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How you answer that question might depend on who you ask. An astro-physicist might reply that the universe began several thousand million years ago as a gigantic nuclear explosion. A theologian might reply that God created the world but also be concerned to speak more about why God created the world, than how God created the world.
The first question is perhaps the more important as it asks us to think about the purpose and meaning of creation. As far as the origin of the world is concerned, the Bible simply says that God created it (Genesis1: 1, John1: 3, Hebrews 11:3). Not all Christians agree over the origin of life. Most however believe that it is best explained by some form of evolutionary theory and they believe that this evolutionary process has been sustained by God and used by him. The Book of Genesis declares creation to be good and says that God was satisfied and pleased with his handiwork. This surely means that the world should be something we revere and delight in.
There is certainly a good basis in the biblical teaching on creation to support environmental conservation, recognising that we are part of creation and have the responsibility to use wisely and steward carefully all that God has given us.
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