When it comes to environmental issues, Christians often feel caught between denial and despair. But what if Genesis offers a different perspective altogether? In this service, Matt Edmundson explores God's original design for humanity's relationship with creation. Moving beyond both exploitation and nature worship, Genesis reveals how we're called to be guardians rather than owners. Discover what the Hebrew word for "dominion" really means, why God started Adam with just a garden, and how caring for creation isn't just about following trends - it's about living out our basic human calling as stewards of God's good earth.

##Time Stamps

00:00 Welcome & Introduction with Dan & Beth
01:44 Talk: Did God Design Us To Be Environmental Guardians? With Matt Edmundson
07:42 What Genesis Actually Says About Creation & Our Role
14:57 'Greenwashing' & Fair Trade
18:24 Why God Started Adam With Just a Garden
19:48 Finding Balance Between Development vs Preservation
28:06 Conversation Street: Practical Ways to Care for Creation

Can Ancient Wisdom Help Us Save the Planet?

When it comes to environmental issues, it often feels like we're caught between denial and despair. But what if there's another way? This week at Crowd, Matt Edmundson explores how Genesis offers a radical perspective on caring for our world - one that's neither about exploiting creation nor worshipping it.

Beyond the Extremes

Right from the start, Matt made it clear this this wasn't going to be another polarising debate about climate change. Instead, he took us back to Genesis to uncover God's original design for how humans should relate to the natural world.

The opening chapters of Genesis present a view that challenges both extremes of the environmental debate. The earth isn't divine (something to worship), nor is it worthless (something to exploit). Instead, it's God's good creation, entrusted to our care.

“God intentionally created the earth and said it was good, and that challenged their thinking, and I’m hoping it will challenge ours too.”

-- Matt Edmundson

Rethinking Dominion

One insight came from looking at the Hebrew word for "dominion". Rather than meaning domination or exploitation, it's more like the authority of a shepherd caring for sheep - protection with responsibility.

This helps us to understand how to approach environmental issues. We're not just jumping on the latest eco-bandwagon; we're fulfilling our most basic human calling as stewards of God's creation.

Starting with Your Garden

Feeling overwhelmed by global environmental challenges? Matt reminded us how God started Adam with a garden - a specific, manageable space. While we might not be able to solve global warming single-handedly, we can each tend to our own "garden" - whether that's our home, workplace, or community.

“Do what you can with what you have within your sphere of influence.”

-- Viewer Comment

From Theory to Practice

During Conversation Street, the discussion turned practical. From choosing to walk instead of drive when possible to teaching our children about stewardship, the focus was on doing what we can with what we have within our sphere of influence.

The chat revealed that caring for creation isn't just about recycling or avoiding plastic (though those things matter). It's about recognising that everything - from supply chains to shopping choices - has an impact on both planet and people.