Journal: Pneumatikos
Volume: PNEUMATIKOS 16:2 (Fall 2025)
Article: A Biblical Approach To Stewarding Creation In A Fallen World
Author: Andrea Knauer

Pneumatikos 16:2 (Fall 2025) p. 23

A Biblical Approach To Stewarding Creation In A Fallen World

Andrea Knauer

Chafer Theological Seminary
Pylesville, MD, USA

Keywords: environmental stewardship, dispensationalism, creation care, natural resources, biblical conservation, private property, Creator-creature distinction, environmentalism

Abstract: This article examines a biblical approach to environmental (ecological) stewardship within a dispensational framework, emphasizing humanity’s grace-enabled role to care for creation until Christ’s return. Drawing from Genesis 1–3 and Old Testament Torah (laws), it highlights God’s delight in creation and the mandate to steward it responsibly despite the Genesis 3 curse. Alongside the above, this article promotes Israel’s teaching (laws) on resource management and private property as a model for sustainable stewardship, contrasting centralized control, and environmentalism’s preservationism. Advocating local, capital-driven stewardship, it critiques pagan ideologies that blur Creator-creature distinctions, urging believers to prioritize faithful stewardship and evangelism—trusting Christ’s ultimate restoration of creation.

Pneumatikos 16:2 (Fall 2025) p. 24

Introduction

Genesis 1 offers the narrative of God speaking all of creation into existence, and giving Adam and Eve, made in His image, the command to exercise authority over every living thing of His creation. Every plant and tree was given as food to both mankind and animals. The chapter concludes with God deeming it “very good’’ (Gen. 1:31). This response was more than just approving of the functional capability of the new creation, it speaks of God’s aesthetic judgment of success and a doxological response to a brilliant act of creation warranting delight and rejoicing, as in Proverbs 8:30–31.1 Soon thereafter, Adam and Eve’s sin and fall result in their eviction from the garden into a cursed creation that resists humankind (Gen. 3:17–18). As history progresses, God’s Torah (laws/teaching) give policies to Israel to live with care and stewardship toward His creation as one of their responsibilities. These principles are a model for environmental (ecological) and economic conservation that adheres to God’s order and design and resists ideas that distort God’s design for humanity’s role in creation.

G...

You must have a subscription and be logged in to read the entire article.
Click here to subscribe

visitor : : uid: ()