices disproportionately impact those least equipped to respond, creating a justice issue. As Christians, commanded to love our neighbors, addressing environmental issues is paramount to that love.

We have the power to make a difference, not just individually but also on a larger scale. By supporting companies with sustainable practices and advocating for environmentally friendly policies, we send a strong message.

What We Can Do

Recycling, conserving water, and using energy efficiently are small changes with significant impact. Churches can serve as educators and advocates, promoting environmental awareness and action. This is not only living out our Christian values but also influencing the community to do the same.

Photo by Pixabay.

Conclusion

The Christian call to environmentalism is clear. We are stewards, neighbors, and advocates for God’s creation. We can choose to live these values in a concrete way, not just for the environment’s sake, but for future generations and in reverence of God’s creation. Let’s use our faith, love, and duty to inspire action and change. Together, we can care for our home, this beautiful world.

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Edward Hsieh
The Environment

I believe most endeavors can be improved with a "from the ground up" philosophy.