As environmental debates heat up—from Greta Thunberg-led student strikes to Apple’s slick “Mother Nature” ad campaigns—many believers are left wondering: Where do Christians stand in all of this?
Pastor Vlad Savchuk takes a bold, biblically grounded approach in his teaching, “Christians, Climate Change and the End Times: What You Need to Know.”
The Rise of a New Religion?
Environmentalism, for some, has moved beyond concern into the realm of worship.
“Mother Nature has become the functional religion of our culture,” Savchuk says. “There’s an absolute devotion to a cause. There’s sacrificing immediate gratification for the ultimate success of this cause. And there’s explaining all of life in the terms of saving the planet.”
He warns that a culture so committed to protecting the planet while ignoring the sanctity of human life is “not embracing a biblical worldview but a world worldview.”
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The Three Views on Climate Change
Savchuk lays out three dominant perspectives on climate change:
- Climate Deniers
“These are people who believe that people are too worried about climate change. Climate change is natural, and it’s not mainly caused by humans.” - Climate Alarmists
“These people believe that climate change is real, and it’s mainly caused by humans using too much oil and gas. And if we don’t change how we live, like right now… we will harm the earth.” - Climate Realists
“They believe that climate change is real and most likely comes from humans using oil and gas. They view the earth’s problem with climate change as more like having diabetes than having a suddenly deadly virus.”
Biblical Stewardship, Not Nature Worship
Savchuk emphasizes that Christians are to care for creation—not to idolize it.
“We are the stewards of the earth, but we are not worshippers of the earth,” he says. “Adam was a gardener, caring for God’s creation.”
He also notes the danger in replacing God with nature: “What I see happening in our culture… is that Mother Nature has really replaced Father God.”
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The Three Views on the Environment
Drawing from theologian Scott Rae’s work, Savchuk outlines three theological frameworks:
- Biocentric View
“This view sees that the environment should be protected because it has an intrinsic value.” - Anthropocentric View
“That’s the view that argues the environment has no inherent value whatsoever. The only value… is really coming from its usefulness for humans.” - Theocentric View
“Our Christian view on the environment is theocentric, meaning [the] environment, this world, has value because it’s God’s creation. It is placed under human dominion and our responsibility and stewardship to be used responsibly for human benefit.”
Human Life Over Animal Rights
Savchuk doesn’t shy away from confronting the cultural shift that elevates animals over people.
“You and I were made in the image and likeness of God,” he says. “Any view that views animals and plants above humans or on the same level of humans is not biblical.”
While he emphasizes treating animals with dignity, he reminds believers that “animals do not have a fundamental right to life like humans do.”
End Times Are No Excuse for Earth Abuse
Even with an end-times worldview, Savchuk insists Christians can’t throw environmental care out the window.
“The future resurrection of your body does not justify today’s abuse of your body,” he says. “Just because bad things will happen to the earth before God makes it new, it does not give us an excuse to not care for our earth.”
Judgment and Hope
Savchuk concludes with a sobering reminder and a hopeful promise.
“You will give an account to God for what you do with this earth,” he says, citing Revelation 11:18. But he also declares, “Our God will remake all that humans and devils have wickedly harmed, damaged and destroyed.”
As our culture becomes increasingly confused about the line between Creator and creation, Christians must ensure not to worship the earth—but instead steward it for God’s glory.
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James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.
