[asa] a thought for earth day (tomorrow)

The relationships of humanity to the rest of creation in the 2 creation accounts of Genesis have been the subject of a lot of discussion in recent environmental theologies. In Gen.1 humanity is given "dominion" over the earth, a concept that has provoked some controversy. It can be (& often has been) understood as a simplistic "domination," with resulting destructive effects on the natural world, but also can (& IMNHO) should be seen as part of the definition of what it means for humanity to represent God in caring for creation. That note seems much less ambiguous in Gen. 2, in which humanity is commanded (v.15) to "serve" and "guard" the garden (better translations than "till" and "keep").

HOWEVER - The 2 accounts of Genesis aren't the only creation texts in the Bible. Reading Ps.104 this morning, it struck me that in this hymn of creation, in which several types of living things are mentioned, the human has no special place at all. God brings forth bread & wine & oil for humans (vv.14b-15) - but also grass for cattle (14a). People have the day for work (23) - just as the lions & other animals have the night to seek food (20-22). The only things special about humans here is implicit in the fact that it is they who can express their praise in this form.

Of course this doesn't mean that other texts about the human role in creation should be ignored. But this psalm is a helpful correction to the notion that it's all about us.

Shalom
George
http://web.raex.com/~gmurphy/

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Received on Sat Apr 21 10:08:55 2007