A BIBLICAL APPROACH TO ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY: REFLECTIONS ON LYNN WHITE'S DOMINION DEBATE

  • Philomena Aku Ojomo, PhD
Keywords: Environmental sustainability, Judeo-Christian tradition, Lynn White, Bible, Dominion, Stewardship

Abstract

Tracing the historical roots of ecological crisis in the world, Lynn White claimed that much of the techno-scientific culture that ravenously exploits and depletes the environment was influenced by Judeo-Christian tradition. He specifically recalls the mandate by God in the book of Genesis that man should dominate and subdue the earth as the take-off point. Labelling Christianity as the most anthropocentric religion, he surmises that through ideological influence, Judeo-Christian tradition is a culprit in the environmental degradation that we witness today. However, further musings on the said Genesis account, in the light of other clarifying body of revelation,evinces that the idea of domination that connotes exploitation is an honest misinterpretation of the text. When God made everything, He commented that all He had created was good. Also, man was made in the image and likeness of God. Hence, it is expected that man ought to look at creation with the eyes of God and treat it with awe, reverence, and respect since it is all good. More so, God's chief attribute is love and this love is also extended to all living and non-living things; so it is hardly justifiable to say that God meant man to treat the environment without consideration for the intrinsic value of theenvironment. As we shall see, the idea of domination mentioned in Genesis is relatable to man's kingly role as a rational creature in the earth. But what is God's perspective of kingship? Two concepts suffice- stewardship and service. This paper therefore intends to reflect on the debate engendered by Lynn White, with the intention of giving an alternative interpretation to the subject matter and showing that if anything, the Judeo-Christian tradition rather contributes positively to environmental sustainability.

Published
2023-04-22
Section
Articles