The Christian View on Nature - Essay Example

This paper will analyze this attitude, utilizing works of various Christian scholars to show how this position is grounded, as well as show some counterarguments.

The divinely given responsibility

The process of creation of the world is described in the Book of Genesis. It features main elements, like the Days of Creation, as well as aftermaths such as the life of Adam and Eve. However, this text also has some important implications for contemporary Christians. Thus, it was argued that “the notion that humanity has the “responsibility” to exercise care over the earth from its higher position often results in not so much in “stewardship” that guards the earth as in domination and exploitation” (Chopp and Taylor 6). Indeed, other than being the most perfect creature, a human being is a creature with “responsibility”. Some might go as far as saying that the concept of the Original Sin should be focused exclusively on eating the fruits of the forbidden tree, but rather on abandoning the above-mentioned “responsibility”.

Creation and the Trinity
As it often happens in the Bible some earlier parts of it are related to the later one. In other words, the Bible is a set of interconnected books, though they were written at different times. That is why some scholars point out that there is a strong relationship between Genesis which is the first book of the Bible and the doctrine of the Trinity which is something that appeared much later. For example, it is explained that “Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer [the Three Persons of the Holy Trinity]… these terms refer … to God’s relations with the creation” (Hanson 42). In other words, one of the characteristic features of God the Father was the creation of the world. As a result, Christians are welcome to see nature as evidence that supports the existence of God. That is why it is often suggested that it should be regarded as sacred.

The failure of stewardship
There is an episode in the Book of Genesis that tells about the expulsion of Adam and Eve for they were not worthy to live in Eden. If one takes a look at contemporary humanity, one will have to note that it also should be expelled because it failed its “responsibility”: the majority of water and air is polluted; people continue creating materials that are extremely harmful to nature; all this damage was done in a relatively short period. In other words, if people were truly given the “responsibility” from God to manage the Earth properly, humanity was not able to live up to the expectations.

Alternative divine concepts
One would make no mistake that the Christian worldview is widely known and is accepted by the academic community. However, it is important to note that there are other views on the very same issues. Furthermore, the concept of the Trinity is unique to Christianity and is not found in other religions. This means that while it can provide an explanation of the world from a single position, numerous other explanations are neither better nor worse. As a result, people should not limit their perception to the Christian perspective and think that story of creation as well as the unique role of the people in nature should be regarded as the only correct one.

Conclusion
The Christian view on nature, the story of creation, and the role that is played by the early people is surely part of the universal heritage and should be taken into account while considering the ideas that humanity came up with. Thus, according to this position, when God created the world is gave Adam and Eve exclusive rights to manage the planet. Furthermore, the story of creation is closely connected to another Christian concept, such as Trinity. Nevertheless, the present day shows that people failed in their ability to manage nature properly. Moreover, the concept of the Trinity should not be seen as the only right concept. Read More