Biblical Answer

The Bible teaches us that God created the earth and entrusted it to humanity to care for and manage. In Genesis 1:28, God commands humanity to "be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth." This mandate is not just a command to multiply and fill the earth, but also to care for and manage it in a responsible manner. As caretakers of the earth, we have a responsibility to use our resources wisely and to preserve the earth for future generations.

However, it is essential to note that the Bible does not teach that the earth is fragile and in danger of destruction. On the contrary, the Bible teaches that the earth is a temporary home for humanity and that it will be destroyed at the end of the ages. This perspective is often referred to as the "young earth" view, which suggests that the earth is relatively young, perhaps 10,000 to 20,000 years old. This view is based on scientific arguments and biblical interpretations that suggest that the earth is not millions of years old, but rather a relatively recent creation.

In light of this understanding, our approach to caring for the earth should be centered on responsible stewardship, rather than a sense of urgency and desperation. We should strive to use our resources wisely, to preserve the earth's natural beauty, and to ensure that our actions do not harm future generations. However, we should not be motivated by a fear of the earth's destruction, but rather by a desire to honor God and to care for His creation as responsible caretakers. By adopting this perspective, we can approach environmental issues with a sense of hope and optimism, knowing that we are called to care for the earth as a temporary home for humanity.