Jesus' Identity and Christological Heresies Compare two Christological heresies and explain how the Creed clarifies Jesus’ identity. Submission Instructions: The paper is to be clear and concise, an

Environmental Stewardship and Creation

Jennifer Bacuylima

St. Thomas University

REL2560-OL1

Catholicism

Professor Luis Gonzalez

September 7, 2025

Environmental Stewardship and Creation

The creation story presents a significant reflection on the role of humankind to the environment. Gen 1-2 states that God forms heavens and the earth and declares his entire creation very good. The image of God has delegated human powers authority over the earth (Gen 1:26-28). Such dominion is not a right to submit to utilization but to guardianship. This work of human beings is to develop and nurture creation such that the order of things has a picture of the goodness the Creator intended.

Psalm 8 emphasizes this duty by stating that human beings are unique to creator. The psalmist wonders how God has established humans as small creatures below a god and given them dominion over the creation of his hands (Ps. 8:4-9). This dignity comes with the responsibility of respect and care because human beings do not behave like owners, rather they are the guardians. This priesthood is reflected in the Catechism of the Catholic Church which teaches that creation is to be glorified to God, and human beings should take care and maintain it.

It is further enhanced in the New Testament. In Colossians 1: 15-17 Christ is introduced as the image of the invisible God and the one who created everything in the world and holds it together. Such a Christ-centric perspective on creation is an environmental caring that goes beyond being considered an ethical obligation to being a Christological pose. Reading creation wrong means attending to no one in whom all things have their end. Additionally, the call of the Christ in the Great Commission in Mathew 28:19 to be witnesses to the kingdom of God involves a call to the believer to live as responsible stewards of the earth as a witness to the wealth of the sovereign God.

Environmental protection is a theological issue. In loving creation, humanity is the part of the continuing work of God in creating life, and God is love. During our ecological crisis, Christians are challenged to re-enter into their vocation as custodians, developing habits that defend natural resources, uphold ecological health as well as respect the Creator. Accordingly, stewardship is not a mere duty but also a form of worship since, in recognition of God as the ultimate source of life and its sustenance power.

References

Catholic Church. Catechism of the Catholic Church. 2nd ed. Vatican City: Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 1997. https://usccb.cld.bz/Catechism-of-the-Catholic-Church.

New American Bible Revised Edition. Washington, DC: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2011.