Doomsday

The problems of climate change, its causes and effects as understood by scientists has been accepted by the majority of citizens across the world, with the exception of a few very vocal and politically prominent dissenters. If we do nothing, and go on living and behaving as we have been these recent decades, the outlook is dire. It’s dire for the planet we live on, and the populations both rich and poor who inhabit it. Some have called it the ‘Doomsday Scenario’.

There are groups of campaigners and scientists leading the charge against fossil fuels, plastics, greenhouse gasses, air and sea pollution, melting icecaps, CO2 emissions, etc etc.. These are not cranks, but good people who want to do something to halt or reverse the current trends which take us down the slippery slope to doomsday. The people at the vanguard of these groups of campaigners are passionate about their cause, and rightly so.

I will be having knee surgery soon. Imagine my horror when I am wheeled into the theatre, ready for the anaesthesia when I recognise the man holding the scalpel as my friend the supermarket customer services manager. Don’t worry about this David, I am passionate about surgery and have read up on the intricacies of this operation, so you are safe and in good hands. Google is an amazing source of information he assures me before I drop off to sleep. Would I be happy? You bet your life I’m not happy. He is a really nice guy, but he is not qualified or trained for medical surgery. His training is in customer satisfaction.

The point is this. There are many well qualified scientists leading the fight against climate change. If anyone wants to trust them and follow, that’s great, but please don’t lead anyone to believe your passion makes you qualified to speak with authority on any subject other than the area of expertise you hold that certificate or qualification you studied hard for. Otherwise you dilute the significance and importance of your real area of knowledge and wisdom. Instead of shouting from the touchline, or behaving like a armchair critic, please stick to your own subject. In the case of Paul’s advice to Timothy, if you are a minister of the Gospel, then ‘Preach the Word...with careful instruction’. That’s your strength, no other! Each to their own!

Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 2Timothy4:2NIV