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Fulfilling and Subduing
Cody Young L25227410
ENVR 350: Environmental Science and Policy (D03)
Professor Jody Stelly
August 12th, 2024
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The biblical command to "be fruitful and multiply," while more commonly interpreted as
a command from the Lord to populate the earth, does not conflict with environmental
stewardship principles when understood within the parameters of responsible resource
supervision, sustainable living practices, and the ethical living to ensure the well-being of the
earth and future generations.
The command “be fruitful and multiply” from Genesis can be interpreted as more than
just a command to produce offspring; it can also be seen as a command care responsibly for
God’s creation. This means utilizing Earth's resources in a sustainable manner to ensure they are
available for future generations. Furthermore, sustainable living practices are an essential means
by which our biblical command in a modern context can be used. This includes renewable
energy, reducing carbon emissions, conservation of water, and protecting biodiversity in our
ecosystems. Additionally, ethical living prohibits wrongful use of resources, promotes proper
disposal of waste, and allows the well-being of the earth to thrive. Overall, our actions and our
use of this planet have long-term consequences and we must have policies that promote good
stewardship of God’s creation without infringing on His first command to Us.
The concept of overpopulation in relation to the command “be fruitful and multiply” is
the idea that Earth's human population will soon reach a level that exceeds the planet's ability to
sustain itself. Brown (2021) states, “Overpopulation is an increasingly concerning and
contemporary issue in the modern world. Science has clearly identified that our current way of
life cannot be sustained for much longer due to the incompatible duality between finite resources
and an infinitely expanding population” (p. 1). This means there are concerns about our resource
availability, the environmental impact we have, and economic challenges that arise from
overpopulation. Addressing these issues involves considering sustainable living practices without
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compromising our biblical command from God. However, Brown (2021) continues to press the
issue of overpopulation by recollecting a severe warning drafted by 1700 scientists in 1992 when
the population was only 5.4 billion, warning humanity of the consequences should this issue be
left unchecked.
In the same manner, Cafaro (2022) emphasizes the decline in Earth’s biodiversity due to
overpopulation stating, “People are displacing wild nature so thoroughly that they are
extinguishing numerous species” (para. 3). Biodiversity is the variety and specific array of
species within an ecosystem that allow it to flourish. Different variations of species like plants,
animals, and microorganisms all contribute to the overall biodiversity of an ecosystem. While it
is true that strain on an ecosystem or removal of key species can lead to the decline of an
ecosystem, Cafaro (2022) suggests that just as overpopulation has done damage to the
ecosystem, population reduction can cause repair. This suggestion, however, contrasts our
biblical command. While biodiversity is important, it is no reason to take extreme measures to
reduce our population. Furthermore, any extreme action taken to reduce populations with fertility
control would be a violation of reproductive rights and justice. Moreover, there would be no
guarantee that this would solve the issues we face today.
Rieder and Zimmerman (2022) reaffirm the stance on reproductive justice and state,
“Substantial greenhouse gas reductions will not be made by reducing the fertility of individuals
who contribute little to the problem; they will only be made by changing individual consumption
patterns in wealthy countries” (para. 2). They continue to address the issue by pointing out that
overpopulation is not just a matter of numbers, it is a matter of how those numbers are using
resources unsustainably.
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In terms of these numbers regarding our population, there are projections that our
population is set to pass 10 billion by the end of this century (Jain et al., 2023). However, if we
can control our resource management, then our command to “be fruitful and multiply” will not
compromise the environment or our future generations. Moreover, it is important to understand
that sustainable development and proper distribution of resources are key to ensuring that our
population size does not outpace the planet’s capacity to support life. Therefore, addressing
consumption patterns and promoting good stewardship of our resources are primary steps
towards achieving a balance between prosperity and sustainability.
With regards to sustainability, Earth’s resources are contingent on several factors like
geological activity, naturally occurring phenomenon, and human influence. When discussing
natural resources, it would be things like water, oil, minerals, and land. Many natural resources
are renewable over time through natural processes. For example, forests can regrow, water can
be replenished through the hydrological cycle and volcanic activity, and minerals can form over
time through geological processes. All these phenomena are essential for human survival and
growth and have been in constant state of renewal by God’s hand. However, there are several
ways we as stewards of the earth can maintain our Lord’s creation and amplify its beauty.
Lidicker (2020) suggests six methods by which we can implement policies that combat wasteful
use of these resources and promote sustainable living practices.
The first method is understanding the scientific research data. Scientists bear the
responsibility of releasing their findings to the public. However, they also bear the responsibility
of providing truthful, accurate, and easily understandable data for people to implement change.
Therefore, by understanding usable data, change can be implemented at the lowest level and
provide the means necessary to combat the effects of overpopulation (Lidicker, 2020).
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The second method is remaining optimistic where the evidence suggests the most
promising change (Lidicker, 2020). There are plenty of governmental programs at work that
simply do not bear any fruit. Many programs have excellent intent and a good cause. However,
funding needs to be pulled from programs that offer little improvement and placed towards
others with more promising outcomes (Lidicker, 2020). For instance, extensive highway
expansion projects could be reduced and instead we can prioritize investments in public
transportation infrastructure. Another example would be to reduce subsidies and tax breaks that
support the production and use of single-use plastics. Instead, we should be investing in the
development of alternatives and promote recycling with proper waste management.
Moving forward, the third method is maintaining opening communication with broader
areas. While it is great to advocate and be involved in our local communities, when it comes to
sustainable practices there should be a sense of further outreach on a national and global scale to
create a sense of uniformity for everyone to be on the same page (Lidicker, 2020). Doing so will
create a cohesive mindset, one that will have a greater impact long-term. The remaining methods
from Lidicker (2020) range from cooperative social involvement to the encouragement of
governmental change on a larger scale to implement the change needed. All these methods
showcase that there are ways to be good stewards of the earth while also being able to “be
fruitful and multiply”.
There are those that still argue that overpopulation leads to increased consumption and
waste, causing harm to the ecosystems and biodiversity which is crucial for human survival.
Those like Brown (2021) and Cafaro (2022) assert that there is massive strain on economic
infrastructure and healthcare. They claim that, if left unchecked, it could lead to societal collapse.
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Additionally, they caution that our planet will be ruined beyond repair by the increase of human
proliferation and advocate for heavy measures and policies placed on families to limit growth
and how many children are born to families.
On the other hand, there are those like Scott (2022) who are strongly against extreme
population control measures, citing advancements in agriculture, technology, and human
ingenuity as factors that have historically reduced such concerns from happening. Scott (2022)
argues that there should be an emphasis on ensuring access to proper family planning resources
and sustainable development rather than restrictive population policies. “Ultimately, apocalyptic
population growth fears are overblown, and as such, draconian population control regulations are
unnecessary. We have witnessed progress on an international scale in this area, perhaps most
notably with China revoking its infamous, longstanding one-child policy just seven years ago”
(Scott, 2022, para. 13).
Overall, population control measures are not the way we should advance our stewardship
over the earth and our command to “be fruitful and multiply”. Instead, we should focus on
education, resource distribution, and technological advancements. These provide a more
effective path forward in aligning with environmental stewardship and our future on Earth.
Looking toward the biblical worldview, Christians understand that caring for the earth is
our command by the Lord (Genesis 1:28, NASB). Additionally, we know that Jesus said, “If you
love Me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15, NASB). Therefore, stewardship is
having dominion over God’s creation by His divine decree. He has the authority to place
humanity in this role because the earth belongs solely to the Lord (Psalm 24:1, NASB).
Furthermore, humans are made in the image of God, and we can present that image when we
resourcefully maintain, sustain, and prolong His creation. This idea is affirmed in the Bible by
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the Greek word oikonomia, which is the modern-day equivalent of "economics" and
"stewardship” (Sproul, 2019). Ultimately, the type of stewardship commanded by the Lord is
portrayed as a call to exercise authority over the earth and align with God's intentions for His
creation.
When looking elsewhere in the Bible, we see God commanding Israel as to how they
were to care for the land He was going to give to them by letting the land rest every seventh year
(Exodus 3:17, NASB). This rest ensured the land would remain viable to the Israelites and not be
consumed of its resources. He did not, however, command then to stop producing future
generations within these instructions.
Throughout the Bible, God has not once commanded humanity from ceasing to
multiplying on the earth. His commands have strictly been on how to care for His creation,
worship Him, and give the glory that He is due. Therefore, the Lord is in control of Earth’s
population. This is affirmed in 1 Samuel 2:5-6 when Hannah praises the Lord in her doxology
after she is blessed with a son, “Those who were full hire themselves out for bread, but those
who were hungry cease to hunger. Even the barren gives birth to seven, but she who has many
children languishes. The Lord kills and makes alive; He brings down to Sheol and raises up” (1
Samuel 2:5-6, NASB).
To argue further against those like Brown (2021) and Cafaro (2022) who say we will run
out of resources due to overpopulation, Jeremiah says, “It is He who made the earth by His
power, who established the world by His wisdom; And by His understanding He has stretched
out the heavens. When He utters His voice, there is a tumult of waters in the heavens, And He
causes the clouds to ascend from the end of the earth; He makes lightning for the rain and brings
out the wind from His storehouses” (Jeremiah 10:12-13, NASB). Here we are given a vivid
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image of the Lord’s power, knowledge, and divine command over the earth and its resources. At
the very least, we can trust in the sovereignty and power held by the Lord Himself over His
creation, to replenish it as needed.
Finally, there is the well-known response from the Lord given to Job, “Who has split
open a channel for the flood, and a way for the thunderbolt, to bring rain on a land without
people, on a desert without a person in it, to satisfy the waste and desolate land, and to make the
seeds of grass to sprout? Does the rain have a father? Or who has fathered the drops of dew?
From whose womb has come the ice? And the frost of heaven, who has given it birth? Water
becomes hard like stone, And the surface of the deep is imprisoned” (Job 38: 25-29, NASB).
Here we have one of the greatest displays and insight into the vast knowledge and power held by
the Lord. We are shown that He alone holds the ability to provide the resources needed by the
earth, even where there are no inhabitants. Ultimately, nothing we say or do can take this
authority away from Him. Therefore, we have no other alternative than to trust in Him to provide
for His creation while we do what He has commanded and continue to rule over the earth.
Looking to the future, the environmental movement is riddled with the idea of trying to
make the planet last forever. Yet, that is not what the Lord has planned because the planet we
live on is not eternal. Of course, there is a possibility it could last several thousand more years
like it has previously, but ultimately the Lord is going to destroy it. If there is great concern with
humanity causing the planet ruin now, it is no comparison to what Jesus Christ will do to it in
His second coming. The book of Revelation is filled with judgment after judgment on this earth
and its inhabitants that will tear this world apart. Peter says God is going to undo planet in
fervent heat so that the whole universe goes out of existence in an instant (2 Peter 2:3, NASB).
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As Christians, we do not have to worry about the earth long-term because God will create
a new heaven and Earth for us, His elect, to inhabit. This does not give us permission to do
whatever we want for now, but it does mean that no matter what actions we take, God’s plan will
still come to fruition. Furthermore, understanding God’s sovereign will and power through His
word is not only important, but also the only means by which we have the assurance that our
command to “be fruitful and multiply” will not cause irreversible damage to His planet.
Moreover, populating the earth should not change how we are commanded to be stewards of
creation nor does it conflict with the biblical principles outlined in God’s word.
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References
Brown, J. (2021). Controlling overpopulation - is there a solution? A human rights analysis.
Fields: Journal of Huddersfield Student Research, 7(1). https://doi.org/10.5920/fields.797
Cafaro, P., Hansson, P., & Götmark, F. (2022). Overpopulation is a major cause of biodiversity
loss and smaller human populations are necessary to preserve what is left. Biological
Conservation, 272, 109646. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2022.109646
Jain, N., Islam Kourampi, Tungki Pratama Umar, Zahra Rose Almansoor, Anand, A., Ebad, M.,
Jain, S., & Reinis, A. (2023). Global population surpasses eight billion: Are we ready for
the next billion? AIMS Public Health, 10(4), 849–866.
https://doi.org/10.3934/publichealth.2023056
New American Standard Bible. (1995). Lockman Foundation.
Rieder T., Zimmerman L. (2022). Is Population Control a Climate Change Solution? | Hopkins
Bloomberg Public Health Magazine. (n.d.). Magazine.publichealth.jhu.edu.
https://magazine.publichealth.jhu.edu/2022/population-control-climate-change-solution
Scott, S. (2022, June 20).NPublic Health and Overpopulation: The United Nations Takes Action.
Harvard International Review. https://hir.harvard.edu/public-health-and-overpopulation/
Sproul, R. C. (2019, June 28). What Is Biblical Stewardship? Ligonier Ministries.
https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/what-biblical-stewardship
