WHEN people think of Christianity, they think of historical listed buildings, church services and prayer. But one of the less obvious, yet intrinsic, aspects of the Christian faith is its call to care for the environment.

Far from being a shiny, new addition to faith, the concern for the environment, or Creation has been woven into Christian teaching from the very beginning.

The Bible opens with a story not of human activity, but of Creation itself.

In Genesis, God forms the heavens and the earth, declaring all of it “very good”. Humanity is placed in a garden not as its owner, but as its caretaker.

The words used in Genesis 2:15 are striking: Adam is told to “work” and “take care of” the garden.

In the original Hebrew, the idea is one of stewardship and protection – humans are entrusted with and accountable for all of Creation.

This concept of stewardship lies at the heart of why many Christians support environmental causes today.

If the world is God’s Creation, then protecting it is an act of reverence.

Destroying forests and polluting rivers is not just a practical problem; it is, in fact, a spiritual one.

We disregard the Creator by abusing His Creation.

Jesus himself often spoke of the natural world. He refers to the lilies of the field, the sparrows, the mustard seed.

His metaphors remind us that the natural world reflects divine truth and deserves respect. Christian thinkers throughout the ages followed suit.

St Francis in the 13th century wrote his Canticle of the Sun extolling his “Brother Sun” and “Sister Moon” acknowledging all creation as God’s family.

Francis’ vision still inspires those of us who see environmental care not as a political agenda but as an expression of faith.

Today, the stakes are higher than ever before.

Climate change, heat waves, deforestation and the pollution of our waterways threaten not only ecosystems but also the people who live within them.

Jesus commands us to love our neighbours and the poor.

When rising seas and devastating monsoons displace coastal communities or droughts wipe out farmers, the mandate to care for the environment becomes a call to justice.

Caring for the Creation is inseparable from protecting human life.

Church leaders have joined this appeal. Catholics, Anglican and Orthodox leaders have all voiced their concern about climate change.

Other churches, citing similar concerns, often frame the discussion not as an ideological construction, but as an act of obedience.

Ecological responsibility is a matter of faith, no matter what your denomination.

Creation care is embedded in the first pages of Scripture and reverberates through centuries of faith.

At its root, Christian environmentalism rests on the conviction that the Earth is not ours to exploit. It is a gift to cherish.

To honour Creation is to honour the Creator.

Many churches mark the month of September as the Season of Creation.

This month, we are invited to renew our relationship with our Creator and all Creation through prayer, education and commitment.

Laura Armstrong

Licenced Lay Minister

North Creedy Benefice