Human Ecology From the Bible Perspective (Essay Sample)

Human Ecology from the Bible perspective
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Introduction
God created the world and everything in it by His own design and pronounced that everything was good. There is interdependence between the world and humanity, and human depends on the world, its resources in order to survive. God is actively involved in the world’s continuing process of creation, and He remains the Sovereign being in the universe. The changing nature of the world and humankind does not change who God is; He is the provider and sustainer of life as he did at the beginning of time. The sinfulness of the world and rebellion of humankind has not changed the fact that the place of God. God is actively involved in the creation process and continues to sustain the human race even though the world has become a corrupted place for His creation to dwell in. This paper discusses what Rolston says about the human ecology, and highlights the main theological perceptions that the author raises in his discussion.
Human Ecology, Theological Principles and Care for the Environment
Rolston views the world as the place that was created by God for the human race to dwell. In the beginning, when God created the world, he pronounced it as a good system where the human race was to live and enjoy the goodness in it. Even after the fall of man, God did not cancel the functions of the world system and the Garden, He let the man have the provisions in it and use it for survival. Until today, the beauty of the world is experienced by the breezes, beautiful flowery fields and other beautiful natural sceneries. This is an indication that God is actively involved in the process of creation to ensure provision of humankind. The humans partake of the good things in the world and use it for survival. God actively works through humanity to improve the forms of the world to suit human needs. The changing nature of the world and the new order portrays God’s continuous existence in the world and his good intent to ensure the world system functions for the good of humanity.
According to Rolston, human ecology is not limited to the past creation, and God continues to evolve and create the world even today. The changing form of the world is continuous which displays God’s continuous and active involvement in the ongoing creation. The perceptions that God is the sole provider and sustainer of humankind portrays that God is involved in the physical, social and spiritual systems of the world. Though the world has become corrupt, the human ecology is still under His care, and He promises to protect mankind even at the face of the worldly evil. God ensures there is the orderly operation of the system of the world by sending rain and sun to all humankind, both the just and the unjust. He does not discriminate against the human race and He remains the Sovereign ruler of the whole universe.
Rolston offers theological perspectives that help us understand the human ecology and the relationship between human beings and the environment. Rolston holds to the theological view that God’s Sovereign power over the universe not only derives from His creative works but also from the power that God has to the provider and sustainer of humanity. God preserves the environment and ensures orderly operations in the ecological system to sustain the world and everything in it. He continues to empower and guide mankind towards shaping the world to achieve His purposes. For instances, God uses mankind and empowers them to engage in concretion with Him through innovating new medicines to deal with emerging health issues, and technology to make life more livable. This is an indication that God continues to create and sustain humanity through guiding mankind to His purposes.
Moreover, the article highlights that sometimes God uses supernatural means to intervene in worldly situations. This indicates that God may go out of His usual way of working in the world, and uses nature and culture to cause events that fulfill His purposes. Miracles performed by God such as healing, raising the dead and calming of the wind indicates that God may function in an unusual way to ensure care for the needs a...