Does "subdue and dominate" mean modern material progress?

[Christphr]

The Book of Genesis says human beings are to “subdue and dominate” the earth. The general Christian belief is man is to overcome the forces of nature to sustain the human race. Are there other Christian understandings?

Is material “progress” of the modern age a core imperative of Christianity?

 

[0331]

Coincidentally, I just read about this line in Cardinal Ratzinger/Pope Benedict’s Spirit of the Liturgy. In the chapter ‘Sacred Time,’ p. 97, he says:

‘‘Sunday thus explains the commission given to man in the account of creation: ‘Subdue [the earth]!’ This does not mean: Enslave it! Exploit it! Do with it what you will! No, what it means is: Recognize it as God’s gift! Guard it and look after it, as sons look after what they have inherited from their father. Look after it, so that it becomes a true garden for God and its meaning is fulfilled, so that for it, too, God is ‘all in all.’ ‘’

He is discussing Sunday, why we especially worship God on that day. Of course, we celebrate the Resurrection. But it is also the first day of the week, and we celebrate creation that day. Creation of new life in Chirst and the creation of God’s good earth.