Factors related to the understanding of the cultural mandate in the creation account of Genesis among the Convention of Philippine Baptist ministers in the Province of Iloilo: Its implications to CPBC ministers’ current perceptions of environmental Christian stewardship

Abstract

This study aimed to determine factors related to the Convention Baptist ministers' understanding of the cultural mandate in the creation account of Genesis and its implications to their current perception of environmental Christian stewardship. A one-shot population survey was used. The mean and percentage distribution, gamma, t-test and the ANOVA were used as statistical tools. Results of the study revealed no significant relationship between the respondents' understanding of the cultural mandate and their current biblical-theological, ethical-economic, socio-political, and cultural-contextual perceptions of environmental Christian stewardship. Results further revealed no significant difference in the respondents' understanding of the cultural mandate when they were classified by residence, sex, age, educational attainment, pastoral status, and length of service, married ministers, however, have significant higher level of understanding of the cultural mandate than the single minister. In the exegesis of Genesis 1:26 and 28, the study revealed that human beings have the responsibility to be good and responsible stewards of God's world and environment. The majority of the ministers are knowledgeable of the cultural mandate; however, they are behaviorally passive in environmental Christian stewardship. Ministers are called to reflect on the biblical issue of the sin of omission.