The natural laws of physics and the universe were created by God and in his providence; he upholds and sustains all that he has made (Heb 1:3). We are created in God’s image with spiritual, intellectual and relational abilities and have been given dominion by God over the earth. We are to manage it and use it wisely and for the betterment of mankind and the furtherance of God’s will. It should be thoroughly studied so that we might do this intelligently.

As far as animism is concerned—that is, the belief that inanimate objects have souls—the Bible everywhere discounts such an idea, though it is integral to certain native American Indian beliefs and other major religions as well. It is also related in many religions to pantheistic and panentheistic thought which the Bible would reject outright.