Facilitating Spiritual Conversation and Societal Transformation

In a world fractured by division—religious, cultural, and ideological—environmental stewardship emerges as a unique space for connection. Caring for creation is not just an ecological act; it is a deeply spiritual one, rooted in the biblical call to steward God’s world (Genesis 1:28). For individuals seeking to participate in the Missio Dei—the mission of God—environmental care offers a powerful avenue to build bridges with others, including adherents of other faiths, environmental “nones” (those without religious affiliation), and “dones” (those disillusioned with institutional religion but passionate about ecological issues). This article explores how Redemptive Care, a holistic approach to caregiving that participates in God’s redemptive work, can transform environmental stewardship into a catalyst for spiritual conversation and societal transformation. By grounding our actions in Scripture and engaging culturally, individuals can embody the gospel in word and deed, fostering healing and reconciliation across divides.

 

The Biblical Foundation of Environmental Stewardship

The call to care for creation begins with God’s declaration in Genesis 1:31 that all He made was “very good.” Humanity, created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27), is entrusted with the responsibility to “work and keep” the earth (Genesis 2:15). This mandate is not about exploitation but about nurturing and preserving the intricate systems God designed. The Psalms echo this, proclaiming that the earth is the Lord’s (Psalm 24:1), and humanity’s role is to steward it for His glory.

Sin, however, has fractured humanity’s relationship with creation. Romans 8:19-22 describes creation as “groaning” under the weight of human rebellion, longing for redemption. This brokenness is not merely personal but corporate, manifesting in systemic issues like pollution, deforestation, and climate change, which harm both people and the planet. Redemptive Care recognizes that environmental stewardship is a participation in God’s redemptive mission to restore all things through Christ (Colossians 1:20). By addressing ecological harm, individuals join the Missio Dei, working toward the renewal of creation as an act of worship and witness.

 

Redemptive Care: A Holistic Approach to Environmental Action

Redemptive Care is more than addressing immediate needs; it is a transformative act that aligns with God’s mission to redeem individuals, communities, and creation itself. It integrates physical, emotional, social, and spiritual dimensions, acknowledging that true healing requires addressing the whole person and their environment. In the context of environmental stewardship, Redemptive Care involves practical actions—such as reducing waste, conserving resources, or restoring ecosystems—that reflect God’s heart for creation while opening doors for spiritual conversations.

For example, participating in a community garden not only promotes sustainable agriculture but also creates spaces for relationships with others who share a concern for the earth. These interactions can lead to discussions about the Creator behind the creation, fulfilling the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) through both deed and word. Redemptive Care insists that verbal gospel proclamation is essential, as it points to Jesus Christ as the source of ultimate redemption, transforming hearts and aligning them with God’s purposes.

 

Environmental Stewardship as Common Ground

Environmental challenges transcend religious and cultural boundaries, creating opportunities for individuals to connect with diverse groups. Adherents of other faiths, such as Muslims who view the earth as a sacred trust (Qur’an 33:72) or Buddhists who emphasize interconnectedness, often share a commitment to ecological care. Environmental “nones” and “dones,” while rejecting institutional religion, frequently prioritize sustainability, driven by a sense of moral responsibility or awe for nature. These shared values provide common ground for meaningful relationships.

For instance, joining an interfaith initiative like Interfaith Power and Light, which unites diverse religious communities to combat climate change, allows Christians to collaborate with others while embodying gospel values. Such efforts demonstrate love for neighbor (Matthew 22:37-39) and provide opportunities to share the hope of Christ’s redemptive work. By engaging with humility and cultural sensitivity, individuals can build bridges that invite others to explore the spiritual roots of their environmental passion.

 

The Missio Dei and Integral Mission

The Missio Dei frames environmental stewardship as part of God’s comprehensive plan to redeem all creation. This perspective aligns with the concept of integral mission, which, as articulated by the Lausanne Movement, integrates proclamation and demonstration of the gospel. Integral mission recognizes that caring for creation is not separate from evangelism but a vital expression of it. As René Padilla notes, “If we ignore the world, we betray the word of God which sends us out to serve the world” (Lausanne Movement, 2004).

For individuals, this means environmental actions are not merely ethical choices but acts of participation in God’s mission. Planting trees, advocating for clean energy, or reducing personal carbon footprints become ways to embody the kingdom of God, where justice, peace, and care for creation flourish. Yet, these actions must be paired with verbal proclamation, as Romans 10:14 emphasizes: “How can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?” The gospel message of salvation through Christ provides the eternal perspective that transforms temporary acts of care into lasting spiritual impact.

 

The Spiritual Anatomy of Environmental Care

Understanding the human soul’s condition deepens the significance of environmental stewardship. Sin has corrupted humanity’s relationship with creation, leading to exploitation and neglect. The “ecology of evil” where greed, materialism, and apathy reinforce one another—manifests in environmental degradation, such as deforestation driven by profit or pollution from unchecked consumption. Redemptive Care addresses this by fostering practices that counter these patterns, such as sustainable living and advocacy for systemic change.

For example, choosing to live simply, as encouraged by Christian environmental ethicists like Ruth Valerio, an environmentalist, theologian, and global advocate at TearFund UK, reflects a rejection of consumerism and an embrace of Christ’s humility (Philippians 2:6-11). This choice not only reduces environmental harm but also serves as a witness to others, inviting questions about the values driving such actions. By sharing the gospel in these moments, individuals point to Christ as the source of transformation, addressing both personal and corporate sin.

 

Cultural Engagement in Environmental Stewardship

Cultural diversity shapes how individuals perceive and address environmental challenges. Missional University’s Department of Cultural Studies emphasizes the need to “translate” the gospel into culturally relevant forms. In shame-based cultures, environmental care might be framed as restoring honor to the Creator by caring for His creation. In guilt-based cultures, it might focus on the moral imperative to correct ecological wrongs. Understanding these nuances allows individuals to engage others effectively, meeting them in their cultural context as Christ did (John 4).

For example, collaborating with indigenous communities to protect local ecosystems can incorporate their traditional ecological knowledge, respecting their cultural wisdom while sharing the gospel’s message of redemption. This approach avoids cultural imperialism, aligning with the Pentecost pattern (Acts 2) where the Holy Spirit affirms diversity while uniting people through Christ. Such intercultural engagement enriches environmental efforts and creates opportunities for gospel proclamation.

 

Addressing Systemic Sin in Environmental Challenges

Environmental issues often stem from systemic sin—corporate structures that perpetuate greed, exploitation, and injustice. The “confederacy of sinful desires” is evident in systems like unsustainable agriculture or fossil fuel dependency, which prioritize profit over people and planet. Biblically-based Redemptive Care requires individuals to confront these systems prophetically, advocating for policies that promote justice and sustainability.

For instance, supporting initiatives like the Fair Trade movement aligns with biblical calls to “speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves” (Proverbs 31:8). By choosing ethically sourced products, individuals challenge systems of exploitation while demonstrating God’s kingdom values. These actions, when accompanied by verbal proclamation, point to Christ’s lordship over all creation, inviting others to join in God’s redemptive mission.

 

Recent Initiatives in Environmental Stewardship

Recent initiatives illustrate how individuals can participate in Redemptive Care through environmental action. The Center for Ecological Regeneration at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary equips leaders to address climate crises through eco-theological education, fostering solutions that promote flourishing for all (Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, 2021). Similarly, A Rocha, a Christian conservation organization, engages in biodiversity preservation and community education, integrating creation care with gospel witness (A Rocha, n.d.). These efforts show how individuals can join global movements to address environmental challenges while sharing the hope of Christ.

Locally, individuals can participate in initiatives like community cleanups or urban farming projects, which address immediate ecological needs while building relationships. For example, the “Saying Yes to Life” campaign by the Church of England has inspired participants to adopt sustainable practices and integrate environmental care into their spiritual lives, leading to both personal and communal transformation (PMC, n.d.). These initiatives create spaces for dialogue, where the gospel can be shared naturally and authentically.

 

The Role of Verbal Gospel Proclamation in Environmental Stewardship

While actions like planting trees or reducing waste are vital, Redemptive Care insists that verbal gospel proclamation is the catalyst for true transformation. The soul’s condition—marked by spiritual death and disordered desires—requires the specific message of salvation through Christ (Ephesians 2:1-5). Environmental care can open doors, but only the gospel addresses humanity’s deepest need: reconciliation with God.

For example, when working alongside environmental “nones” in a recycling initiative, an individual might share how their faith motivates their actions, pointing to Jesus as the source of hope for both personal and planetary renewal. This proclamation must be biblically-based and culturally sensitive, as Missional University’s Department of Environmental & Scientific Theology highlights, finding points of contact with others’ beliefs while clearly articulating Christ’s unique role in the redemption of all of creation.

 

Building Bridges Across Spiritual Divides

Environmental stewardship creates opportunities to connect with those who might otherwise be closed to spiritual conversations. For “dones,” who may view institutional religion skeptically, shared ecological concerns can rebuild trust. By working together on projects like watershed restoration, individuals can demonstrate the gospel’s relevance, showing how faith informs action. Similarly, interfaith collaborations, such as those promoted by the Faith for Earth Initiative (UN Environment Programme, 2020), allow Christians to engage with other faiths respectfully, finding common ground while sharing the distinctiveness of Christ’s redemptive work.

These interactions embody the interculturality central to the Missio Dei. The Pentecost pattern affirms cultural diversity while uniting people through the gospel. By approaching environmental care with cultural humility, individuals can build relationships that lead to spiritual conversations, fulfilling the call to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19).

 

Practical Steps for Everyday Life

Individuals can engage in Redemptive Care through practical, everyday actions:

• Adopt Sustainable Practices: Reduce waste, conserve energy, and support ethical products to reflect biblical stewardship.
• Join Community Initiatives: Participate in local cleanups, community gardens, or advocacy groups to build relationships and demonstrate kingdom values.
• Engage Interculturally: Collaborate with diverse groups, learning from their perspectives while sharing the gospel in culturally relevant ways.
• Proclaim the Gospel: Use environmental actions as opportunities to share the hope of Christ, emphasizing His role in personal and societal transformation.
• Advocate for Systemic Change: Support policies that address environmental injustice, aligning with the biblical call to seek justice (Micah 6:8).

These steps, grounded in Scripture and informed by cultural awareness, enable individuals to participate in God’s mission while addressing the urgent ecological challenges of our time.

 

Conclusion: A Call to Redemptive Action

Environmental stewardship is more than an ethical obligation; it is a spiritual act of participating in the Missio Dei. Through Redemptive Care, individuals can address ecological challenges while building bridges with others, from adherents of other faiths to environmental “nones” and “dones.” By integrating practical actions with verbal gospel proclamation, Christians can embody the holistic transformation envisioned in Scripture, pointing to Christ as the source of hope for both people and planet. As Colossians 1:20 declares, Christ reconciles “all things” to Himself, inviting us to join in this redemptive work. Let us join God at work with courage, humility, and faith, healing common ground through environmental care and spiritual bridge-building.

 

Sources

• A Rocha. (n.d.). Our Story. Retrieved from https://www.arocha.org/en/our-story/
• Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. (2021). Center for Ecological Regeneration. Retrieved from https://www.garrett.edu
• Lausanne Movement. (2004). Holistic Mission. Retrieved from https://lausanne.org
• PMC. (n.d.). Activating Faith: Pro-environmental Responses to a Christian Text on Sustainability. Retrieved from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
• UN Environment Programme. (2020). Faith for Earth: A Call for Action. Retrieved from https://www.unep.org
• Watke, C. (n.d.). Redemptive Care and the Missio Dei: An Intercultural Framework. Missional University.