A: Genesis 1:26-28 is a passage that just as many defenders of the environment quote with passion as do those who think all this green talk is just a fad and we should do whatever we want to do with the earth. The word on which everything hangs is “dominion”, taken from the Hebrew verb radah.
People who think the Bible gives them license to treat the earth however they want walk on some theologically tenuous ground in claiming that dominion means they can do whatever they want to it. While dominion implies a hierarchy that places humans in charge, it does not implicitly mean humans are to abuse the earth with no regard for the future.
Dominion can best be explained within the greater context of the Bible, looking at how God expected people to act when He entrusted them with great responsibility and leadership over others. How we "rule" the earth is important. Thinking that the earth is yours to do with as you will is out of character with what God calls His followers to do. Caring for the broken and the sick and the poor are all undeniably part of God’s heart for this world. He is a God who cares for everything, both great and small. Writers all throughout the Bible mention time and again how much God cares for His creation. If this is the case, why would God give us a license to abuse it into oblivion?
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Q: What does the Bible mean when it says we are to have dominion over the earth?
Posted on February 18, 2009
by Jason Chatraw
Does "dominion" imply dominate at all costs? Or does it mean we are to be the lead caretakers for the earth?
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Written by Jason Chatraw
Jason Chatraw is the Creation Care coordinator for the Western Region and serves at the Vineyard Boise Church as the Let's Tend the Garden ministry director. He co-authored Saving God's Green Earth with Tri Robinson and Mystics, Mavericks & Miracle Workers with Eric Sandras. More About Jason »
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Cliff B. says:
Very true...Responsibility is a good translation for dominion. Any ruler in God's economy is supposed to exercise wisdom. It is interesting that right after "dominion" in verse 29, we are instructed to be vegetarians:
Gen 1:29 Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.
And in chapter 2, responsibility really rears its head in the Amplified version:
Gen 2:15 And the Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to tend and guard and keep it.
It is amazing that people thing "dominion" lacks accountability to the one who gave it. The parables say otherwise.