Christian Environmental Stewardship: A Toulmin Model Analysis
This paper applies the six-step Toulmin model of argumentation to examine the moral and theological obligation Christians bear toward environmental stewardship. Beginning with the claim that Christians should act as protectors of the natural world, the paper works through each stage of the model — claim, grounds, warrant, backing, rebuttal, and qualification — drawing on biblical passages such as Genesis 2:15 and 1 Timothy 6:7 to support and nuance the argument. The paper concludes that while Christian faith does call for care of the Earth, this stewardship must be tempered by the recognition that earthly existence is finite and that extremism in any direction — including idol-like reverence of the planet — is contrary to Christian teaching.
- Introduction: Thesis: Christians have a moral duty to steward the environment
- Claim and Grounds: Christians should protect creation; God created Earth
- Warrant: The Planet as Something to Be Protected: Environmental respect is reasonable for all people, especially Christians
- Backing: Biblical Support for Environmental Care: Scripture in Genesis, Deuteronomy, and the Sabbath support stewardship
- Rebuttal and Reservation: Earth-worship as false idol; stewardship has limits
- Qualification and Conclusion: Balance required; earthly life is temporary and finite
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What makes this paper effective
- The paper uses a well-defined academic framework — the Toulmin model — as an explicit organizing structure, walking through each component in sequence rather than presenting a loose argumentative essay.
- The argument is carefully balanced: it affirms a Christian duty toward environmental stewardship while simultaneously cautioning against taking that duty to extremes, which gives the paper theological nuance.
- Biblical citations (Genesis 2:15, Deuteronomy 22:6, Matthew 12:30, 1 Timothy 6:7) are used as concrete evidence rather than vague appeals to religion, which strengthens the backing stage of the argument.
Key academic technique demonstrated
The paper demonstrates structured argumentative writing using the Toulmin model, a framework widely used in rhetoric and informal logic. By explicitly labeling and working through each stage — claim, grounds, warrant, backing, rebuttal, and qualification — the student shows how to build and test an argument systematically rather than relying on assertion alone.
Structure breakdown
The paper opens with an introduction that states the thesis, then proceeds through the six Toulmin stages in order, each functioning as a distinct section. The rebuttal section introduces a counterargument involving Wiccan Earth-reverence as a cautionary contrast. The qualification section adds theological moderation, and a brief conclusion synthesizes the overall lesson about balance and personal responsibility.
Introduction
Christians carry moral and other imperatives when it comes to the environment. Christians believe that God created all of the heavens and the earth, and this belief raises a valid question: what obligations does that place on Christians regarding care for the natural world? That question is answered here using the Toulmin model of argumentation, drawing on a range of references that represent differing viewpoints and perspectives on the issue. While the general premise of Christians protecting the environment can be taken too far or to unreasonable lengths, it is clear that Christians have a moral imperative to be stewards of the environment.
The Toulmin model will be addressed step by step, with each component answered in turn. In order, there are six facets: a claim, grounds for the claim, a warrant, backing, rebuttal/reservation, and qualification. The claim is that Christians should be protectors and stewards of the environment rather than be indifferent or even intentionally abusive toward it, at least to the extent that they can personally control what is around them (Merritt, 2015). The level of dedication should be reasonable, yet not excessive. Of course, the definition of "reasonable" will tend to mean different things to different people (DeWitt, 2015). Even so, few would argue that it is acceptable for a self-professed Christian to treat the planet as a perpetual dumpster — a resource to be used and abused rather than treasured and protected.
Claim and Grounds
As noted in the introduction, the grounds for this argument rest on the fact that God created the planets and the Earth, as explained in the Bible (Merritt, 2015). However, one could take that argument further. Even without focusing on who created the Earth or how it was created, it is unseemly and improper for anyone to simply discard a used bottle when they are done with it. People who do this contribute to areas appearing unkempt and disrespected.
For example, when a person visits a park, the general expectation — shared by many people, not just Christians — is that the park should be at least as clean when they leave as when they arrived. Any litter, trash, or mess created during the visit should be cleaned up and dealt with. When people depart, it should not be obvious that anyone was just there. Further, it should be accepted by Christians and non-Christians alike that if one creates a mess, one should clean it up. There are also less obvious examples, such as cigarette butts flung from car windows (setting aside the fire hazard they create), or failing to clear one's own table at a self-service restaurant. In short, the Christian mindset often is — and should be — to remain mindful of the messes made and the impact on the environment, rather than being ambivalent or neglectful.
Some Christians go beyond personal accountability and clean up the messes of others, including litter on the side of the road or a stray cup blowing in the wind. Some litter is unintentional, but many people — Christians and non-Christians alike — do not practice environmental stewardship (Borba, 2015).
Warrant: The Planet as Something to Be Protected
The warrant — the underlying principle of the Toulmin model — is that the planet is something that should be protected, revered, and maintained rather than treated carelessly. When viewed from a specifically Christian perspective, there is the concept that human beings represent only a brief moment in the planet's long history. Christians do believe that there will be a Second Coming and a complete transformation of existence as we know it. However, Christians also acknowledge that no one knows when that day will come, as God himself has stated that it will not be foreknown. As such, Christians should recognize that the planet persisted for millions and billions of years before they existed and will persist, at least for a time, after they are gone (Old Earth, 2015).
Backing: Biblical Support for Environmental Care
The preceding points provide much of the backing and support for the concept that Christians should revere and care for the planet and encourage others to do the same. The account of God creating the Earth appears in the very first chapters of Genesis. References in the Bible to caring for the environment come early and often and are impossible to miss. For example, Genesis 2:15 states: "The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work and keep it" (Open Bible, 2015).
When it comes to animals, God granted humans dominion over them but placed limits on that authority. One example is Deuteronomy 22:6, which states that taking a mother bird while she is tending her eggs is wrong and immoral (Open Bible, 2015). Furthermore, God himself placed the Earth on a high pedestal. One of the stated reasons for the Sabbath — the day of rest — is to allow the Earth itself to "rest" (Does God Exist, 2015). These scriptural examples, while only a sample rather than a complete inventory, illustrate a consistent biblical pattern of care for creation.
References
Bible Hub. (2015). Matthew 12:30 "Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters." Biblehub.com. Retrieved 16 October 2015, from http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-30.htm
Bible Hub. (2015). 1 Timothy 6:7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. Biblehub.com. Retrieved 16 October 2015, from http://biblehub.com/1_timothy/6-7.htm
Borba, A. (2015). 420 Partiers Leave Behind Mess At Golden Gate Park. Sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com. Retrieved 16 October 2015, from http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2015/04/21/420-marijuana-partiers-mess-hippie-hill-golden-gate-park-san-francisco/
DeWitt, C. (2015). Christians and the Environment: How Should Christians Think about the Environment? Christian Research Institute. Retrieved 16 October 2015, from http://www.equip.org/article/christians-and-the-environment-how-should-christians-think-about-the-environment/
Does God Exist. (2015). The Biblical Call to Environmental Stewardship. Doesgodexist.org. Retrieved 16 October 2015, from http://www.doesgodexist.org/MayJun08/BiblicalCalltoEnvironmentalStewardship.html
Merritt, J. (2015). Green Plus Christian Isn't New Math. ChristianityToday.com. Retrieved 16 October 2015, from http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2010/june/26.46.html
Old Earth. (2015). Can You Be a Christian and Believe in an Old Earth? Oldearth.org. Retrieved 16 October 2015, from
Open Bible. (2015). What Does the Bible Say About Caring For The Environment? Openbible.info. Retrieved 16 October 2015, from http://www.openbible.info/topics/caring_for_the_environment
Religious Tolerance. (2015). Wicca, the religion. Religioustolerance.org. Retrieved 16 October 2015, from http://www.religioustolerance.org/witchcra.htm
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