Church leaders on global warming
April 20, 2006
Thanks to Michael Kruse for pointing me to this article. If scientists cannot agree on global warming, how can these evangelical church leaders be so sure?
WORLD Magazine | Weekly News, Christian Views
The Evangelical Climate Initiative (ECI), a statement signed by 86 prominent Christian leaders, outlines the catastrophic dangers of global warming and cites biblically mandated stewardship as the impetus for governmental restrictions on greenhouse gas emissions. Support from such highly visible sources as Purpose Driven Life author Rick Warren and Foursquare Church president Jack Hayford gives the ECI an unprecedented measure of credibility among those typically leery of environmental causes.
But how exactly did so many influential, responsible evangelicals untangle the convoluted web of climate change issues? How did they develop such certainty on such a complicated matter? Perhaps they didn’t.
One of the weaknesses of the institutional church is it’s penchant for pronouncing judgment on matters beyond its competence. A prophetic statement on stewardship of the environment is one thing, but in matters of Government policy, it would be much wiser for church leaders to remain silent.
The problem for many Christians is that both sides of the global warming issue have credentialed authorities who make convincing arguments. The Bible itself calls for environmental stewardship but emphasizes the importance of helping the poor and does not resolve the current debate. Most past evangelical calls to stewardship have focused on clear biblical principles, shying away from specific policy positions and generating little national media attention. The ECI’s attachment of moral imperatives to federally imposed limits on greenhouse gas emissions was new, and it generated prominent coverage from most every major news outlet in the country.
Global warming may or may not exist, and if it does it is not at all clear to many of us what should be done about it, if anything. There are even credible statements that a warmer climate may be beneficial. It’s true that industrialization and rising economic expectations have negatively impacted the environment, raising legitimate concerns. How governments respond is determined by many things, one of them being the prevailing worldview of their people. In the U.S., secularism prevails and Christian leaders would be well advised to choose another strategy if they hope to influence public policy.
Dave, not too hopeful for wise Governmental policies on anything.
Comments
Got something to say?
