Is it interesting that modern Christian politics passionately defends the sanctity of life but often overlooks another divine responsibility — stewardship of creation? Why do issues like abortion, immigration, and religious freedoms dominate discussions while the Biblical call to care for the earth fades away? Yet Scripture entrusts humanity with a significant duty — to protect human life and all of God’s creation.

In Genesis 1:26–28, God gives humanity dominion over the earth — not for exploitation but for caretaking:

Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’

This mandate is urgent in light of today’s crises. Climate change — an “inconvenient truth” highlighted by Vice President Al Gore over 30 years ago — is now a stark reality. Its impacts disproportionately affect vulnerable communities and destabilize ecosystems, leading to widespread suffering and injustice. Yet Christianity — the world’s largest faith group with 2.38 billion followers — has largely remained silent on this critical issue.

This silence reflects not just an environmental failure, but a spiritual one. Our stewardship mirrors the character of the God we serve and serves as a testimony to the world. Neglecting creation is to disregard God’s command. Let’s discuss how Christians should reclaim their role as faithful stewards, challenge cultural legacies, and lead the fight against climate change, honoring God and future generations.

Let Them Have Dominion Over All the Earth

From the start, Scripture shows that dominion over creation means stewardship, not domination. The earth belongs to God, and humanity is entrusted with its care.

Psalm 24:1 reminds us:

The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein.

This verse highlights a crucial truth: mountains, rivers, and creatures are not ours to exploit, but to protect. Stewardship is an act of worship, aligning our actions with God’s care for His creation. Proverbs 12:10 emphasizes compassion in governance:

Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.

Unfortunately, humanity has fallen short. Evidence abounds — deforestation, polluted oceans, and erratic weather patterns. This failure is both environmental and spiritual. Ignoring creation care is ignoring God’s command. The question remains: will we repent and return to the responsibility God assigned us? Faithful stewardship reflects God’s glory and creates a legacy that leads back to Him.

Love Your Neighbor as Yourself

Mainstream Christian politics often focuses on issues like abortion and immigration. These topics are vital and rooted in Biblical values about life’s sanctity and dignity. However, they usually overshadow another pressing issue: care for God’s creation.

Consider this question: Can Christians indeed be pro-life while neglecting the environment that sustains life? Protecting the sanctity of life must extend to the air, water, and ecosystems that future generations depend on. Jesus’ command to love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:39) includes caring for the earth, which disproportionately impacts the poor and vulnerable. Ignoring this reality is not just an environmental oversight; it’s a failure of justice and love.

Reframing creation care as a pro-life issue broadens our understanding of honoring life. Addressing environmental crises and advocating for the unborn are not conflicting priorities; they are interconnected. Both affirm God’s design and demonstrate love for His creation.

Another challenge lies in the perception that climate change is rooted in scientific evidence rather than Biblical revelation. For some Christians, this creates skepticism, as they may view science and faith as opposing forces. However, Scripture itself testifies to the harmony between God’s creation and its pursuit of understanding. Proverbs 25:2 declares:

It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.

When approached with humility, scientific discovery can reveal the intricate beauty of God’s design and affirm our responsibility to care for His creation.

Scientists Have Been Telling Us for Years

Vice President Al Gore, a devout Southern Baptist, has been a leading voice on climate change for over 30 years. A Harvard graduate and a Vietnam veteran, Gore’s commitment to public service is evident in his two terms as Vice President (1993 — 2001). He narrowly lost the 2000 presidential election despite winning the popular vote, a loss attributed to the Electoral College. Gore is one of only six U.S. Presidents or Vice Presidents to win the Nobel Peace Prize, awarded in 2007 for his climate change efforts.

Gore began discussing climate change’s side effects on NBC’s Meet the Press in 1993, warning that while no single weather event could be definitively linked to climate change, the pattern of rising temperatures and increasing disruptions was undeniable. During an interview amid a record-breaking heatwave, he explained:

The majority of scientists have been telling us for years that the long-term warming trend greatly increases the odds that any given year will produce a much larger number of 100-degree days. And that trend has been borne out over the last several years. We’ve seen records broken with regularity.

Nearly 30 years later, Gore’s warnings have proven prescient. Global temperatures continue to break records, extreme weather events are more frequent, and the need for urgent action has grown. Gore’s 2006 documentary, An Inconvenient Truth, further brought climate science into public focus. The film, vetted by over 100 scientists, galvanized activism, sparked new diplomatic agreements, and encouraged innovations in renewable energy and electric vehicles.

Despite these efforts, the Christian community — comprising 2.38 billion followers — has largely lagged in addressing this crisis. Gore’s leadership as a man of faith allows Christians to view creation care not as a secular agenda, but as a Biblical mandate. As stewards of God’s creation, Christians must meet this challenge with the same urgency and conviction Gore has demonstrated for decades.

Why do believers, who represent the majority in 157 nations, not address this “inconvenient truth” with the leadership and action it demands? Climate change is a scientific issue and a spiritual responsibility rooted in Scripture. Christians must lead with faith, bringing hope and redemption to a world longing for restoration.

Wisdom That Comes Down from Above

Throughout history, humanity has sought to leave lasting legacies, evident in monuments like the Pyramids of Giza and the Pantheon. These structures endure because their creators dared to think beyond their lifetimes. By contrast, modern culture often prioritizes short-term efficiency and convenience, frequently at the expense of sustainability. Buildings and policies for temporary use reflect a lack of long-term vision and responsibility.

The Bible offers a better example. Noah’s Ark (Genesis 6:13–22) and Solomon’s Temple (1 Kings 6) were monumental projects rooted in obedience to God’s purposes, not human vanity. These undertakings represent godly ambition — aimed not at personal glory but at honoring the Creator and serving His people. James 3:14–16 provides a stark contrast between selfish ambition and wisdom from above:

But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.

Addressing climate change requires this godly ambition — bold, Christ-centered, and committed to stewarding creation for future generations.

The Egyptians and Romans — civilizations often at odds with God’s purposes — left behind monumental structures that stand as testaments to their ambition and vision. These enduring relics remind us of humanity’s capacity to think and build beyond a single generation. Yet, how is Christianity, the world’s largest faith, leaving a legacy of faithful stewardship and eternal significance that endures?

What would it look like for Christians to reclaim this kind of long-term thinking — not to glorify ourselves, but to honor God? How can we address the pressing challenges of our time, such as climate change, in ways that reflect our faith? Our calling is to leave a legacy far more significant than stone monuments — a witness to the Creator through faithful stewardship of His creation.

Whoever Is Righteous Has Regard for the Life of His Beast

Christians can begin addressing climate care in three tangible ways:

• Individual Action — Adopt sustainable practices like reducing waste, conserving energy, and supporting renewable initiatives. These small acts of stewardship reflect faithfulness to God.
• Community Action — Churches can lead by modeling creation care — reducing energy consumption, teaching stewardship, and partnering with conservation groups.
• Cultural Action — Advocate for policies that reflect Biblical stewardship and engage in conversations that frame creation care as a spiritual responsibility.

No matter how small, each action reflects obedience and can inspire others.

Store Up Treasures in Heaven

Ancient monuments remind us of humanity’s capacity for long-term thinking. Yet, as Christians, we are called to leave legacies of faithfulness, not stone. What will future generations see when they look back on our time? Will they see faithful stewards who cared for God’s creation or evidence of neglect and shortsightedness?

Genesis 12:2–3 offers a vision for an enduring legacy:

I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.

This is our opportunity to align godly ambition with humility, leaving a legacy rooted in faith, hope, and love. Let us act boldly, honoring God and building a sustainable future for generations. What we build today will echo into eternity — not for our glory, but for Him.

When future generations look back, will they see faithful stewards who honored God through creation care? Or will they see neglect and shortsightedness? Jesus reminds us in Luke 19:40:

I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.

Creation bears witness to God’s glory, and if we fail to act, the very earth will testify against our neglect.

I’m just a dad who blogs about the intersections of life, faith, family, and technology. These are the threads that weave through my personal and spiritual walk.