How Should Christians Respond to Climate Change?

Ask Pastor John
Episode: 1485

[sssslumber]

In the Book of Genesis, God makes humans the guardians of his creation. What science shows us is that humans are failing at that mission.

[gnayr]

Why can’t a person care for humans and the earth? Why can’t we be full Christ-like and do our part to be good stewards of God’s creation? What makes humans feel like they need to take sides and be either right or left, republican or democrat? I believe in Jesus. I love humans. I love animals. I love the earth.

[augustine.c]

Killing the environment = hurting people. Wasting resources = greedily taking more than we need = less resources for others.
Let us love people and future generations by being faithful stewards of the earth. Loving the environment and loving people go hand in hand.

[Debora-k]

I think we absolutely honor God by taking care of and appreciating what He has given us. Our bodies and the earth.

[philipbenjamin]

Absolutely beautiful answer (the comparison with the earthly body)! I’m amazed by how wise this is.

[Derek_Baumgartner]

Great answer.
It doesn't thoroughly answer the question, but it doesn't need to: a lot of things in life are not going to be handed to us on a platter, nor made clear to us in less than 15 minutes.

But what John Piper did here is this:

-Recognized what he did not know: this is a wise thing to do. Too often we want to stand on what little things we do know and pretend we have the whole of it. Pride is a terrible thing: I've a long way to go.

-Looked to the Word for guidance without reading something *over* it. You've probably heard or seen some folks justify certain actions by asking "What would Jesus do?".
I recall Ray Comfort saying that he hates that phrase, because we can insert almost anything we like to answer it. Rather, we should look at what Jesus *did* do: the things He did on this earth, as well as the Word that He gave to us.
Look to what God *has* given us, and act in a manner that is consistent there, rather than trying 'squeeze Jesus' into your problem and imagining what He'd pick if He were you (which He isn't!).

-NOT looking to the world's approval for which stance to take.
This is a huge one, and another point where I've a long way to go.

====
Regarding the issue of climate change itself: we've seen practical 'doomsday cults' arise around it, nearly every 12 years saying we have only 20 years to live. The exact number of years varies, of course.
A website even was released recently for someone to confess their 'environmental sins' at in order to feel absolution. Folks do, indeed, turn to creation-worship when they stop worshiping God, and some people choose to worship the earth.

That said, the solution offered by many of these cults has not been research, infrastructural changes, or re-doing power grids, but rather seeking the total dissolution of existing institutions, and only in Western countries.

They are, as John Piper just mentioned, afraid of what people will call them if they were to state these same changes should be performed in nations that are opposed to Western democracy: they will attack the U.S.A., or the U.K., or Brazil, or you name it, but they will never attack Russia or China, despite their very own studies condemning the U.S. for statistics that condemn those nations far more.

Further, many people - myself included, I'm not guiltfree here! - will cite the 'headline' of certain studies without ever reading the contents. You've heard the oft-touted '97% of scientists' headline, for example, but what did those scientists actually say that caused the person who wrote that study to say they 'agreed'? I recommend you look it up if this concerns you.

On the practical level:
-Yes, cleaner stuff is nicer. So-called 'renewables' like Solar and Wind power, however, are actually enormously more expensive (both monetarily and in terms of emissions) than modern coal technology, and both them and coal are leagues behind nuclear in terms of cleanliness and efficiency.





-Someone who vouches for renewables or cleaner sources of power may not be aware of the above, and truly just think "Well, wind is always there, so if we harness it, that's cleaner than burning something."
Similar line of thought for solar: I thought that way, too, but after seeing some of the manufacturing costs (again, for both monetary and emissions purposes, not to mention lung disease from metal decomposition), I can't vouch for these sources of power being used as replacements. They're far dirtier and less efficient behind the scenes, even if they look cleaner while active.
If someone disagrees with you on something, that's not grounds to attack them, but potentially to discuss the matter with them and bring up one thing they may not have considered. (don't bombard them with facts they're unaware of, but similarly you probably want to do more than just smile and nod).

A far-too-common response I've seen nowadays is to look at someone you disagree with (or who's simply ignorant on a matter - and let's face it, there's a lot every single one of us doesn't know!) and immediately designate them as 'hateful.' This is an incredibly toxic response, and something to be avoided.

-Trees are good. They're also not in danger, thankfully! The logging industry has been doing a fine job with replanting, and you can see the difference from space. Industry has to replant trees in order to get more trees, which in some cases results in a net gain, not a loss, from having 'big companies' roll in. I don't think in all cases, of course, but something to keep in mind!

Sources include NASA!




-At bottom, if someone truly wants to make cleaner energy: I say "go for it, but research it first to make sure you pick what's actually cleaner."
Nuclear power is where I'd point.
Yes, there have been tragedies with nuclear in the past. So it has been with all forms of electricity.
Comparing nuclear to other forms of power, just in terms of safety for the workers: more lives are lost to coal power plants than all nuclear power plant tragedies combined have caused.

The giant silos you see steam billowing form from at nuclear plants? That's actually steam: nuclear power runs using reactions to heat water to power turbines, and the primary exhaust is steam, leaving little-to-no smoke.

Nuclear has problems, yes. Every form of power does! The question is: what gives the best ratio of benefit to detriment? The answer, to me, always seems to be nuclear: and by a *long shot*.
Additionally, and perhaps somewhat exciting: the physical waste from nuclear is far easier to contain (and doesn't spill if stored properly) and has the potential to be re-enriched: something which isn't really being taken advantage of (for various reasons, I think: perhaps it's too expensive right now?), but a breakthrough there could suddenly turn a huge chunk of nuclear waste into something reusable. Either way, I don't think it wise to look at all nuclear waste as merely 'radioactive rot.'

====
Whew. Sorry, I've been taking notes on some 'politically-charged' topics, so wanted to share some of my thoughts. :P
And I'm far from perfect or an expert on this matter.

If there's at least one takeaway from my rant above, it's this: if you find a paper or article on a charged or important topic that seems insightful, make a note of it on your computer or phone or whatever. Store the link for reference later: you want to have the facts!

[GregChacon]

We should be more concerned about the climate change of our spirituality, that’s what I say. We better be white hot in zeal and not cold as ice. 🧊 🥶

[bornnaked]

Loved how distinctly pastor John suddenly got inspired and went from "I don't know" to a 10 minutes in depth super eloquent demonstration of the Spirit at work. The Word is brilliant... and *always* justified in righteousness with power.

[annemariefisher]

Thank you Pastor for another awesome video I listen every day. You are a man of great wisdom. Thank you Jesus for blessing you. We serve an awesome God. God bless you and your ministry❣️

[jeffreywp]

I was quite curious how Pastor John was going to answer this considering many Christians are so very afraid of appearing to support (supposed) leftist ideologies. As a vegan (who is also a Believer), I am often assumed to have leftist leanings. The idea of group approval (people-pleasing) is a big deal for both Believers and non-believers. It's a sinful tendency that many often overlook as a motivating factor in their personal identities. Creation care = bodily care is a brilliant analogy! The idea that neither the body nor the Earth are God but, rather, are precious gifts meant to glorify Him. Even the image of the body as our "little Earth" is a fine extension to that larger idea. I wish Pastor John had touched on the whole concept that dominion does NOT mean it's okay to ravage the planet for resources. (Recommended reading: Dominion by Matthew Scully) And, while I agree the Lord gave us our five senses for enjoying God's 'good' creation, the reality is that we have all been habituated to eating the way we do in 20th Century America, but it hasn't always been. Christians, sadly, are fatter and more unhealthy than any other time in history. While Pastor John doesn't address diet as related to planetary health, it certainly is an extension to bodily health and therefore relates real well to his analogies.

[michellee]

I really don’t understand why people think this fake when there’s scientific evidence 😕 I’m a Christian and I strive to be more eco friendly but it doesn’t change my faith whatsoever. I want future generations to not have a world filled with plastics and that plastic is in our foods too.

[WilliamBranhamsermons]

its word of God that is fulfilling in last days we have to up our heads and say Praise the lord amen

[hannahannabobana]

I'm here because I got into a discussion about a friend's concern about the environment and used it heavily to condemn me for my vote choice. Though I have not changed my mind or had any regrets as to who I voted, but it did get me thinking what our response as Christians should be with the growing concerns for the environment. The video AND the comments section has helped me a lot.

[maxaplin]

I think the analogy that John Piper gave of the earth and the human body is a good one. Our present bodies will one day be destroyed, but we are still under moral obligation to treat them well. Similarly, the present earth will one day be destroyed, but we are still under moral obligation to treat it well.
I think there is nothing in mainstream ideas about climate change that contradict the Christian faith, and that we should take this concern very seriously. But there is another reason we should do this too. For many non-believers, climate change is a big deal. When they see Christians who don't seem to care about something they care about, it can often put them (unnecessarily) off the Christian faith.
It is absolutely wrong to exalt climate concern to the level of a religion, as many do, but it is a valid concern that Christians should take very seriously.

[chiefmwankenja]

This has to be the most profound and enlightening message I have heard all year. so much clarity has been brought to me, being a follower of the way, working in the "climate action" space. I am so grateful to TMH for this wonderful wisdom. Be Blessed pastor.

[susanfowler]

Noah and the flood. God brought this about and ended it and promised He would not flood the earth again He created a 🌈 rainbow as an outward sign of this promise God is always in control Don't fear

[jesuschristbiblebiblestudy]

May God bless you and keep you.

Amen

[Lena.]

What climate change?

While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease. (Genesis 8:22)

[pmelby]

the focus should be on the pollution that’s rampant and the rollback of the laws that
were made to protect our environment..

[braedenh]

I like that he made it personal.
The arguments over climate change are never what is good and what is right for ME to do. It is always whether we should force OTHERS to do something, or not. This puts the focus back upon us, as an individual.
I don't believe a Christian should ever force - or be interested in forcing - a desired behavior from other adults.
We pray, we encourage, and we support. But mostly we focus on ourselves and our own walk with God.