CONCEPT AND PRACTICE OF CARE OF CREATION

Abstract

Care for Creation is one of the Social Teachings of the Church, and even though it is often mentioned last in the list of Social Teachings, Care for Creation is not the least of importance. Yet sadly, this would seem how the world currently perceives creation. It is evident when we see our country or even the world at large - take God’s gifts, nature itself, and its resources for granted; not caring and protecting it from the greed of humanity, and eventually causing or reinforcing damage to the environment like climate change, erosion, flooding and the diminishing number of biodiversity.

Many modern theories criticize Scripture-based religions for their claim that humans are the pinnacle of God’s creation and stewards who must “subdue the earth” and are therefore responsible for many of our current environmental problems. A brief presentation of key points will be shared to present how the Scriptures, and particularly the gospels value the environment as a blessing, and the Gospels also speak of the responsibility that goes with caring for the earth.

This paper hopes to recognize that many of our youth today are still able to respect, understand, and value the gift of God’s creation. Despite the modern, digital, fast-paced, consumeristic world, there is a need to bridge the concepts of Care for Creation and the practices that may ascertain sustainable efforts.

The earth’s growing population cannot afford to waste any valuable resources available. As resources are being used for industrialization, and are left unchecked, problems like pollution, deforestation, environmental contamination, and diminishing biodiversity expose everyone to danger. We do not only endanger the environment, we disrespect all life, including our own, - gifts that God has given us to protect, care for and develop.

God is not calling us to be wasteful and selfish, but to be forever grateful, - giving value to the gift of God’s creation and passionately caring for its preservation and protection as true stewards