Global warming, moral issues, and a Christian response

[elanor]

James Dobson (Focus on the Family) and other non-NAE conservative Christian leaders have written to the National Association of Evangelicals warning them about what they perceive as a threat to the group's unity and integrity. What is it? They think that NAE VP Rev. Richard Cizik's calls to Christians to address the issue of global warming is taking away from the focus on the "great moral issues of our time."

Says Rev. Cizik: I speak with a voice that is authentically evangelical on all the issues, from religious freedom around the world, to compassion for the poor, ending oppression in Darfur – and yes, creation care is one of those issues.

Source: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcont...n.3a70159.html

Read the letter (warning--it's in PDF):
http://www.citizenlink.org/pdfs/NAELetterFinal.pdf

I was wondering what your thoughts are on this.

• What do you consider the "great moral issues of our time"?
• What should our response as Christians be to human effects on the earth's climate?
• Should the NAE heed the request from these non-NAE Christian leaders?

Thanks in advance for your thoughtful, respectful answers!

 

[ArmoredTruth]

I believe that Global Warming could be caused by God in His preparations for His Son's return.

 

[hiumble1]

James Dobson (Focus on the Family) and other non-NAE conservative Christian leaders have written to the National Association of Evangelicals warning them about what they perceive as a threat to the group's unity and integrity. What is it? They think that NAE VP Rev. Richard Cizik's calls to Christians to address the issue of global warming is taking away from the focus on the "great moral issues of our time."

Says Rev. Cizik: I speak with a voice that is authentically evangelical on all the issues, from religious freedom around the world, to compassion for the poor, ending oppression in Darfur – and yes, creation care is one of those issues.

Source: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcont...n.3a70159.html

Read the letter (warning--it's in PDF):
http://www.citizenlink.org/pdfs/NAELetterFinal.pdf

I was wondering what your thoughts are on this.

• What do you consider the "great moral issues of our time"?
• What should our response as Christians be to human effects on the earth's climate?
• Should the NAE heed the request from these non-NAE Christian leaders?

Thanks in advance for your thoughtful, respectful answers!

I have read this and also have heard other well known leaders within the christian community speaking of environmental issues and how 'it should be our moral imperitive to be good stewards of this planet we were given'.
1st: I agree we should be good stewards. Take care of what we were given.
2nd: Our moral imperitive will be the state of a mans soul when he dies and stands before God. Have we done ALL we could to reach a lost world!!!...
My answer NO. If we have done all we could than why is crime rate up all over. Why is a lost world happy in its thought of swimming in sin daily without disregard of the consequenses. Where are the warnings to depart from wicked way 'lest you perish'.
We busy ourselves with retreats and bible studies. and fellowship. Which are all good. But the one thing we have the a lost world needs we do not give. We would rather busy ourselves with "cleaning our room" out of fear that the lord will come back one day and look at the world and say "You guys really messed this up, how about picking up after youself every once and awhile, do you really think you deserve heaven after this mess??".... I believe he gave us a command that no one has headed (or very few have).
Who is the wise man and who is the fool.
The wise man is he who hears his word and obeys them.
The fool is he who hears his word and obeys not.
This was given to us.
For a long time I never truly understood what that meant until I started to GO out and witness.
He was more concerned About reaching a lost soul than the appearance of the environment.
I am in no way saying we should let the it all go and just waste and trasah the planet. But it seems our focus is on our environment that saving the lost.
And No one can tell me we are done... We have not even scratch the surface. all you have to do is look at the world and watch the news. This world is eyeball deep in sin and getting deeper everyday.
I would rather spend my Money and time towards Spreading the Gospel, Preaching the Gospel to a lost world than making sure I am environmentally friendly.
(again dont think I am not environmentally friendly or against environmental issues that plague us; we must do something, but that should not take away our focus.; by the way I am an environmental engineer of 17 years so I am doing the best I can to fix our mistakes or clean up after us)

let me know if this does or does not make sense
ITGFY

 

[elanor]

I believe that Global Warming could be caused by God in His preparations for His Son's return.

Could you tell us why you think that? And what does that mean in terms of what the Christian response to global warming should be?

 

[ArmoredTruth]

Could you tell us why you think that? And what does that mean in terms of what the Christian response to global warming should be?

I believe technology is at a powerful threshold and can be used in horrible ways if not used properly in the wrong hands. As each day rolls by, the technology gets more powerful, affordable, understandable, and accessible to people that probably shouldn't have it. Frankly, I think this new power will fall into the wrong hands sooner than later, God knows this, and will stop the 'wrong hands'. God does know how far we've come in gaining the worldly power we now have, and I have faith He will stop us from abusing it. Cybernetics, thought control, and genetic manipulation are the three scariest technologies to me. As far as the Christian response, I would say to follow the laws the government establishes. We should maintain that God could be the one causing this, not just mortal men. If you feel the need to drive a hybrid car or walk to work, that's great too. Just as Paul stated in Romans 13:1 about God establishing the existing authorities of the nations, I believe God establishes the authority over the environment as well. When civilization ends, it will be because God said it was time, not because we drove our cars too much.

 

[BigNorsk]

It seems a bit strange to me for a group that has become so involved in politics to warn others to stay away from issues because it is going to sidetrack them from their main mission.

I mean really, isn't that a real pot calling the kettle black situation?

We are not all called to do the same thing. If God calls me to fight on some moral issue that does not mean that God also calls you to do the same. Could be that God called on you to be a good steward of His creation.

The churches main focus should be on reaching people with the Gospel. That is not moral issues and that is not global warming. I think the Association of Evangelicals and Dr Dobson have probably lost track of the fact that what they are doing in moral issues is not spreading the Gospel. You can pass all the laws in Washington you want, and ultimately it does not save a single life.

So the way I see it is just one group spending a lot of time on peripheral issues telling someone else how to spend their time and of course the ultimate message is support us and help us and you are wrong if you don't.

That's assuming that it was treated by the Association of Evangelicals as a neutral issue. It's actually possible that they are concerned that the people they want to support do so horrible in the area of global warming that they see it as campaigning against "their" candidates. Of course with all the scandals going on, I'm not even sure if they have any candidates right now.

In any case, if I wanted to spend some time on global warming. I wouldn't accept the guilt trip they are trying to lay on others. Being a good steward of God's creation is certainly a worthwhile and properly Christian thing to do.

Marv

 

[Everlasting]

I also agree that technology is a product of God's
inspiration. Satan will always try to pervert God's
blessings to the world. Technological inventions
are our means of survival. Without them, we
could not communicate our message to the world.
I think the key is faith. God presents trials and
tribulations for the good of all people. The bible
never says that everyone wil believe or understand,
but; it is our experiences: good or bad that shape
our belief structure. If you have never had challenges
in your life, then you would never have anything to
be thankful for.

Everlasting

 

[Merciel]

I applaud what the NAE is doing. I don't see how caring for the environment is a bad thing. At the very least it shows that Christians aren't all SUV-driving tycoons who don't care at all of the world they'll leave their children with. Despite what Focus on the Family thinks, there are people who do think that of conservative Christians and it really doesn't help spread the Gospel.

 

[jak]

Humans were asked by God to subdue and rule over the earth. They were put into a garden and asked to till it and take care of it.

Frankly, care of the earth is fair and square our responsibility. It is right to fulfill our responsibilities, and wrong to ignore and neglect them, whether in ignorance or error.

Global warming and the Christian response to it is therfore very much a moral issue. We could debate the comparitive seriousness of the moral issues of environmental neglect or war or abortion...but they are all moral issues.

 

[bluemarkus]

Gen 3:22 And he said: Behold Adam is become as one of us, knowing good and evil: now therefore lest perhaps he put forth his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever.

 

[soblessed53]

I believe Global Warming Alarmism is an Agenda to prevent the development of undeveloped countries,and just another diversion,to keep the people of the world, too busy,busy,busy to focus on all that is going on,and our minds off of God and communion with Him. It is of the devil! He knows he has but a short time.
Remember-
Genesis 8:22, “While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.”

 

[elanor]

Gen 3:22 And he said: Behold Adam is become as one of us, knowing good and evil: now therefore lest perhaps he put forth his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever.

Okay. It's a Bible verse. And how do you see that particular verse applying to this subject?

 

[soblessed53]

Very simple, God keeps His Word!

 

[elanor]

I believe Global Warming Alarmism is an Agenda to prevent the development of undeveloped countries,and just another diversion,to keep the people of the world, too busy,busy,busy to focus on all that is going on,and our minds off of God and communion with Him. It is of the devil! He knows he has but a short time.
Remember-
Genesis 8:22, “While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.”

Global warming is part of an agenda that is of the devil? Oh, goodness! Where to start?

It's about a physical change to the earth's atmosphere. Let's paint a picture. If we spent decade after decade pumping ever-increasing amounts of pollution into Lake Ontario, eventually we'd probably all be able to see the results in the water--the scum at the surface, the discoloration, the dead fish, the debris washing up on the shore, etc. You wouldn't be able to eat the fish, you wouldn't allow your children to go swimming in the lake, and you certainly wouldn't drink the water. The stench would become repulsive. Now imagine someone comes along and says, 'Hey! We need to stop this so we can clean up the lake so we can use it again and give it to our children and their children to enjoy.' Well, I just don't think we'd hear too many people saying, 'Ooh! That's an agenda straight from the devil, meant to distract us from God!'

No. It would be obvious. You mess it up, you try to clean it up. It just about being responsible. Responsibility--the kind of thing we try to teach our children.

But it's harder to see the changes happening to our climate--until we start learning of ice fields breaking apart and species being threatened because their habitat is changing. And it's harder to see--but no less real--the part industrialized societies have played in adding gases to the atmosphere that have contributed to the change. So here we are, and we've had a hand in this. The responsible thing to do is find out about it, and learn what we can do to at least stop making it worse than it already is. It'll take more than individual efforts, of course, but it won't happen with less than that.

This isn't about worshipping creation more than our Creator. It isn't about thinking global warming is more important than sharing the gospel. It isn't about focusing on this issue instead of on God. It's simply about being accountable. It's about doing the right thing when we get to make a choice. Isn't that what we're supposed to do in all aspects of our lives? That's anything but an agenda from the devil.

Hi Voegelin! I see you up there. You must have radar for any thread that mentions this subject.

 

[elanor]

Very simple, God keeps His Word!

I don't disagree that God is faithful to keep His word. I simply don't understand what the poster was trying to tell us about how he sees that particular verse applying in this situation. I wasn't debating--just asking him to help me understand.

 

[Voegelin]

Catholic and Protestant leaders have warned of environmental extremism. When science oversteps its bounds or metaphysics disguises itself as science, it is the job of theologians to say..."Wait a minute here...this is becoming dangerous".

 

[soblessed53]

I don't disagree that God is faithful to keep His word. I simply don't understand what the poster was trying to tell us about how he sees that particular verse applying in this situation. I wasn't debating--just asking him to help me understand.

BTW I'm a "she" not a he,LOL!

 

[elanor]

BTW I'm a "she" not a he,LOL!

I gathered from your CF character. But the verse I asked for explanation of was posted by bluemarkus, who (according to his CF icon) is a he.

 

[soblessed53]

Oh,I see.

 

[elanor]

Catholic and Protestant leaders have warned of environmental extremism. When science oversteps its bounds or metaphysics disguises itself as science, it is the job of theologians to say..."Wait a minute here...this is becoming dangerous".

Okay. But what I truly do not see is how it qualifies as extremism to bring to people's attention that there is a problem and that we--for a long time unknowingly--have contributed to it. We're talking about being willing to recognize that the problem exists, being accountable for whatever part we have played in it, and doing what we can (individually and as a society) to start turning that around. That's not crossing some nebulous metaphysical line. I see it as having integrity of character and being stand-up, responsible people.

It seems so clear to me that this is about doing the right thing, and I am honestly bewildered when I hear Christians denounce that as something of Satan. Seriously, if you can explain to me how you make that connection, I would like to understand. Because obviously we see this from totally different perspectives.