Key Points
- The kiwi bird’s comeback in New Zealand is a hopeful conservation story and a reminder of humanity’s responsibility to care for creation.
- Biblical dominion does not mean careless use or exploitation, but faithful stewardship of what God has made.
- Christians should care about endangered species because creation reflects God’s glory, wisdom, and sustaining power.
- Protecting vulnerable animals and habitats can be one way believers demonstrate love, responsibility, and reverence for the Creator.
- Creation care points forward to the hope that God will one day make all things new.
New Zealand’s iconic kiwi bird is making a comeback after predators and habitat loss brought the kiwi to the brink of extinction.
Why New Zealand’s Kiwi Bird Comeback Matters
The initiative to restore the Kiwi, New Zealand’s national bird, was conducted by the Capital Kiwi Project, which relocated the birds to predator-free areas. This also marks the first time that the bird will be returned to its home in the hills near the capital city of Wellington, after disappearing over a century ago, NBC reported.
“They are a part of who we are and our sense of belonging here,” Paul Ward, founder of the Capital Kiwi Project, told the Associated Press. “But they’ve been gone from these hills for well over a century, and we decided as Wellingtonians that wasn’t right.”
This is encouraging news because it serves as a wonderful reminder of stewarding creation as intended by God. For Christians, the kiwi’s comeback is more than a conservation success story; it is a reminder that dominion over creation means responsible care, not careless use. Going back to Genesis, the Lord created humanity in His image and likeness, followed by the authorization of having dominion over creation.
“Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. ' " And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth,” Genesis 1:26
What Does the Bible Mean by Dominion Over Creation?
Now, the word dominion is defined as “Control or the exercise of control; sovereignty.” This is significant because no other creature on earth has been authorized to have dominion except us human beings, created in the image and likeness of God. The psalmist David echoes the same sentiment in Psalm 8.
“You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas.” (Psalm 8:6-8 ESV)
Biblical Stewardship Means Protecting What God Has Made
Following creation, Adam was tasked with working the ground and naming all of the animals. Therefore, one way to protect the species on this earth, especially those at risk of extinction. This restoration initiative by Capital Kiwi Project is a significant step toward restoring this native bird to the island nation of New Zealand. Like all living creatures, us included, we are created by God, who has given us the gift of life. Moreover, since we are His image bearers, created to have dominion over the earth, our lives here are ones of stewardship. It is a life that seeks to glorify God in whatever He has assigned us to do.
Stewarding creation is one of them, since we hold dominion over it. There is a sense of responsibility and conviction in doing so; it is also in our best interest. Imagine, not stewarding creation? Then this world would be a mess. And because we imagine bearers of God, then stewarding reflects Him, for He created and sustains the universe. In reflecting God, we must demonstrate love and compassion to all of creation and its creatures. Sadly, not all have upheld this care for creation, as seen in pollution and animal abuse. Many creatures have lost their homes due to the expansion of human civilization. The boundary between society and the wild grows smaller and smaller. For some creatures, such as the kiwi bird, survival becomes more difficult because they are restricted to a particular land or region. Nevertheless, the call to stewardship of creation remains, and Christians are the first to understand it, since we read it in the Scriptures.
With the conversation effort in place, the kiwi will now be able to populate once more without hindrance. This is more than a rescue mission; it is the opportunity to provide a brand-new beginning for the iconic bird with a much more secure future. This likewise reinforces other conservation efforts of other species. Thus, stewarding creation includes demonstrating love and care for it. As I previously said, it is a reflection of God as He created and sustains the universe. As His image bearers, we are His stewards in protecting what He has given us.
Creation Care Points Back to the Glory of God
Although the earth itself is not our ultimate home, we know that it was created by God. As Psalm 19:1 states, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” So when we take care of it, we do it with the intention that this is indeed our Father’s world. Although creation itself can’t save, it is one big indicator that there is a Creator behind it. In the apostle Paul’s epistle to the Romans, he writes Romans 1:19–20, “For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. (ESV).
There is no excuse that God created this world, as well as every other world, for His glory. It all points back to Him. The same applies to our stewardship. It all points back to Him. Our lives were meant to point to Him. Not ourselves. That said, the glory of God is the primary motivator in the stewardship of creation.
Why Christians Are Accountable for How We Steward Creation
The Bible states that “each of us will have an account of himself to God” (Romans 14:12). How we live our lives will ultimately be taken into account before God as we are stewards. This also applies to how we care for creation, since God gave it to us. Therefore, let us be faithful in the matter, for it is not in vain. Moreover, as we care for creation now, we do it with the expectation that God will someday make all things new (Revelation 21:5). As beautiful as this world is, there is one that will be far greater, as it will be without sin, and it will be one where we will be with God forever. As the Scriptures say, “No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever. (Revelation 22:3–5).
This is the promise that we have in Christ, and it is something that creation itself longs for. And each day is a step closer to that glorious reality. I am definitely looking forward to it.
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.” - Romans 8:18-22
Frequently Asked Questions about Caring for God's Creation
- What is Christian stewardship of creation?
Christian stewardship of creation means caring responsibly for the world God made, including land, animals, natural resources, and vulnerable species. - What does dominion over creation mean in the Bible?
Biblical dominion does not mean exploitation. It means humans, as image bearers of God, are entrusted with the responsibility to cultivate, guard, and care for creation. - Why should Christians care about endangered species?
Christians should care because every creature belongs to God’s created world. Protecting vulnerable species can reflect gratitude, responsibility, and reverence for the Creator. - Is creation care the same as worshiping nature?
No. Christians do not worship creation. We care for creation because it belongs to God and points back to His glory, wisdom, and power. - How can Christians practice creation care?
Christians can practice creation care by reducing waste, supporting responsible conservation, caring for local habitats, protecting animals, and treating the earth as a gift from God.
For Further Reading
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Oliver Strewe
