The American Spectator

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We must care about environmental and climate issues because of our love for God…through whom and for whom the creation was made….Therefore, any damage we do to this world is an offense against God Himself (Gen. 1; Ps. 24; Col. 1:16). We share God’s concern for the abuse of His creation.

br> This section is lifted entirely from Claim #3 of the alarm -sounding Evangelical Climate Initiative , which among many other outrageous statements claims, “millions of people could die” if global warming is not addressed. And it appears that none of the theologians who signed the SBECI actually read the verses that are supposed to support the claim that “damage we do to the world is an offense to God Himself.” I defy anyone to read the entire Bible and find clear condemnation from God for “damaging the world.” People, yes; dirt, no. Have SBC theologians counted the cost versus the benefit of the onset of global warming, if indeed it is true? Doubtful. p>More Bible misapplication from SBECI (and the ECI): br> /p>

Within these Scriptures we are reminded that when God made mankind, He commissioned us to exercise stewardship over the earth and its creatures (Gen. 1:26-28).

br> Again, there is no principle to “exercise stewardship”; man was told to “rule over” the living creatures of the planet and the earth. I take “rule over” to mean that humans call the shots, not dogs and cats.

And by the way, why all this SBC commotion over keeping the soil and water immaculate, while the poor puppies and kitties get short shrift? God, as with the earth, created all the non-human living beings on the fifth and sixth days of creation, called them “good,” and commanded for them to be fruitful and multiply — yet we haven’t heard the Baptist leaders call for their members to go vegan. Why must we preserve a pristine earth but not the special critters He created?

It’s all evidence that the SBC has been intimidated into addressing an issue over which there is no clear Biblical mandate, and in which its members are sharply divided. When the signers say they must “humbly take responsibility for the damage we have done…,” they should speak for themselves. They only reveal their ignorance in areas of science and economics, and their cowardice in compromising their Biblical principles in the face of political pressure.