I have been hesitant to write on the climate crisis debate. My hesitation has stemmed from the thought that I am not a scientist nor a politician. At least by the impression I get, these two groups have been in the forefront of the campaign. However, my silence turns out to be baseless since most of what is being discussed pertains to the world I am a part of, and I owe an obligation to it as well.
Many faith people have also taken a calm posture. However, I think like other faith, biblical Christianity presents a perception about the universe: its origin, being and destiny. In considering the "being" of the universe, one appeals to an ontological question answer. How does the world exist? Does it hold such notion as chaos to nature?
From the decisive point of Biblical history, one reads of the God who is the creator of the heavens and the earth and is actively involved with it through history. We find him constantly revealed as being sovereign over it. Psalm 24: "The earth is the Lord's and the fulness there of, the world and those who dwell their in,..".
As pointed out, man is part of the created universe. He is part of the creation. However, he stands out by being the only one created in the image of the creator, endowed also with creative abilities. His place as being created in the image of his creator means he has the responsibility to care and nurture the earth in a way that enhances it and increases its capacity. This is shown in Genesis 2: 15 that man is put in the midst of the creation to "work it and take care of it" (NIV). The Hebrew word that translate for this means "to serve" or "to tend". Even more, it is the same word that is used for service to God. What in Danish could also mean "gudstjernse". The implication of this is that man is a "steward". Man is a created steward of the earth. The term steward is quite central here as it means "a person who manages another's property" or "a person who has charge of the household of another". The concept of "management" and "being in charge" comes strong here. This concept is so strengthened in Genesis as it shows God delegating to man "dominion" over the earth. It is this concept that makes the concept of "economy" possible: mans relationship to the earth resources. Man has three dimensional relationship one to God, the second to other creation or nature and the third to himself (within his social structure). He has been created as a steward with guiding principles to manage the resources of the earth or "our home".
This biblical perspective assumes a higher law giver to whom man is responsible to-God- who not only created nature but make it possible. He set the notion of economy, government, environment, family etc., the together are to make the earth, our home function for the common good.
Global warming as an issue has been largely blamed on human activities: their use or abuse of the earth's resources. This implies a failed stewardship. There is therefore a corresponding call on man to change course of actions. Many however have been suspicious of the tone of the message, especially when some have used it for exploitative purposes either from a political, economic or scientific angle. It has, in some respect, even made some scientific predictions quite questionable. Especially when scientist begin to use a pattern of "doom's day message" to talk about global warming. The debate has raged on with so much severity calling for a global action to save the earth. Our earth is being describe as "in peril". Predictions by some scientist paints a picture of gloom as projections are made for a doomsday lying ahead of us should there be no concerted effort. In response, some even think the language of scientist is so strong that it could lead to some hysteria. The question that still begs the answer is how severe is the situation and how gruesome could it be if not adhered to? Reported on the website of the Copenhagen Post on the 30th November 2009, Dorthe Dahl Jensen a leading ice researchers at the Niels Bohr Institute at the University of Copenhagen is quoted as saying: ‘Stop talking about doomsday. The Earth is absolutely not sinking, nor are the polar bears, because the Earth has previously been much warmer." Dorthe Dahl Jensen is further reported as saying "it was deeply frustrating that climate was being blamed for all the evils of the world, whether it was animals dying out or people getting sick."
The point is that as a scientist she recognizes the shift in the global warming debate and the inherent danger in that. Scientist may be overstepping their territory and she concludes: ‘The debate has almost taken on a religious quality’.
I do not think that the Christian faith is an opponent of science. It only believes that science has its limitation when it comes to the question of truth. Scientific findings are helpful and needed but do not answer the question of absolute truth. There is more to the answer than science can give. Just because something has been proven scientifically does not mean that ultimate truth has been established. We must there for be careful the inferences or conclusions we draw from a supposed discovery. We have seen that theories in science are not fixed. More of this earth is yet to be fully explored. Our finiteness can only give us that much.
The biblical response to the global climate crisis is that any form of the abuse of the earth by man stems from a fundamental problem of the corruptible nature of the hearts of humans that affects all the spheres of their lives. The creative genius of humans reflects that endowment of God's image in them but the viciousness of humans reflects that part of him that yearns for help from the grip of evil. It is for this that the bible talks of redemption. The message of salvation in Jesus is a message of saving man from that grip of evil and restoring his stewardship of the earth. This is not to assume that only Christian can be conscious of the need to take care of the environment. In fact one can learn to take care of the environment without being a Christian but one cannot be a Christian without the sense of a moral obligation to the earth. Jesus is revealed as the restorer of all things in creation. History is linear from a biblical perspective. It is leading to a set purpose. Creation itself will be fully restored (Romans 8:21-23)...the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. Christians are having a calling not just to preach salvation from sin but restoration to all of creation and be stewards of the gift of creation.
The church within the society not only carry its role within the walls of the church building but recognizes the other institutions in the society as God's sacred tools and and those who lead them as his servants to bring justice and truth to the society. The church not only preach salvation from sins but have a moral and sacred obligation to be involved in the society for the common good. The reformers understood the faith not only from ecclesiastical functions but from a holistic perspective. Martin Luther is famously know to have said: "Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree." (www.brainyquote.com). In pointing to the true nature of value he said: "For in the true nature of things, if we rightly consider, every green tree is far more glorious than if it were made of gold and silver". The church should not play itself into the "climate change politics" but should not shy from its responsibility of promoting and campaigning for a responsible use of the resources of the earth for the common good. Every human, no matter where they are, should have the responsibility not only to extract the resources of the earth, but to do it in such a way that leaves it even better. John Calvin, a Reformer points to this in the 15th century by saying: "Let him who possesses a field, so partake of its yearly fruits, that he may not suffer the ground to be injured by his negligence; but let him endeavor to hand it down to posterity as he received it, or even better cultivated." This truth is built on a conviction that is build on biblical faith as he further say': ..."let every one regard himself as the steward of God in all things which he possesses". (www.iclnet.org)
For the Christian, the earth will face judgement not just from nature but from a living God. The world is in danger not just because of global warming but because of a global need for truth and that truth has come to all men. For all have gone away from God and do not live according to his purpose for their lives and their world. That is why Jesus has come to the earth over 2000 years ago.
The Yuletide is here again. It is Christmas. In this month will world leaders be gathering in Copenhagen to discuss the future of our world. Global warming among many other challenges are global issues. O how I wish, the reason for this season will not elude us again. For in this time a saviour was born for the salvation of the world.
