Feb 17 2009
Climate Change?
I don’t believe in global warming and climate change anymore than I believe in aliens. And though much of what I base that belief on is scientific facts, it’s the Biblical side of the equation that makes my hair stand up when I hear people, especially Christians, talk about the issue. Somehow people, though they hate God and refuse to worship Him, are so in awe of His creation that they actually worship it. But it’s not limited to non-Christians. Christians do it too. And that’s what disturbs me.
Instead of believing what they knew was the truth about God, they deliberately chose to believe lies. So they worshiped the things God made but not the Creator Himself, who is to be praised forever. (Romans 1:25 NLT)
Yesterday, I came across a post on my Google Reader from a Christian on the subject of climate change. This very gifted and sincere blogger wanted to urge people to give $25 to post an ad in the Washington Post, urging President Obama to formulate a plan to combat climate change when he meets with the Canadian Prime Minister.
One of my favorite things to do is find blogs of people that have very differing views from my own. And while I know what I believe, I never want to berate or harass someone simply because they don’t see an issue like I do. I could argue with someone’s intellect all day long, but God doesn’t get a hold of someone through their intellect. He gets a hold of them through their heart. Once their heart changes, then the intellect changes. So, it would be really silly of me to pick a fight with someone, thinking that I could change them (though I’ve been silly enough to do that before) by presenting them with clever facts. Instead, I just wanted to leave a comment that acknowledged his efforts, while trying to respectfully challenge his viewpoint. And I did.
He sent me this very gracious reply:
Right off the bat, I think you and I have some significant differences in theology. There’s nothing wrong with that, it’s just different. For starters, I no longer think that we’re going anywhere; I think Heaven is coming here. So the idea of “time left” doesn’t work for me anymore in the way that I’m coming to understand the Gospel. And if that’s true, then what we’re doing to God’s Creation (as opposed to our habitat) is of vital concern. In other words I don’t believe this planet will cease to exist. I believe we will ultimately “return to the Garden” (metaphorically) and to communion with God. I just think it will happen here.
I appreciate your comment though, and the way it was expressed. I’ve found that disagreements of this nature are often heated!
This man is a blessing. Clearly, he wants to make a difference in the world. And I admire that.
But instead of expressing my opinions on what he said, I really want to know what you think. Do you agree with him? At all? Or not all? Or 50/50?
I’m curious.
With Love,
Michelle
I want to say I don’t know, but I HATE not having an opinion on a matter. I HATE luke-warmness. I will say, I believe that He created us as stewards of this earth. We have done a TERRIBLE job of caring for that which He entrusted us with. Mark actually preached a reallllly good sermon on this in his series on Freedom. I wish that series was on the website. Do I believe in climate change? I do. Am I concerned deeply over it? Not in the slightest. I think Obama would be MUCH better of spending his time working to the end the war in Uganda. Rescuing children from the clutches of evil armies. Investing money into ending child-trafficking. Visiting children in hospices….there are much better ways to use money. Yes, our world is a gift to us from our Creator, but right now I just think there are more urgent matters at hand. Hope that makes some sense, Sis?!
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I think I’m more 50/50. Blindly, willingly and purposely destroying nature and not taking care of the earth I think is bad. To go so far as to start making laws….I’m not so sure about. I do believe we should take care of what is in front of us. All though, to go so far as to put the economy and trees above orphans and windows, I disagree with.
As for his comment about heaven coming to earth - why in Revelations does it say that the heaven and earth shall both pass away and then there will be a new heaven and a new earth. We are not just talking about the planet anymore, we are talking about the universe itself. Don’t ask me how. I don’t know, I’m not God and quite frankly I’m not sure my brain could handle those details.
Like you said, we just need common sense. Be good stewards, but do go overboard you know?
Hope this was coherent.
Emily’s last blog post..In a Month….
PS: Love your graphic up there.
PSS: That should say “orphans and widows” not windows.
Emily’s last blog post..In a Month….
I’m not a human caused/initiated global warming fan. I think it’s as farce and I’m amazed by the numbers of people that have bought into it. But I really dislike differences in Theology even. I know this writer says theological differences are “Ok” but a nation divided can’t stand. Already there are so many “versions” of the bible including “The Message”, the NLT, the King James, New King James, NIV, NASB, NAS, The Living Bible etc. and while they do agree with each other, sometimes they’re also different enough to confuse bible readers. Yet I do love all of our willingness to learn and I want that. But there are too many biblical/theological “gray areas” that Christians have chosen to debate over and over again. Since that’s true, why do we also have to find differences and problems over principles that I believe we should be together on? Christians don’t always have it right, I get that…but it won’t be long before we’ve all agreed to disagree so often that we won’t know the body of Christ from a hole in the wall anymore.
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