Ask the Pastor 108

How should we think biblically about climate change?

The whole idea of climate change is highly debated and there are accusations and counter-accusations being made by both sides. This is another subject that the Bible does not address directly. However, there are at least 3 things that we can learn from the Bible about our world. The first, is that our world was created by the Lord God and it is not nearly as fragile as the “scientist” would have us believe. It stands to reason that a created world created by an omnipotent God is going to be much more durable than one that just happen to pop into existence and develop through natural selection. This world was made for man to inhabit it, “Who did not create in vain, who formed it to be inhabited:” (Isaiah 45:18) and as such, it was created for man to live and prosper. The fact that mankind would one day create vehicles that give off pollutants did not come as a surprise to our God. The second, man is given responsibility for caring for creation, “God blessed them, and god said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it;” (Genesis 1:28). We notice that God did not tell man to be fruitful and fill the earth to only a certain number because after that the earth would not be able to sustain mankind. At the same time, we realize that mankind is to be a steward over creation and contribute to its ongoing growth and fruitfulness. The key here is that this stewardship ought to be done through a clear understanding of man’s relationship to God rather than by way of government intervention. The third, is that one day this world is going to burn up, “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.” (II Peter 3:10). Those who are concerned about global warming have not seen anything yet, only those who have trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ will be saved from this ultimate disaster.

Have questions about the Bible? Send them to Dr. Greg Koehn at gak4850@gmail.com and read the answer here in this article.