Cal Beisner makes some helpful distinctions in this short piece for CT—part of a forum that also includes Albert Mohler and Jonathan Merritt—on evangelical stewardship of the environment.
Here is an excerpt from Dr. Beisner’s piece:
I care for my aunt who has Alzheimer’s disease and for her mentally handicapped daughter. That is, their needs are often on my mind, and I sympathize with them. My aunt’s doctor hardly knows her, but in terms of outward, objective action, he cares for her more than I do. My daughter, who lives with them and manages their household, cares for them both subjectively and objectively, much more than either the doctor or I do.
How concerned should Christians be about care for the environment? It depends partly on what we mean by “care for the environment.” Are we talking about subjective, emotional care, or objective, active care?