BIBLICAL FOUNDATIONS FOR GOD’S DESIGN

Talking Points

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From the 2026 Land & Liberty Summit, Pastor Stephen Castleberry and Margaret Byfield discuss how modern culture leads people to worship the creation instead of stewarding the creation in alignment with His design.

$8.2 Billion in Private Property Losses for 4000 linear miles of 765-kv lines

Nature can be an inspiring place **for** worship, but the Bible warns that is should never become the object **of** worship.

Driven by a fear that we are in a climate and ecological crisis, people are being told they need to live sustainably, rely only on renewable resources, give up animal products, restore natural areas, and place large ecosystems under the control of governments and conservation groups.

But there is no biblical foundation for these practices. Genesis spells out the seven responsibilities we have over creation, and Romans reveals what happens when we get this relationship wrong.

The secular world has been working to rewire mankind’s thinking away from God’s design and toward protection of the environment—with frightening success. Christians need to have a solid biblical foundation to discern the practices that lead to creation idolatry. Our relationship with creation should be as God commands.

It all begins with this core truth:

“…the Earth belongs to the Lord.”

Exodus 9:29

We are commanded to serve God and no other, including creation itself. God knew we could be easily disillusioned into worshiping creation because it physically provides our needs. Our instinct is to protect the Earth. But He has called us to live by faith.

Can we trust that God is in full command of the Earth and climate as He has clearly stated in Scripture? Or do we buy into the world’s philosophy that man must “save the Earth”? How we respond to this question may be one of the greatest tests of faith our generation faces.

Are we to be environmentalists, conservationists, or stewards of God’s creation—and what are the differences between these positions? Do you know with certainty whom you serve—the Creator or the creation?

God calls us to be stewards of His creation, and as we know Him to be a good, loving, and faithful God, He has also shown us how we are to do this in perfect alignment with His plan.

Clear away all you think you know about the environment, and read from Scripture what God tells us about His creation. He reveals how we are to discern the times and live in perfect alignment with Him.