In my religious ethics class, I learned that some scholars and religious environmental activists argue that a better understanding of Genesis 1:26 (where God gave man rule over the earth) is that God actually gave man stewardship over the earth. That means we need to protect the environment, because that is part of the role God has given us. Is this accurate? -- Brandon Jones

Actually, I see no other way to take this passage! Nor do I think I have ever read a biblical scholar who interpreted dominion in the Genesis passage to allow exploitation of the earth.

Yes, this view is accurate. (Even if some churchgoers and politicians would like to ignore it!)
