Izvorni znanstveni članak
Roman Globokar
; Teologija u Rijeci, Područni studij Katoličkog bogoslovnog fakulteta u Zagrebu, Rijeka, Hrvatska
Sažetak
Man is today aware of the ecological crisis more than ever. Some people comprehend the narrative of creation at the beginning of the Bible as the reason for man’s destructive attitude towards nature, thus seeking for the foundations of ecological ethics outside Christianity. A thorough analysis of the message from the first two chapters of Genesis is dealt with. Nature is God’s creation and a sacrament of God’s presence therefore it has its own internal reasonableness and value. Man is a part of the creation and thus essentially linked with the created world. He owes his existence to God’s goodness and he can shape his life only in unity with other beings. Nevertheless, man holds a special position within the creation, for he is created to God’s image. God entrusted the care of the entire creation to man. In this way man is called to become the steward of the creation. God’s order that man should subdue the earth and dominate over it (Gen 1,28), does not give him the absolute power over nature, but it makes him responsible for the earth. The tension between transforming and preserving the integrity of the entire creation is constantly present in man’s mission.(Gen 2,15). If the biblical text is understood correctly, then there is no reason for human hegemony over the rest of the creation. In fact, God’s guideline to subject the earth is actually an ethical imperative for man to assume the responsibility for the earth. The theory of creation helps us to define the source, purpose and aim of human life. A complete image of the relationship among man, creation and God is given. It is important that man discovers his responsible role within the creation and becomes aware of his dependence on natural environment as well as on the superior mission being received by God.
Ključne riječi
ecological ethics; the Bible; creation; responsibility; nature; man’s mission; steward of creation.
Hrčak ID:
220827
URI
Datum izdavanja:
10.8.2008.
Posjeta: 1.275 *