Environmental Stewardship
Christianity and ecology is a broad field that encompasses Christian theological reflection on nature, Christian liturgical and spiritual practices centered on ecological concerns, as well as Christian-based activism in the environmental movement.
Within the activism arena, "Green Christianity" refers to a diverse group of Christians who emphasize the biblical basis for protecting and celebrating the environment. The term indicates less a particular denomination than a shared territory of concern.
Christians emphasize the ecological responsibilities of all Christians as stewards of God's earth. Beginning with Genesis 1:26-28, Green Christians point to God's instructions that humanity protect the creation in God's name. Green Christians point out that the biblical emphasis is on stewardship, not ownership--that the earth remains the Lord's and does not belong to its human inhabitants. Leviticus 25:23 states:
"The land must not be sold permanently,
because the land is mine and you are but aliens and my tenants."