Towards a Theology of Farming

A person could write volumes on the intersection of Christian life and farming – and on the vast and various theological perspectives that would robustly support and uphold our care for farming and food production as Christians. There are numerous points and sub-points that one could argue from, but I would like to briefly mention five that I think lay a quite substantial groundwork for additional thought or discussion on the subject.

1. A Christian should care about food production and farming because the Earth is the Lord’s (Psalm 24). The cosmos was not created for us or around us. We do not, in any sense, own it – we are part of a larger Creation, all of which is the Lord’s. He made it for Himself and for His own glory. We are but creatures of the late sixth day (Genesis 1:24-31). All of Creation was brought forth by the Word of God as it was spoken into being, and each created thing of this inter-connected and whole Creation is but a member of a beautiful and profoundly articulate choir that moment-by-moment sings its Creator’s praise.

2. A Christian should care about food production and farming because we are created and called to be God’s representative to and towards the rest of Creation. We are stewards of all that God has made. We were (and are) made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26) and while this may mean we hold certain attributes (eg. moral reasoning) in our being that the rest of creation cannot claim – this “image of God” is also a calling. It is a calling (in a certain and limited sense) to be as God would be to His Creation. To serve as His representative to all that He has made.

This “imaging God” or “Stewardship” is an active task as Genesis 2:15 points out. We were created to “work and keep the garden.” The Hebrew words translated as “work” (abad) and “keep” (shamar) in this verse are words that could have been just as easily translated as “serve” and “protect.” Our “Stewardship” and “God-representing” is not only for our good – but for the good of the whole Creation. Or, at least, that is how things were intended to be (but sadly, often are not).

3. A Christian should care about food production and farming because farming and food production are gifts from God (Genesis 1:29ff). These are not accidental arrangements of history, evolution, or biology. We were created with the need for food – and God has provided, from the Earth, that which we need. Those of us who are not daily consumed with the elements of food production are really exceptions to the rule in all of human history. Up until the industrial revolution at the earliest and the post-WWII era at the latest most people in most places at most times on this planet did not have the option or luxury (is it a luxury?) to not care about food production and/or farming. This fact of life served as a daily reminder of our connection with, dependence on, and provision from this gift from God.

4. A Christian should care about food production and farming because Jesus cared about food production and farming. Our Savior did not live hovering a few feet off the ground, but was firmly rooted in the stuff of earth and lived close to it. His was not a spiritual existence if that means it was not physical. Jesus of Nazareth was thoroughly physical, human, and earthy. He is, after all, referred to as “the Second Adam.”

While not a farmer, Jesus’ trade was carpentry and he certainly knew the names of trees. He was intimately involved with a number of fisherman who followed him as disciples. He cooked a breakfast of fish for his close friends after the resurrection. The stories he told often included pastoral or agrarian imagery. His first miracle involved the transformation of water into wine. He was often accused of being a glutton and drunkard – two charges that we would dismiss. However, he evidently enjoyed food and wine.

5. A Christian should care about food production and farming because Christians yearn towards Kingdom of God – a Kingdom characterized by Shalom. Cornelius Plantinga, Jr. of Calvin College has defined Shalom as, “The webbing together of God, humans, and all creation in justice, fulfillment and delight.” One day Christ will return, the Kingdom will be consummated, and the Shalom of all things will be established. On that day we will continue to care for food production and farming as we dine at the Lord’s table, feast from His fields, and drink well-aged wine from his vineyard.

All our efforts will be gathered up into that day – and all those days to follow – for our tables now are but echoes of that future day, our fields now are but whispers of that coming hour, our goblets and cellars and vineyards now are but shadows of that certain celebration. We are a people who live now in the light of a future hope – and that future hope yet holds within it food production and farming.