A Climate for Change: Global Warming Facts for Faith-Based Decisions

Generally good info

Suffers theologically from the adherence to Biblical literalism but does a good job of explaining enviromental systems.

Choosing to do nothing is the wrong choice...

In a recent book, "A climate for change" authors Katherine and Andrew Hayhoe have a "quiz" on their books website. One of the questions says, "The Bible explicitly tells Christians that planet care is part of their calling." To which you are to choose between "Fact" or "Fiction."

Which is a loaded question to begin with, to be sure. But let me save you from answering according to the authors it's a myth. [which I guess means 'fiction'] To site their proof-texting I give you a quote from chapter 21 of their book.

1 Corinthians 6:12
"Everything is permissible for me'- but not everything is beneficial"

".No condemnation. No guilt. No religious obligation. There are many gray areas with regard to how Christians "should" respond to things that the Bible does not directly address. Climate change falls into that category. Therefore, like any matter, it is incumbent on us to become aware of the issues at hand and then act as our hearts and minds lead us. This is true Christian
freedom in action. If you decide you don't want to individually contribute to a solution to climate change, so be it. You are free in Christ to decide that. Conversely, if you as an individual decide to make decisions that help, that is great. You won't earn status points with God. But you will be doing something that benefits yourself and others along the way, a very tangible expression of God's love to others. Let's explore our freedom to choose a little further."

And while I agree that the bible does not address climate change as well as other "gray area" subjects [i.e. sex before marriage, consuming alcohol, wearing ties to church] - that does not give us the right to "make up pour own mind."

Our religious obligation is to care for creation. I think that mandate is somewhere in Genesis. For the authors to quote Paul - who is commenting on a popular Greek colloquialism of his day - is a huge misappropriation. A popular saying was "everything is permissible for me" it was used to wave away eating too much and having crazy sex. Paul comments in his own words, "but not everything is beneficial." And I would argue that choosing to "do nothing" about global care is not a benefit to the earth.

God made the earth and said, "it is good." [check Genesis for me to make sure it's still there] so I don't think we have the right to "mess up" or even to even stand idly by and allow others to mess up that which God has made.

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