September 2018


Is it only we humans that have rights before God? The rights of humans are well established in scripture. These rights are well known in modern society thanks to the work of many Christians over centuries. Are we the only living things with rights? What does the Bible teach about fundamental rights for non-humans?

The Bible indeed promotes the rights of all living things in creation. Humans are presented as having the highest order of rights as image-bearers of God. The rest of creation is also protected by natural God-given rights. Creation was not made solely for our own use and pleasure. Creation is not all about us. It also exists for the glory of God (Ps 66:4).

Here I would like to present 3 basic rights that are held by all living creation. I encourage you to study and pray about this topic, so you may gain an understanding beyond what is presented here for this is a broad and complex topic. Here are three basic rights of nature: 1) The right to exist 2) The right to minimal suffering 3) The right to rest.

These rights do extend to all of nature. They are not the only rights afforded to nature in scripture but are the most basic and obvious. Scriptural evidence throughout the Bible presents the idea that God cares for nature and he cares how we treat it. God prioritizes humans above nature in the work of salvation. While secondary to humanity, nature is not cast away as worthless. For the salvation God is working is not just that of humankind but of all of creation! “that the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of decay into the liberty of the glory of the children of God.” Romans 8:21 (WEB)

The scriptural support for the three most primary rights of nature are many. Only a few examples are needed to demonstrate them. 1) The right to exist. Genesis 1 repeatedly states that each part of creation is good or pleasing to God. Throughout the Old Testament humans are portrayed as stewards or caretakers of creation, yet not owners. God is the owner and is the only one who can take away the right to exist (Ps 50:10). God has given us provision since the fall to kill and use parts of his creation for our needs. He has not however given us the authority to cause unreserved extinction for our own comfort and wealth. Each ‘kind’ and even each specific plant and animal has the God-given right to exist for a time.

2) The right to minimal suffering. This right includes protection from unnecessary and prolonged suffering. the story of Balaam and his cruelty to his donkey in Numbers 22 is an example of God’s concern over the mistreatment of animals. Proverbs 12:10 says a righteous man cares for his animals. Finally, the methods of animal sacrifice laid out in the Old Testament are quite humane, especially compared to other sacrificial practices of surrounding pagans. Some sources have proposed that Israelite methods of slaughter were the most humane possible at the time. The extrabiblical law for kosher slaughter that developed in ancient Israelite culture is known as Shechita and places the utmost emphasis on painless death. Sin brought suffering to all of creation, but followers of Christ should seek to minimize that suffering wherever it is present.

3) The right to rest The fourth Commandment in Exodus 20 contains a clause that pertains to animal rest each Sabbath. The sabbatical year which was to occur every seven years provided rest for the land from the strain of farming which aided it in producing better crops the following season. The neglect to rest the land by the Israelites was cited as the reason for the length of the 70-year exile in Babylon (Leviticus 26:34-35). Apparently, God took the command to rest the land seriously!

The rights of nature should be prominent in our theological worldview. We are to champion justice for all of God’s creation. The Seventh-day Adventist Church has done a fantastic job at working for justice in the realm of religious freedom. We could do better in the spheres of social justice and environmental justice. The cause of creation care should be ever-present in our efforts to further the cause of the Gospel.

It would not be prudent to re-task church resources and ministries solely to the purpose of environmentalism. The great commission is to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ, not the gospel of environmentalism. However, the principles of biblical environmental stewardship should always be present and influential in our Christian efforts. We must balance the use of resources with the preservation of them. We must seek feasible sustainability where possible. Most importantly, we must garner a proper Christ-like respect for nature in those we disciple. A proper understanding of biblical environmental stewardship will aid us in living out our command of “teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you;” Matt. 28:20a.

So how does it look to champion the rights of nature? Moderation is key to preserving the rights of nature. We will consume natural resources and use nature. There is nothing wrong with that because God created it for that purpose. But it is not ok to use it excessively and waste large amounts of what God has given. God is not pleased when we waste our talents or our money, and neither is he pleased when we waste the resources of creation he has given. We must strive for moderation in every area of our lives.

Written by David F. Garner




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