Christian theological resources for environmental ethics

Abstract

This essay examines how selected Christian doctrines may inform contemporary environmental ethics. Particular attention is focused on the doctrines of creation, redemption and eschatology. The ethical models of dominion, stewardship, and co-creatorship are developed based on these theological doctrines. It is also argued that these ethical models must be explicitly rooted in the church’s biblical, creedal and theological tradition if they are to influence the values, virtues and practices of the church. The applicability of these models as resources for developing a public environmental ethic is also assessed.