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SUMMARY of master’s thesis Principles of Environmental Ethics in the Bible Environmental ethics asks how humans should relate to the environment and live in it. Environmental ethics also studies how different worldviews influence... more
SUMMARY
of master’s thesis
Principles of Environmental Ethics in the Bible
Environmental ethics asks how humans should relate to the environment and live in it. Environmental ethics also studies how different worldviews influence one’s ecological mindset and behavior. The purpose of the present thesis is to research the whole text of the Bible to ascertain biblical principles of environmental ethics. The research tries to determine the value of nature as presented by evaluations, rules, principles and guidelines found in the biblical text. The second research task is to ascertain the proper attitude, role and responsibilities of humans concerning the environment as prescribed in the Bible.
The theses of this work are the following:
1) The natural environment is valued in the Bible from its origin, which is confirmed by the evaluation given by its Creator;
2) Biblical environmental ethics is not anthropocentric nor ecocentric, but theocentric;
3) Man’s role is to be a good steward over God’s creation and to be responsible before God, its owner, for managing every kind of resource available in the world.
Methodologically I have used a combination of qualitative and quantitative analysis to ascertain and analyze passages of the Bible which discuss values and principles of environmental ethics.
The thesis consists of four main parts. In the introductory part, I present the main goals of the work, its methodology and hypotheses. The second part gives an overview of the main questions of environmental ethics. In it there is a synopsis of the discussion on the (inner) value of nature and the question of moral status. It also presents the anthropocentric, ecocentric and theocentric views of nature, and an overview of research on environmental ethics of the Bible. The third and most voluminous part presents in tabular form all passages of the Bible which discuss the value of nature or humanity’s role concerning the environment. Further, it presents an analysis of key passages to explain the background and message of these texts. The following concepts are covered: creation and nature; God’s commission to man to manage creation; man’s task to take care of the land; humanity’s fall into sin and its results; world, land and ownership of it; offerings; the sabbath day and sabbatical year; tithing; the New Testament on man’s stewardship role; environmental virtues; the principle of agape-love; biblical eschatology about the final fate of nature. The fourth part summarizes the results of the research and presents conclusions on biblical environmental principles.
On the basis of the biblical text we can state that the whole of nature and each of its parts are valuable. God’s evaluation after the work of creation and later given laws for the protection of animals and the land witness to the inner value of nature. On the other hand, the Bible sees nature largely as having instrumental value to ensure humans’ living environment. At the same time, nature plays a certain role in God’s larger plan for humanity and the universe.
The principal character in the Bible is God, who already existed before the beginning of the physical world. The universe was God’s idea; he created it and he has continuous control over it, even though he has given the management of the world’s resources into human hands. The Bible also ends according to God’s decision, not humans. Accordingly, the Bible’s worldview is thoroughly and consistently theocentric. Man is, by his God-like nature, unique among all other creatures and he has a trusted, special role in managing nature. Nevertheless, the Bible’s view is not anthropocentric nor ecocentric, but God-centered.
Humanity has, in the Bible, different roles and responsibilities. Man’s role concerning nature is most accurately described by the concept of stewardship. The whole world and everything in it belongs to God and the human’s role is to manage it responsibly. Virtues, and especially agape love, give humans the volition and ability to fulfill this task.
Based on the above findings one can assert that the theses of this work have been found confirmed. Additionally, this work revealed another aspect – that man’s capability in the role of steward depends on his relationship with God. Humanity’s relationship with nature began with creation, when man became part of creation. Man was created to live in harmony with his Creator and nature. Biblical research shows that one relationship is connected with other. Man’s volition and capacity to care for creation depends, among other things, upon his relationship with his Creator. Thus is man’s irresponsibility in the fulfillment of his role as steward explicable by his estrangement from God. On the other hand, reconciliation with the Creator provides humans with a clearer perspective on God’s expectations concerning the responsibility of stewardship, and divine agape love gives the needed volition and capability.
The contribution of the present thesis can be regarded as ascertainment of principles of environmental ethics in the Bible based on the Old and New Testaments and upon expert exegetical analysis of and commentaries on the text. Therefore, the results of this thesis are reliable and applicable in further research for comparison and evaluation of the impact of different worldviews on environmental ethics. Since information about biblical environmental ethics in Estonian has been insufficient, the present thesis fills an essential gap and is applicable by people who rely in their lives on the principles of the Bible.
of master’s thesis
Principles of Environmental Ethics in the Bible
Environmental ethics asks how humans should relate to the environment and live in it. Environmental ethics also studies how different worldviews influence one’s ecological mindset and behavior. The purpose of the present thesis is to research the whole text of the Bible to ascertain biblical principles of environmental ethics. The research tries to determine the value of nature as presented by evaluations, rules, principles and guidelines found in the biblical text. The second research task is to ascertain the proper attitude, role and responsibilities of humans concerning the environment as prescribed in the Bible.
The theses of this work are the following:
1) The natural environment is valued in the Bible from its origin, which is confirmed by the evaluation given by its Creator;
2) Biblical environmental ethics is not anthropocentric nor ecocentric, but theocentric;
3) Man’s role is to be a good steward over God’s creation and to be responsible before God, its owner, for managing every kind of resource available in the world.
Methodologically I have used a combination of qualitative and quantitative analysis to ascertain and analyze passages of the Bible which discuss values and principles of environmental ethics.
The thesis consists of four main parts. In the introductory part, I present the main goals of the work, its methodology and hypotheses. The second part gives an overview of the main questions of environmental ethics. In it there is a synopsis of the discussion on the (inner) value of nature and the question of moral status. It also presents the anthropocentric, ecocentric and theocentric views of nature, and an overview of research on environmental ethics of the Bible. The third and most voluminous part presents in tabular form all passages of the Bible which discuss the value of nature or humanity’s role concerning the environment. Further, it presents an analysis of key passages to explain the background and message of these texts. The following concepts are covered: creation and nature; God’s commission to man to manage creation; man’s task to take care of the land; humanity’s fall into sin and its results; world, land and ownership of it; offerings; the sabbath day and sabbatical year; tithing; the New Testament on man’s stewardship role; environmental virtues; the principle of agape-love; biblical eschatology about the final fate of nature. The fourth part summarizes the results of the research and presents conclusions on biblical environmental principles.
On the basis of the biblical text we can state that the whole of nature and each of its parts are valuable. God’s evaluation after the work of creation and later given laws for the protection of animals and the land witness to the inner value of nature. On the other hand, the Bible sees nature largely as having instrumental value to ensure humans’ living environment. At the same time, nature plays a certain role in God’s larger plan for humanity and the universe.
The principal character in the Bible is God, who already existed before the beginning of the physical world. The universe was God’s idea; he created it and he has continuous control over it, even though he has given the management of the world’s resources into human hands. The Bible also ends according to God’s decision, not humans. Accordingly, the Bible’s worldview is thoroughly and consistently theocentric. Man is, by his God-like nature, unique among all other creatures and he has a trusted, special role in managing nature. Nevertheless, the Bible’s view is not anthropocentric nor ecocentric, but God-centered.
Humanity has, in the Bible, different roles and responsibilities. Man’s role concerning nature is most accurately described by the concept of stewardship. The whole world and everything in it belongs to God and the human’s role is to manage it responsibly. Virtues, and especially agape love, give humans the volition and ability to fulfill this task.
Based on the above findings one can assert that the theses of this work have been found confirmed. Additionally, this work revealed another aspect – that man’s capability in the role of steward depends on his relationship with God. Humanity’s relationship with nature began with creation, when man became part of creation. Man was created to live in harmony with his Creator and nature. Biblical research shows that one relationship is connected with other. Man’s volition and capacity to care for creation depends, among other things, upon his relationship with his Creator. Thus is man’s irresponsibility in the fulfillment of his role as steward explicable by his estrangement from God. On the other hand, reconciliation with the Creator provides humans with a clearer perspective on God’s expectations concerning the responsibility of stewardship, and divine agape love gives the needed volition and capability.
The contribution of the present thesis can be regarded as ascertainment of principles of environmental ethics in the Bible based on the Old and New Testaments and upon expert exegetical analysis of and commentaries on the text. Therefore, the results of this thesis are reliable and applicable in further research for comparison and evaluation of the impact of different worldviews on environmental ethics. Since information about biblical environmental ethics in Estonian has been insufficient, the present thesis fills an essential gap and is applicable by people who rely in their lives on the principles of the Bible.