Christianity (Religion) and Natural Resources Conservation:The Environmental Theology Perspective

This review research was carried out to investigate the relationship between Christianity (Religion) and environmental resources conservation using the Environmental Theology prism. It was observed that from the story of creation in the Holy Bible, God gave man unfettered dominion to increase and multiply, subdue, dominate, kill and till nature to meet his daily needs. This domineering attitude and authority given to man from creation has led man to do all sorts of unkind, unsustainable exploitation and abuse on other aspects of the environment, not minding the degree and spate of regeneration and the commensurate waste generated by man. This mistake of creation and the authority of domineering was further displayed by Jesus Christ, a cotraveler in the history of creation to curse the fig tree on his way to Jericho, not minding the season for the fig tree to bear fruits, not even considering other environmental services that the fig tree could provide like nutrient recycling, carbon sink, wind breaking function, water cycle services and carbon sequestration among others. For Jesus to have done this, it means He is an anti-environment. Several portions of the scriptures where irresponsible environmental decisions and actions were carried out were x-rayed and it was discovered that the biblical account of creation and other environmental practices suggested that the Christian religion was against the environment. But on further observations, the same Holy bible became environmentally conscious about the state of the environment. Hence, this synopsis for promoting sustainable environment has been captured by the postulations and teaching of Environmental Theology. It was however discovered that Environmental Theology has the answers to most global environmental issues being faced by man, all hidden in the bible. It was recommended among others that there should be a curriculum overhauling to include Environmental Theology in all school curriculums, especially for environment and religion related courses.