Mar 13, 2008 1:25 pm US/Pacific
Baptist Treatise Urges Fight On Global Warming
Barbara Kessler
The Southern Baptists signaled this week that they'll be joining the growing
arc of citizens concerned about global warming by issuing a position paper. The
"
Southern
Baptist Environment & Climate Initiative", an ardent and eloquent
treatise crafted by some of the churches' young and established leaders,
declares that the church has been "too timid" on climate change and urges
preachers to call their congregations to action.
The document argues that working to save the Earth from destruction, and in
particular, the poor who will suffer the brunt, must be a part of the Christian
agenda in the spirit of brotherly love, caring for one's neighbor, ministering
to the poor and other Christian imperatives. To do otherwise would make Baptists
appear "uncaring, reckless and ill-informed…to shirk our responsiblity to be
salt and light," it said.
Calling on the faithful to "preserve and protect" God's creation, the
treatise explains that Baptists will not compromise on their right-to-life,
anti-abortion stance by joining efforts to curtail population growth, an
outreach of some environmental groups. Rather, Baptists can offer "moral witness
in other venues and on many issues" related to the care of the planet.
Unsurprisingly, the document acknowledges global warming doubters among
Baptists, conceding that the phenomenon of climate change has not been 100
percent proven, nor has it been shown absolutely to be caused by human
actions.
But the statement also takes in the sweep of the scientific debate – in which
the vast majority of scientists studying climate change concurred in 2007 that
human actions like driving cars and burning fossil fuels are causing atmospheric
decline – concluding that even amidst continued disagreement "we have to make
informed decisions about the future."
"We do not believe unanimity is necessary for prudent action. We can make
wise decisions even in the absence of infallible evidence…Though the claims of
science are neither infallible nor unanimous, they are substantial and cannot be
dismissed out of hand on either scientific or theological grounds."
In other words, Baptists, when it comes to global warming, take a little leap
of faith.
- (Among the signatories are church heavyweights like Jack Graham, Pastor
of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano and past SBC President, (2002-2004), and
Dr. James Merritt, pastor of CrossPointe Church and former SBC President,
(2000-2002). Dr. Merritt's son, Jonathan Merritt (B.S. from Liberty University,
2004; M.Div from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2008) is the
National Spokesperson for the Southern Baptist Environment & Climate
Initiative.)
- More information for evangelical Baptists, such as sermons and Bible study
ideas, is a available at Creation Care.
(Copyright © 2009 | Distributed by Noofangle Media)
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