However, in his groundbreaking Encyclical Laudato si', Pope Francis brings to light the true imperative of the Old Testament, New Testament, and humanity at large. Also, in a slightly less known arena, Groupthink's own Taylor Qualls wrote a piece in response to the Pope's work in praise of Francis' call to ecological, social, and economic repentance. I find myself in humbled by their words, but encouraged by their call to recognize "Nothing in this world is indifferent to us," which is why I would like to look at two Old Testament passages that speak on this issue.
Whether one believes the narrative of creation found in Genesis 1-2 as "factual" in the most literal sense or not, the truth of our relation to the created order of things is pervasive in the first two chapters of the book. It would seem by reading Gen. 1:1-3 that God has seen the chaos of "the formless void" and the "darkness" that is covering "the face of the deep" and has set out to restore it. Many believers find it more comforting to have a God that creates His own matter to begin the universe, but I find it much more comforting to know that our God saw what was and brought it into completion, restoring what was into something better.
It is in this example of of the Lord's exercise of power that we start to see what it means to be creative beings made in His image. We are called to have dominion over the creation as God had dominion over the chaos: Bringing it to a point of goodness through our involvement in it. I feel that Pope Francis is saying something similar in his remark "...Our human ability to transform reality most proceed in line with God's original gift of all that is." Along the lines of my prior statement and that of the Pope, I think this is furthered through seeing God's command to the man in 2:15 to till the earth and to watch over it.These words are not unique in the Hebrew Scpitures; 'abad (work/serve) appears almost 300 times and shamar (keep watch/preserve) appears over 450 times. In fact these aren't even fun words to syntax due to their simplicity!
The implication is far greater though, as the same infinitive 'abad is used in v. 5 to explain why there were no plants yet. Man is made as a helper to God, to help tend to what God gives life to. We ought to recognize these truths (that we serve a restorative God whose image we are made in and that we are made from the earth for the sake of aiding the earth) in our everyday choices. Going to the store is not simply about price point as a member of humanity; it is instead an activity in preserving the earth. Gardening is not something meant to be done because it makes you "cool," but it is us fulfilling our duty to watch over our part in Creation.
Another integral place in the Old Testament we see our duty to Creation as care takers is in everyone's favorite devotional book, Leviticus. In the 25th chapter, the author speaks on times of holiness and rest in the Israelite community. As many people know these two times are the shmita (literally meaning "release") every seventh year, and the Jubilee every 50th year. In preparation for the sabbath year, we are told that the Israelite people are to be dependent on God for a bountiful harvest so as not to have to plant the next year. This also hints at God's idea of conservation: Creation is not to be used simply as a means to gain, but as a reminder to whom we are dependent upon. When speaking on these passages, Francis remarks, "This implies a relationship of mutual responsibility between human beings in nature," that we are to care for Creation well so that it can continue to show us God and care for us.
Since there are obviously entire books (yeah people, plural; very, very plural) on the topic of man's responsibility within Creation to Creation, and I feel as though I am at a sufficient stopping point, I would encourage you to do a few things.
First, read the Pope's Encyclical.
Second, pray about the repentance Taylor mentioned in his blog post. Third, pray over an investigation into some of what I have mentioned.
Fourth (sorry, this is quite the homework list), check out some books by authors like Wendell Berry and Norman Wirzba.
And lastly, if you do nothing else on this list, meditate on one of closing lines of the opening section of Laudato si':
"If we approach nature and the environment without this openess to awe and wonder, if we no longer speak the language of fraternity and beauty in our relationship with the world, our attitude will be that of masters, consumers, ruthless exploiters, unable to set limits on their intimate need."
Grace and Peace.
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