As a Christian (don't worry I'm not planning to insult Christians : ) ), I believe that my faith in God as the Creator of heaven and earth should make a difference in how I live my life including how I interact with the Earth that God has given me to live in. Here are some scriptures that help shape my thinking:
Based on these verses, I try to be a good steward of all of the resources that God gives me. Just as I don't believe that Christians should waste their financial resources, they shouldn't waste natural resources either. Personally, I like solar panels, windmills, and alternative fuel vehicles because they have the potential to save money and also lead to greater flexibility and reliability than relying on power-grids and oil markets that tend to funnel money to countries that persecute Christians.
However, there is a growing danger that political elites will use an exaggerated fear of "climate change" as a means to gain tyrannical levels of control over common people, while exempting themselves. One way to identify those who are using environmentalism as a tool of political oppression is to see how they themselves live in their daily lives. Are they good stewards of natural resources? If I see someone flying around in private jets as they seek to make laws that condemn common people for driving SUVs, I have to doubt their motives. I believe that as good stewards, we should buy, use, and maintain, the most efficient and affordable vehicle that we really need. If you really need an SUV, great. But, if you really need an economy car, you can keep more money in your pocket to use for other things (your family, your church, and helping others etc.) and you don't have to send so much money to countries that persecute Christians.
I have heard a lot of talk from scientists, politicians, and pundits over the years. However, I have to say that veteran Bible teacher Hal Lindsey (in less than 30 minutes) makes more sense than anyone I have ever heard talking about the whole topic of climate change.
- God is the Creator and therefore the owner of the universe, earth, and everything in it (including humans). Genesis 1: 1 "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."
- God has appointed humans to be the managers of the earth. Genesis 1:26-28 "Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
- Even after sin, God is still in control of the earth, including the weather. Jeremiah 10:13 "When He utters His voice, there is a tumult of waters in the heavens, And He causes the clouds to ascend from the end of the earth;He makes lightning for the rain, And brings out the wind from His storehouses." 46 More verses
- Humans, especially Christians, should take good care of the natural resources that God has given us, because we will be held accountable all of our actions, including how we have used the blessings that God has given us. Matthew 25:20-21 "The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’ “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’" More Verses on Stewardship
- The Earth is our temporary home. 2 Peter 3:12-13 says, "as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells."
Based on these verses, I try to be a good steward of all of the resources that God gives me. Just as I don't believe that Christians should waste their financial resources, they shouldn't waste natural resources either. Personally, I like solar panels, windmills, and alternative fuel vehicles because they have the potential to save money and also lead to greater flexibility and reliability than relying on power-grids and oil markets that tend to funnel money to countries that persecute Christians.
However, there is a growing danger that political elites will use an exaggerated fear of "climate change" as a means to gain tyrannical levels of control over common people, while exempting themselves. One way to identify those who are using environmentalism as a tool of political oppression is to see how they themselves live in their daily lives. Are they good stewards of natural resources? If I see someone flying around in private jets as they seek to make laws that condemn common people for driving SUVs, I have to doubt their motives. I believe that as good stewards, we should buy, use, and maintain, the most efficient and affordable vehicle that we really need. If you really need an SUV, great. But, if you really need an economy car, you can keep more money in your pocket to use for other things (your family, your church, and helping others etc.) and you don't have to send so much money to countries that persecute Christians.
I have heard a lot of talk from scientists, politicians, and pundits over the years. However, I have to say that veteran Bible teacher Hal Lindsey (in less than 30 minutes) makes more sense than anyone I have ever heard talking about the whole topic of climate change.
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