Climate Change

The following was posted on Social Media by a church leader:

“Church! This is serious, and WE are responsible for what happens next! :)What can we each be doing and collectively to be doing to deal with this and better steward creation?”

https://www.facebook.com/ntcglasgowcentre/videos/2275917522676071/UzpfSTEzNzkwMDI3NjpWSzo4NDk4OTU5NTIwMzE5MjQ/

And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Mark 8:36NLT

Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favourable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.. 2Timothy4:2NLT

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? Romans10:14NIV

There is little doubt in my mind that climate change is a problem which affects the whole world, and that as Christians we should take care of the stewardship of our planet, but I am still concerned by the words and tone of this church leader’s post. We must also bear in mind that some folks believe that climate change is nothing more than extreme weather which happens every millennia or so. Let me say up front that I do believe that we are at the risk of suffering badly from man made climate change, and if we are the ones who made things get this bad in the first place, we are also at least partly responsible for getting the planet out of the mess it’s in!

However, that’s not my greatest concern. I get the distinct feeling that we are letting the tail wag the dog. Climate change may be a problem, BUT it’s not the biggest problem facing mankind, or even the Christian. As Jesus followers, are we merely looking on while friends and family who are possibly unsaved, are heading for a lost eternity, but we are more concerned about the amount of plastic in our oceans? Or the packaging used to keep our fruit and veg fresh? Or the pollutants in our car exhaust? The church has been founded for a reason, but for what purpose? What is our primary focus? Is it saving the planet from its climate problems? Or is it pointing people to Jesus, thus saving their eternal souls?? I can hear some say that we must do both, but I ask again, where is our primary focus?

Which do you think is the more important in our life and thinking? What finds its way into our conversation, and onto our social media page? Is it saving the planet’s climate problem, or dealing with the God given mission to spread the gospel, leading to the saving of precious souls and setting them on the road to heaven? I think it’s a no-brainer, but what about you?

Responsibly

We are all adults, and we know that we must act responsibly, but have you noticed (if you haven’t, you are numb from the neck up) that our Radio and TV are choc full of adverts for alcohol, all the way from alcopops to the real hard stuff. Every advert finishes with the words on the screen, “please drink responsibly”. Why do you think they say that? Yes, it is a legal requirement, but why was the industry made do it against their will? Firstly it’s because it’s a good idea, and secondly, and I see this as more important, there are many many people who do NOT drink responsibly. In fact the vast majority of drinkers do NOT drink responsibly, they just want to get drunk, and there are lots of bad news reports when drink is involved. Ask any policeman, nurse, doctor, or social worker. If you live in Scotland especially at New Year time, you will know what I mean!

You might smile at the adverts for alcohol, but what if we took this to another level, and when it comes to the Bible, it should read, “please read responsibly”? At this point, you may be raising your eyebrows while asking yourself, where is he going with this? A very good question. In just the same way that the warning is needed for those who might abuse alcohol, a similar warning is required for some who might just over-egg, or over-do, or over interpret Scripture verses. I accept that we all have our favourites, but we should never misuse the Bible to read the way we want it, and to our own ends or agenda.

Not reading the whole Bible responsibly can result in ‘non-mainstream’ beliefs, and that same misuse can pit one group of believers over and against another. If we take a few verses in isolation, we can just about justify anything. However, if we follow the instruction to “please read responsibly”, we will avoid any extreme pitfalls and live a balanced Christian life. After all, the Bible contains the very words of life! The whole canon of Scripture is essential to our understanding, ALL of it, not just a few chosen verses!

All Scripture is given by God. And all Scripture is useful for teaching and for showing people what is wrong in their lives. It is useful for correcting faults and teaching the right way to live. 2 Timothy 3:16