Issues and Politics and Questions and Technology Michael Krahn on 29 Jan 2009 05:15 pm
Do Christians Believe in Global Warming?
I was asked the following question by a friend this morning: “In your experience do Christians believe in global warming?”
In the interest of a lively discussion, I’ll throw the question out here.
Go ahead, have at it. The guy who asked the question will be taking part in the discussion so feel free to ask him clarification questions.
Michael Krahn (michael.krahn@gmail.com) is a husband, father, Pastor, writer, and recording artist who enjoys books, theology, technology and the Ottawa Senators.
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on 29 Jan 2009 at 5:24 pm # Tim J Challies
I would say no. Now don’t write this off as mere ignorance. I think Christians are more and more understanding that we do need to do a better job of caring for the earth and to regard it as a gift of God. But I don’t think Christians are buying into the global warming (or is it climate change?) talk. Why? Probably two reasons. First, the Bible tells us how the world ends and it ends with a bang, now with a fizzle. Second, Christians are accustomed to thinking critically about issues like this one. We are, perhaps, a little harder to win into arguments like this one that seek to change *everything*.
on 29 Jan 2009 at 5:51 pm # Don Snider
Yes, it’s called hell!
Seriously though, since the curse of sin the entire creation is in a state of decay. Yes we are commanded to be stewards of this planet but we can not recreate it. If we were some how able to stop producing any kind of pollutant, from chemicals to burning wood for heat, we still could not stop the decay of creation.
Taking a look at all the data not just what the political noise makers want to look at the evidence is clear that the global temperatures have not risen in the last decade. Furthermore with the documented facts that Greenland, not to mention England, were able to grow vineyards a couple of hundred years ago is proof that this “climate change” is not new but continuous and it is controlled by an All Mighty Creator.
on 29 Jan 2009 at 5:54 pm # Jeremy Best
Unfortunately many Christians don’t believe in global warming and for precisely the reason given by Tim above. They assume, incorrectly, that in talking about climate change we are talking about the end of the world. This is not the case. Life will go on even if many of the worst predictions come to pass. It’s just that the result would be the loss of millions of species and potentially millions of human lives.
I’ve heard other believers say “I’m not worried about global warming, God’s in control, He’ll end the world when he wants, and then He’s taking us out of here anyway.”
Well, yes God will end the world when his timing is complete. That’s not to say that he won’t let us live with the cataclysmic consequences of our actions for a few millenia before hand though. Also, remember that one of the first commands given in scripture is for Adam and Eve, and by extension the human race after them, to care for the planet God has entrusted to us. Finally, the end of all things isn’t simply about us being whisked away to heaven. Revelation 21 describes a renewed heaven and earth that will be our eternal dwelling. God intends to renew his entire created order.
Putting all this aside, scientific observation (despite a certain past US president’s attempts to suppress and ignore it) is proving over and over again that the climate is changing, that humans are responsible for this change, and that the time to reverse this change is running out.
on 29 Jan 2009 at 5:56 pm # Matthew Burkholder
“In your experience do Christians believe in global warming?”
I would have to say that my experience is a split one. Some people like to use biblical “evidence” in some weird attempt to refute the science of global warming. I find it really odd, that Christians constantly feel the need to interpret science through the lens of the bible. Don’t get me wrong, I would die for the bible, but it is a book about God’s redemption of man – not a science textbook.
This world has, in the past hundred years, suffered the death of millions of people due to wars and famine. Does that mean that since God will eventually redeem this earth, that we sit by and let people starve to death, or allow unjust wars to continue? Global warming is a byproduct of our arrogance. As the population of this world increases (astronomically now) the demand on this planet is heavy. If we ignore the need to change our habits, we are going to be just as guilty as those who throughout history, have acted to damage this planet and its inhabitants. Instead of warplanes, we are unleashing poisonous pollution on the planet.
Is this apart of God’s plan? Are we just passive beings unable to change the events of history? Is that what God has called his church to be – passive babies afraid to give up our gigantic SUVs to help change the planet?
Hey Christians, one of your first jobs since creation was to take care of the planet. Maybe the fact that the polar bears are dying, glaciers are melting, more and more people are getting asthma, and the earth is well, getting really HOT, maybe suggests the humans aren’t doing a really good job. (Oh yeah, taking care of the planet isn’t a directive for “Christians” but all humans, so lets not worry about holding hands with pagan scientist)
on 29 Jan 2009 at 6:04 pm # josh krahn
Well to a certain degree yes. I’m sure that we are doing harm to our planet with our pollution and crazy consumption of oil. but I think it’s being blown way out of proportion. I watched a segment on the news a couple days ago that was an interview of a random lady. They asked her what she’s doing in order to go green. she replied by saying ” I put all the energy saver light bulbs in my home” even after hearing that they can emit toxic gases if broken and cause headaches if you are in close contact with them a lot. So she said that we need to take action for our planet even if it harms us as human beings. It’s definitely ridiculous when your putting the planet first instead of something created in the image of God.
on 29 Jan 2009 at 6:32 pm # JJ
http://energy.nationalreview.com/post/?q=NWYzNTAyNDEwMDhjZmNkOGQwMDJmOTYyYTJkN2YxZmU=
I am not smart enough to know, but Jay Richards speaks for me on the issue until I declare otherwise.
Elsewhere, Richards has asked a great question: What is the earth’s ideal temperature?
on 29 Jan 2009 at 6:42 pm # noah Johnson
Scientists are divided over the issue. But considering the fact that temperatures were higher 500 years ago it seems wierd to say that man has caused this. there is ample evidence that suggests the sun goes through cycles that affect the temperature of the planets that orbit it. which is why several planets in our solar system are expirencing “global warming”. Certainly these alarmists are not going to suggest man is responssible for those planets warming up too.
on 29 Jan 2009 at 7:09 pm # Ezra Engle
I think it is in the interest of scientists and those who are most concerned to create an alarmist mentality to push popular opinion which affects democratic legislation. I don’t agree 100% in the idea that the changes in temperature from year to year is solvable by mankind’s potential solutions, but it is something I am ready to support doing what we can, so long as it doesn’t require putting the rights of humans to live and flourish as we were created. The statements that disturb me most are ones which declare human existence as the main source of the problem. These ‘nature is god’ believers could lead to a real impact on our ability to decide whether or not to have children and if government could decide such things. I am all for efficiency and adaptation otherwise.
on 29 Jan 2009 at 8:56 pm # ED...
A whole bunch of scientific-type people make careful measurements of global warming, and they say that they notice it happening, so I believe them. Why wouldn’t I? They don’t all have axes to grind. I suppose it makes sense that the things we’re doing in the planet have an effect on the planet… What I’m not sure about is what it all means.
It’s not a religious conviction. It’s just an ignorant, vicarious belief. I’d be happy to be persuaded that it’s all fictitious. For what it’s worth, I didn’t believe that fruit was causing me cancer, that the millennium bug would bring planes to earth with a bump, or that any of the asteroids which were going to obliterate us last century would fall in my porridge. In other words, this looks to me a lot more like deduced reason than panic-stricken speculation.
ED…
on 29 Jan 2009 at 9:46 pm # Andy Doan
You would all agree that it would be hard to maintain a conservative view point if everything that we’ve been told about climate change is true. I was under the impression that some would rather reconcile the dilemma by falling deeper into belief systems (like Christianity) to look to justify old ways of thinking. I know that there are a lot of people willing to face the reality of the situation rather then to wait and see how God wraps it all for us.
The biggest take away from this discussion for me so far would be this: God created Man and Earth, he’s not going to be happy if we mess either of them up through our action or inaction. Agree?
P.s. Climate change is not a political issue, and there isn’t wide spread disagreement within the scientific community. These are mind traps not opinions. Do not fall for them.
on 29 Jan 2009 at 10:22 pm # Alden
I don’t know that being Christian has any impact on whether or not you believe in global warming – personally, I don’t think it has anything to do with the end of the world.
As I posted on my blog yesterday, there is a growing opposition among scientists to the global warming claims. It’s been known for years that there are problems with the computer models, which make projections based on data created by the models themselves. And, recent data shows the planet cooling, Antarctic ice increasing, and other things contrary to the projections.
Now, as a Christian (and an amillennianist at that), I believe we need to be responsible stewards, and controlling pollution, etc., is a good thing. However, I’m not being motivated by the fear-mongers.
on 29 Jan 2009 at 11:39 pm # Michael
The idea that being Christian should in any way influence one’s views on global warning is baffling. I happen to enjoy rowing but that has about the same relevance to the question of whether global warming is a fact as one’s religion or the colour of one’s socks.
To tie religion to everything especially issues such as this is dangerous and moreover it makes Christians look really really dumb. Only the most fervent religious zealots would want to associate religion with all aspects of life but this does seem to be an unfortunate upward trend. Hopefully a greater understanding through technology and science along with improved education will bring some rationale back into the equation.
I just hope we all last that long.
on 29 Jan 2009 at 11:53 pm # Michael Krahn
Andy,
Agree: “God created Man and Earth, he’s not going to be happy if we mess either of them up through our action or inaction.”
Michael,
The friend who asked this question is not a Christian – he is somewhere between agnostic and atheist last time I asked.
I’m not sure how answering the question of an honest skeptic makes Christians look dumb. In addition see comment #1 from Tim: “Christians are accustomed to thinking critically about issues like this one. We are, perhaps, a little harder to win into arguments like this one that seek to change everything.” I know you’ve met enough of ‘my kind’ now to know that this is not true of all Christians, but of more than you would have thought a year or two ago.
If you look at the comments above, you see a series well-reasoned responses. Who would have thought? ;-)
on 30 Jan 2009 at 12:10 am # Michael
I didn’t say answering the question makes Christians look dumb, I said the notion that religion should impact on such a discussion is dumb. I stand by that. If you look at the evidence objectively then we have no problem. However we all know just how many Christians are lunatics and ignore the evidence in favour of what a pastor says or their own interpretation of some religious script they don’t understand in the first place.
As for Christians being accustomed to thinking critically about such issues, that’s only true in the sense that they (and I mean the really stupid ones) distrust science because of a preconditioned belief system that science and religion are not compatible. Thus religion must win when there is a contentious issue in the science/religion arena.
The result? Christians not worrying about nuclear weapons or global warming because they know how the world will end and they take a delight in thinking it will happen in their life time. The more nuclear weapons the better.
Of course I repeat, I’m not talking about all Christians, just the dumb ones. I must admit I think I spot one above which might contradict your point about ‘well-reasoned’ responses but I guess it could be worse :)
on 30 Jan 2009 at 1:29 am # Michael Segui
Once upon a time Christians also condemned a man for daring to suggest that the earth revolved around the sun.
on 30 Jan 2009 at 1:37 am # Michael
Ah yes, the heresy of the copernican system but that man is now apparently a man of faith so of course all is forgiven :) http://article.wn.com/view/2008/12/24/Vatican_recasting_Galileo_as_man_of_faith/
Isn’t there a statue of him at the Vatican now? I’m sure Galileo is delighted to be held in such high esteem by a genocidal, unethical, peodophilic and racist organization. :)
on 31 Jan 2009 at 1:30 am # Michael Krahn
Here are some comments that came in via Facebook:
Bill:
I believe it doesn’t matter. Whether global warming is happening or not it doesn’t change how we should be behaving. Either way it is our responsibility to be caretakers of the earth which means stopping pollution and doing our best to recycle and use reusable resources.
Jake:
Many Christians I meet, believe in global warming but don’t seem to care. I think its because they reject the the uber environmentalist movement and then settle at the polar end of the issue.
Eric:
Is the question do we believe in heating and cooling cycles of the earth, or that it is all influenced by human emissions and living our lives?
Travis:
In my experience, only self-centered people believe in man-made global environmental damage. It’s those that would have us believe that abortion is okay because there are too many of us anyway.
Andrea:
I don’t understand how a christian cannot “believe” in global warming. Were not talking about Santa Claus here! Just take a look at the latest research. No other time in the history of the earth have temperatures fluctuated so radically. Every 500 years or so there is a temperature cycle that happens. This is a fact and is proven with … Read More research. The disturbing thing is that this cycle is far hotter, and FAR more extreme than it has EVER been. This is also a fact and is backed up by research.
Very interesting topic Mike!
on 31 Jan 2009 at 4:27 am # isaac krahn
I remember in high school they were telling us that there was an ice age coming. I know I’m getting older but surely things don’t change that drastically in a few short years.
This does not mean we shouldn’t be more responsible when it comes to the environment – we definitely should.
on 31 Jan 2009 at 3:55 pm # Joe
I was going to stay out of this, I was. I find that those who believe in it often have their minds made up and there is no questioning of it. Sadly, often those who don’t believe in it have crappy reasons for the why.
But there have been a lot of definitive statements made here and via facebook that claim research and fact.
The truth is the idea of global warming and climate change is under a not so favorable review by a lot of scientist from conservatives and liberals. Heck, even the Huffington post went after Al Gore and his **cough** cough** Nobel peace winning ***cough***cough** movie.
Of course, we should wisely steward the earth but I am afraid that much of what is said on both sides of this argument has more to do with ideology before we get to the topic than anything else.