Ecology and the Church Fathers

Abstract

Lynn White blames Christians for the current raping of our environment He says that Christians believe that because theyare created in God’s image, they can play God over nature. Since God said “fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea.... ” Christians think they can exploit nature. In his article, White discusses the historical roots of our modern ecological crisis. He pays much attention to the world and the theology of the early Christians. It follows as a matter of course that White’s remarks are of concern to patristic scholars as well. We too should evaluate his remarks. In this present article the early theologians’ attitude towards creation will be studied. Their interpretation and use of Genesis 1:28 will also be scrutinized. This is an attempt to answer the question whether the early Christians did set the table for the exploitation of our earth in later centuries.