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Teachings of the Bible and the Christian Church About Human Responsibility for the World

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Teachings of the Bible and the Christian Church About Human Responsibility for the World

The Bible contains many teachings about our human responsibility towards the created world. It talks about the start of creation in Genesis. Here it is made clear that human beings are made in the image of God so that they can continue his good work. At the outset they are given power over the rest of creation and now if all humans work together to make the world a better place they will be more powerful so it will happen, but even if just a few people are not willing to help then all will fall apart (see poster).

The other implication here is that the power comes with responsibility. The role of human beings …show more content…

Unfortunately, the people most affected are those who are poorer. The greed and pollution of people in the Northern Hemisphere is having a serious impact on global warming and the worst effects f this are experienced not by us in the Northern Hemisphere but by those in the Southern Hemisphere. These people, already living in great poverty, then suffer even greater problems in terms of severe droughts, famines, flooding etc., which leaves them even poorer. The Bible makes it quite clear that in terms of looking after the world, we have a duty not only to look after the environment but also to look after our fellow human beings. Hence the most important teaching, "Love thy neighbour as yourself". Jesus made it quite clear in the story he told about the Good Samaritan that our neighbour is anyone and everyone who is in need, even our enemy, irrespective of their race/colour/religion.

Another important teaching, called one body many parts, makes it clear that human beings physically make up the body of God here on Earth. We are therefore his hands; his feet etc and therefore we should do what he would do himself if he were physically present. What we should do is look after our neighbour. Furthermore, if just some of us, (one tiny bit of the body) does not do what it is supposed to do then everyone else will be weakened. We must work together in

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