What is the Creation Mandate?
While this phrase is commonly used in Christianity, many forget what God actually mandated believers to do.
In Genesis 1:28, God said:
“…have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.”
In this verse, God is speaking to the newly created humans, giving them a clear and singular task: exercise dominion.
Unfortunately, many people—both within and outside the Church—have misunderstood what this means. Some interpret the “dominion” of the Creation Mandate as permission to mistreat the planet and its creatures.
But this interpretation couldn’t be further from the truth. Those who view God as autocratic or harsh often take the word dominion to mean “unlimited power over.” However, Scripture—our final authority for faith and practice—shows that God has consistently expressed His displeasure toward the abuse of animals and the environment.
In Proverbs 12:10, God makes His stance clear:
“A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.”
This verse reveals that righteousness is not just about how we treat people, but also how we treat the animals under our care. Compassion and responsibility are marks of godly character.
God also demonstrated His care for the environment by instituting a sabbatical year for the land. Every seventh year, the Israelites were commanded to let their fields rest, allowing the soil to recover from nutrient depletion (Leviticus 25:4). This shows God’s intention for the land to be treated with care and allowed time to recover.
Even more profoundly, in Psalm 50:10–11, God declares:
“For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine.”
This passage reminds us that all animals belong to God. As stewards of His creation, we are entrusted with their care, not for our exploitation, but for His glory. When we mistreat animals or damage the environment, we are mishandling what belongs to the Creator Himself.
Even livestock were included in God’s rhythm of rest. As part of the Ten Commandments, God declared a Sabbath not only for people, but also for animals:
“But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates.” — Exodus 20:10
This inclusion of animals in the Sabbath commandment is striking. It shows that God’s justice and mercy extend to all living things, not just humans.
Through these verses, God clearly demonstrates His concern for the well-being of animals and the environment. Rather than abusing creation without restraint, Christians are called to use the gifts God has given them responsibly and thoughtfully.
To exercise dominion is not to dominate, but to reflect the heart of the Creator—a God who knows every bird of the mountains and calls every creature His own. It is a call to stewardship, not selfishness; to compassion, not consumption.
When we care for creation, we bear witness to the goodness of God. We show the world that the One who made the earth is not distant or indifferent, but deeply invested in its flourishing. Every act of kindness toward an animal, every effort to preserve the land, becomes a quiet echo of Eden—a reminder of what was, and a glimpse of what will be restored.
Let us then take up the Creation Mandate with open hands—ready to serve, to protect, and to honor the world God so lovingly made. In doing so, we not only fulfill His command, but we also become living testimonies of His grace, wisdom, and love—just as we are called to do as followers of Christ.