Abstract
The purpose of this essay is to contextualize the biological discipline of conservation biology within the Seventh-day Adventist Biblical worldview. It does so by evaluating, from a Biblical perspective, the four “normative postulates” of the discipline that were advanced by one of the fathers of modern conservation biology, Michael E. Soulé. Soulé’s normative postulates were that 1) Diversity of organisms is good, 2) Ecological complexity is good, 3) Evolution is good, and 4) Biotic diversity has intrinsic value. I will argue that the Bible affirms Soulé’s first two postulates because the account of creation in Genesis affirms that God created and values biodiversity. Biblical support for the idea that evolution is good is more complex. Modern creationists don’t reject evolutionary processes entirely. To the extent that limited evolutionary processes can generate or protect biodiversity in a way that God intended, they can be good. However, to the extent that such processes degrade or destroy God’s original creation, they are not good. Contrary to the fourth postulate, I suggest that biotic diversity does not have intrinsic value; rather, biotic diversity derives its value from the worth placed on it by the creator God. Despite some differences, both worldviews affirm the moral imperative to take action to preserve biodiversity. Both worldviews also acknowledge the realities of the current biodiversity crisis. I give examples where action to preserve biodiversity overlaps with other Biblical imperatives, such as care for the poor, the principle of contentment, and physical health. The essay ends by reflecting on how God’s remnant church should relate to conservation biology in light of the nearness of the second advent. I suggest that the consequences of the biodiversity crisis could relate to the eschatological “time of trouble.” I also argue that the idea that God will destroy the Earth at the end of time should not prevent us from acting to preserve biodiversity right now. Instead, I suggest that environmental stewardship is part of the prophetic message of the first angel in Revelation 14 that God’s end-time church should proclaim. However, I also acknowledge that the biodiversity crisis, as part of the effects of sin, will not be completely solved until after the second advent, when God restores all of creation to what He originally intended.
Recommended Citation
Corbit, Aaron G. PhD
(2025)
"The Biblical Foundations of Conservation Biology,"
The Journal of Biblical Foundations of Faith and Learning: Vol. 4:
Iss.
1, Article 13.
Available at:
https://knowledge.e.southern.edu/jbffl/vol4/iss1/13