God’s Ecosystem
We highlight nature in the Bible to address today’s environmental challenges. By bringing nature to the forefront, we uncover deeper layers of our story, God’s story, and the story of all creation. Nature is a core part of the Biblical message—Earth is God’s ecosystem. As human actions disrupt this balance, we draw on this timeless message to guide us. In this narrative, we are key characters, capable of shaping its outcome through decisive action.
Abundance
God turned nothingness into a living order (Gen 1-2), gifted natural resources to people made in God’s image to work and care for them (Genesis 2:15).
Destruction
Human choices can destroy God’s creation, from the Genesis flood (Genesis 6-9) and Pharaoh’s oppression (Exodus 5-15) to the fall of Jerusalem.
Renewal
Our Lord is a God of renewal, from the Israelites’ return from Babylonian exile, Jesus’ resurrection, and restoration of Eden (Ezekiel 47, Revelation 22).
The Modern Story
The abundance-destruction-renewal pattern persists today. We have created unprecedented material abundance, but at the cost of environmental destruction, threatening long-term economic stability. However, renewal is possible—toward a sustainably abundant economy.
Abundance
In the modern age, humans have answered God’s call to work to create immense material abundance and immense civilizations.
Destruction
However, humanity’s call to care for God’s creation has lagged in the modern world. As a result we face the challenges of a changing climate, mass extinction, and contamination and degradation of natural resources such as water and soil.
Renewal
Yet, we have opportunities for renewal, to bring humanity back into balance with God’s full creation. However, we need to act sacrificially and creatively for the long-term good of all creation.
