Biblical Perspectives on Environmental Stewardship and Their Relevance to Rwanda's Ecological Challenges
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65336/WJMS.2026.3605Keywords:
Biblical Environmental Stewardship, Creation Theology, Ecological Ethics, Environmental Conservation, Rwanda, Sustainable Development.Abstract
This study, entitled “Biblical Perspectives on Environmental Stewardship and Their Relevance to Rwanda’s Ecological Challenges,” examines how biblical teachings on creation and environmental stewardship can contribute to addressing contemporary ecological challenges in Rwanda. The study aims to explore the understanding of environmental stewardship among undergraduate students in the Faculty of Theology at the Catholic University of Rwanda and to assess the relevance of biblical principles to Rwanda’s environmental context. The study is guided by the research question: How can biblical perspectives on environmental stewardship contribute to addressing Rwanda’s ecological challenges? It hypothesizes that a stronger understanding of biblical teachings on creation and stewardship among theology students enhances their awareness of environmental responsibility and their willingness to engage in ecological conservation. The study employed a descriptive mixed-methods approach, combining biblical-theological analysis with empirical research. The target population consisted of 70 undergraduate students from the Faculty of Theology at the Catholic University of Rwanda, all of whom participated in the study. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire and complemented by brief open-ended questions. Quantitative data were analyzed using frequencies and percentages, while qualitative responses were examined thematically. The findings indicate that 87.1% of respondents regard environmental stewardship as an important Christian responsibility, while 81.4% believe that biblical teaching can contribute to environmental protection in Rwanda. Furthermore, 78.6% consider the Church’s role in environmental education important, and 74.3% express willingness to participate in environmental conservation initiatives. However, only 62.9% report having received substantial theological formation on environmental issues. The study concludes that biblical perspectives provide a strong theological foundation for promoting ecological awareness among theology students and strengthening the Church’s contribution to environmental stewardship in Rwanda.
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