Section I.8 - Creation

Resolution I.8

Creation

This Conference:

1. reaffirms the Biblical vision of Creation according to which:
   
   Creation is a web of inter-dependent relationships bound together in the Covenant which God, the Holy Trinity has established with the whole earth and every living being.
   1. the divine Spirit is sacramentally present in Creation, which is therefore to be treated with reverence, respect, and gratitude;
   2. human beings are both co-partners with the rest of Creation and living bridges between heaven and earth, with responsibility to make personal and corporate sacrifices for the common good of all Creation;
   3. the redemptive purpose of God in Jesus Christ extends to the whole of Creation.
2. recognises:
   1. that unless human beings take responsibility for caring for the earth, the consequences will be catastrophic because of: overpopulation
      unsustainable levels of consumption by the rich
      poor quality and shortage of water
      air pollution
      eroded and impoverished soil
      forest destruction
      plant and animal extinction;
   2. that the loss of natural habitats is a direct cause of genocide amongst millions of indigenous peoples and is causing the extinction of thousands of plant and animal species. Unbridled capitalism, selfishness and greed cannot continue to be allowed to pollute, exploit and destroy what remains of the earth's indigenous habitats;
   3. that the future of human beings and all life on earth hangs in balance as a consequence of the present unjust economic structures, the injustice existing between the rich and the poor, the continuing exploitation of the natural environment and the threat of nuclear self-destruction;
   4. that the servant-hood to God's creation is becoming the most important responsibility facing humankind and that we should work together with people of all faiths in the implementation of our responsibilities;
   5. that we as Christians have a God given mandate to care for, look after and protect God's creation.
3. prays in the Spirit of Jesus Christ:
   1. for widespread conversion and spiritual renewal in order that human beings will be restored to a relationship of harmony with the rest of Creation and that this relationship may be informed by the principles of justice and the integrity of every living being, so that self centred greed is overcome; and
   2. for the recovery of the Sabbath principle, as part of the redemption of time and the restoration of the divinely intended rhythms of life.