JOS JOURNAL OF RELIGION AND PHILOSOPHY

Thearticle examined the concept of avad and shamarin Genesis 2:15within the context of environmental protection and degradation. There has been gross misconception, misunderstanding and misinterpretation among scholars and laity as to the actual meaning of avad and shamar. Some scholars like Allen Ross(124)interpreted avad as a form of worship and not to cultivate the earth, while Von rad opined that the concept refers to serving and protecting the earth in a pristine state (75). In the contemporary times some Christians see the ethic of work as a result of the fallen nature of man in Genesis 3.The objective of this article is to argue that work is not as a result of the fall rather it is a gift from God to mankind be used in cultivating and keeping the earth as intended by the creator. In other to achieve the above objective the following methods were used; Exegetical,Textual (Inter-Intra), historical and hermeneutical principles. It was discovered that avad and shamar was initiated by God and not a resultant effect from the fall. Therefore, the study recommends that both the church and the society should embrace theconcept of avad and shamarin the light of keeping and protecting the earth from being degraded and destroyed.

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