Martin de Wit
Professor of Environmental Governance at Stellenbosch University, South Africa
Responsible Creation Care in an Age of Conflicting Ideologies
Thursday, October 2, 2025, @ 4:00 PM
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https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85995576293?pwd=WrPrTdDhB0ih1m2tq3gJAB2RXrYH2p.1
Abstract
Based on a rigorous understanding of the biblical discourse, there is no credible evidence to support the claim that authentic Christian spirituality conflicts with a responsible view of creation care. Some scholars do agree, however, that a critique is called for: This includes certain perspectives on God’s relationship with creation, on humankind’s spiritual, but also earthly, bodily and material value, on the implications of salvation for all of creation, and on certain future escapist expectations. Biblically, the narrative clearly articulates this world as God’s creation from Genesis to Revelation. Guidelines for an effective response are that creation care needs to arise from the core of Christian faith and that Christians cannot responsibly act as if there is any part of creation or human action that falls outside the scope of the gospel as revealed in Scripture.
Biography
Martin de Wit is Professor of Environmental Governance at Stellenbosch University, South Africa and coordinates the School of Public Leadership’s Postgraduate Diploma and Master’s Programmes in Environmental Management. His research work focuses on care for creation, the interactions between the economy and the environment (notably climate, ecosystems, energy, and waste), and on the place of the human person in environmental governance and social order. His latest book, written in Afrikaans, is called Skeppingsorg: ‘n Aanset tot interpretasie van sekere Bybeltekste oor die mens se verhouding tot die natuurlike omgewing [Creation Care: An Onset to Interpreting Certain Biblical Texts on Humanity’s Relationship to the Natural Environment] (Durbanville: AOSIS, forthcoming). He serves on the Board of Directors of the creation care organization A Rocha.
Sponsored by: UBC Graduate & Faculty Christian Forum & Canadian Scientific & Christian Affiliation
Build Your Reading List on Creation Care
Steven Bouma-Prediger, For the Beauty of the Earth.
Douglas Moo, Creation Care: A Biblical Theology of the Natural World.
R. J. Berry & Laura S. Meitzner Yoder, John Stott on Creation Care.
Loren Wilkinson & Peter Harris, Circles and the Cross: Cosmos, Consciousness, Christ, and the Human Place in Creation.
Darrel Falk, On the Divine Origin of Our Species.
Dennis Hollinger, Creation and Christian Ethics: Understanding God’s Design for Humanity and the World.
Faith Skinner, Living Green, Loving God: A Christian Guide to Creation and Conservation.
https://podcast.app/onscript-p119883/
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