I read recently that a prominent Baptist pastor implied that having more than two children was a selfish
act due to the impending disaster of global warming. Therefore, it could be classified as a sin. So now,
we are sinning because we are not as alarmed as we should be about global warming? First, let me say
that a person’s beliefs about prognostications of weather patterns should not be a theological/doctrinal
issue. There are strong arguments on both sides of the issue, and a person is not “falling short of the
glory of God” by weighing the evidence and deciding which one has the strongest case.
Personally, I do not see a coming apocalypse of damaging heat patterns that will melt polar ice caps and
raise the oceans water level to flood stage. Many “record highs” have indeed been recorded over the
last few years, but records are primarily based on data collected since 1880. That’s only 145 years.
Basing fatalistic forecasting on data so relatively recent is, in my opinion, somewhat naïve.
Adding to that, the science pointed in an entirely different direction only 50 years ago. Remember the
impending doom of the “new ice age” in the mid-1970’s? Knowledgeable and respected scientists of
that era said we would freeze to death…and soon. As far as I can remember, that didn’t happen. And
honestly, “global warming” as a catch phrase fell out of favor and now we are to be alarmed by “climate
change”.
The main reason that I’m not alarmed and taking drastic steps to preserve the world is that it’s not
Biblically sound. 2 Peter 3:10 says: “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will
disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it
will be laid bare.” Does that sound like a slow, life-draining process to you? When it happens it will
happen and everyone will know it is happening and there is not one thing humanity can do about it. We
will not postpone it in any way. Our task, then, as Christians is to do the best we can to see that people
are spiritually prepared. Don’t worry about that which you cannot change. Is the world getting hotter?
Maybe. Will it get colder again? Possibly. Is the Lord God going to do what He says He will do?
Absolutely.
act due to the impending disaster of global warming. Therefore, it could be classified as a sin. So now,
we are sinning because we are not as alarmed as we should be about global warming? First, let me say
that a person’s beliefs about prognostications of weather patterns should not be a theological/doctrinal
issue. There are strong arguments on both sides of the issue, and a person is not “falling short of the
glory of God” by weighing the evidence and deciding which one has the strongest case.
Personally, I do not see a coming apocalypse of damaging heat patterns that will melt polar ice caps and
raise the oceans water level to flood stage. Many “record highs” have indeed been recorded over the
last few years, but records are primarily based on data collected since 1880. That’s only 145 years.
Basing fatalistic forecasting on data so relatively recent is, in my opinion, somewhat naïve.
Adding to that, the science pointed in an entirely different direction only 50 years ago. Remember the
impending doom of the “new ice age” in the mid-1970’s? Knowledgeable and respected scientists of
that era said we would freeze to death…and soon. As far as I can remember, that didn’t happen. And
honestly, “global warming” as a catch phrase fell out of favor and now we are to be alarmed by “climate
change”.
The main reason that I’m not alarmed and taking drastic steps to preserve the world is that it’s not
Biblically sound. 2 Peter 3:10 says: “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will
disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it
will be laid bare.” Does that sound like a slow, life-draining process to you? When it happens it will
happen and everyone will know it is happening and there is not one thing humanity can do about it. We
will not postpone it in any way. Our task, then, as Christians is to do the best we can to see that people
are spiritually prepared. Don’t worry about that which you cannot change. Is the world getting hotter?
Maybe. Will it get colder again? Possibly. Is the Lord God going to do what He says He will do?
Absolutely.