Safeguarding the Environment in the Light of the Covenant

Abstract

When the Biblical foundations of Christian environmental ethics are discussed, emphasis is usually placed on the theology of creation. However, the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church starts with confidence based on the experience of Exodus, and states that “this reflection permits us to look to the future with hope, sustained by the promise and the covenant that God continually renews”. I argue that the theology of the covenant (not only with Noah) could and should supplement the traditional biblical themes used in the environmental discussion. The motif of the covenant not only links together various biblical texts relevant to environmental ethics, e.g. the story of Noah, Moses’ laws protecting animals, rules for the Sabbath, and prophetic visions of renewal, but also provides practical inspiration for environmentally responsible behavior.