The Place of Human Animals in the World

Sam Candler at the Daily Episcopalian observes something he say has long been recognized in First Nation lore: human beings are outsiders on this earth. Among all animals, we are the only beings who are not needed by another species (except for our domesticated animals).  We surely have the power to make the world worse for animals and we regularly do. In terms of our place in the environment, Candler says, "If we are not being the actual food for some of our earthly neighbors, maybe we are meant to provide something like true stewardship. Maybe Genesis 1:26-28 really means that we are to provide, not dominion over the earth in a rowdy, tyrannical, irresponsible way, but, rather, true stewardship and tender care of the earth. Maybe the earth itself really needs our husbandry in a conserving way, not in a consuming, self-rewarding way. Eugene Peterson, in The Message (2002), translates Genesis 1:28 as 'Be responsible for fish in the sea and birds in the air, for every living thing that moves on the face of Earth.'"

If that is our purpose, we have a lot of changes to make.

Comments

[Bob H]

Thanks a million for this, Steve. I think it's exactly right. It's difficult for me to understand how anyone can read the first chapters of Genesis and not come away feeling a deep sense of responsibility to the earth and all flora and fauna thereon. We are meant to be grounds-keepers and caretakers.

Incidentally, the writings of Fr. Andrew Linzey, over at Oxford, are just splendid on this -- at least on the fauna part of the picture. If I can find the time one day, I'll try to write more on the flora side as well.

Thanks again,
Bob