I've been a nature lover ever since my years as a Boy Scout when I spent a great deal of time in the woods. Also, my wife and I have had a pretty "earth-friendly" and "green" lifestyle for most of our lives. But we are careful not to turn our environmentally friendly behavior into people unfriendly attitudes.

Most people probably agree that we should be concerned about the conservation of our resources, pollution and the global environment. But disagreements over the causes, consequences and solutions for those problems often become intense. So it comes as no surprise that today environmental controversies are increasing.

One of those controversies is over the Bible's influence on the environment. Some environmentalists are attaching part of the blame for the earth's environmental problems on both the teachings of the Bible and on those who believe its teachings.

The first chapter of Romans describes the human tendency to adopt such beliefs once the Creator's teachings are rejected, explaining: "They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator" (Romans 1:25, NIV). Human nature doesn't change!

Bible rejecting environmentalists generally have one thing in common, an unshakeable belief in evolution. Naturally then their belief that the Bible fails to show any real concern for non-human life is consistent with their worldview. But those who sincerely believe that accusation have not read "the Book," at least not carefully!

The Bible declares emphatically that all things were made by God. Therefore He is the owner with supreme authority (Psalm 24:1). As the Creator He has concern for His creation (see Psalm 104).

It's true that we humans are God's greatest concern (Luke 12:7). We are uniquely created "in the image of God"—having both intellect and spiritual potential beyond that of even the most intelligent animals (Genesis 1:26-27). God's desire and plan is to transform humankind—all willing to follow his ways—into the eternal "children of God" (Romans 8:16-21; Hebrews 2:11).

The Bible clearly shows that the earth was created for man's benefit—to be used constructively (not for abuse). God said, "fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion [supervision] over...every living thing" (Genesis 1:28). Today some critics of the Bible claim that this verse gives man license to greedily consume and wastefully plunder all of the earth's resources.

Not so!

"Subdue" carries the positive meaning of maintaining, controlling and managing—such as when we mow the grass, prune trees and pull weeds. We are supposed to treat the whole world as God's garden, to be His gardeners or stewards "to tend and keep it" (Genesis 2:15). God has instructed us to take care of our nest—for His honor and for our own sake. He is very environmentally motivated.

There are many earth-friendly teachings in the Bible. Not being wasteful is one (Proverbs 12:27). Not practicing cruelty to animals is another (Proverbs 12:10). Another is the law of land rest for rejuvenating the soil (Leviticus 25). Many more environmentally friendly scriptures could be added to these.

The best news in the Bible is about the future. When Jesus Christ returns to the earth He will become the Leader in bringing about the "restoration of all things"—including the environment (Acts 3:21). He will restore the very best conditions for life of earth!

God's Word gives a truly encouraging understanding of the past, present and future.