Why Should Christians Be Concerned About Global Climate Change?

As confessional Christians within the Reformed tradition, we believe God's dominion extends over all aspects of creation and that he has endowed humankind with the responsibility to care for this creation which he deeply loves and daily sustains. We believe God created all things good and through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, has provided the means for all things to be reconciled to him, the culmination of which will occur with Christ's second coming. Human beings are gratefully included in this wonderful plan of redemption and are expected to work out their faith in joyful expectation of God's coming kingdom of shalom. We recognize that our relationship with the creation has been detrimentally affected by the fall. Our short-sightedness and greed have stretched the earth's capacity for equitably supporting all of its members. Because of our responsibility to be wise stewards, we must find ways to undo the degradation we have caused and learn to live in a way that better honors the creator whom we love and serve.

Global climate change, induced in large part by human activity, is perhaps the most daunting ecological crisis to confront our planet. Standing idly by and allowing this to happen is morally inexcusable for those who profess their love in the God who cares deeply for all he has created. Responding to this challenge gives evidence of our faith commitment both to the non-human creatures with whom we share this planet, but also to our human brothers and sisters around the world whose welfare is most threatened by the changes that have already begun. Unfortunately, these most vulnerable neighbors are disproportionately the poor and powerless among us, those we are specifically implored by Christ to help.

Working to slow global climate change in no way involves compromising our Christian convictions. Instead, by using the gifts he has endowed us with - gifts of creativity, technology, restraint and others – we can give clear expression that we serve a God of hope who desires prosperity and shalom for his creation. Such a response may, at times, require stretching ourselves uncomfortably away from preset behavioral patterns of self-indulgence and will likely necessitate improved efforts of self-control. Yet, such ideals should not be new concepts for us, since from the beginning God has called upon his people to set aside their own interests for the sake of others, as is so perfectly modeled in our servant king, Jesus Christ. Only with God’s help and the cooperative participation of all people, Christian and non-Christian alike, can we hope to make the wise choices that will lead us in the direction of a God-glorifying sustainable future.

The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.

Genesis 2:15

See, I have taught you decrees and laws as the LORD my God commanded me, so that you may follow them in the land you are entering to take possession of it. Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, "Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people."

Deuteronomy 4:5, 6

Interested in more information about Christians and the environment? Check out these resources:

• Serve God, Save the Planet: A Christian Call to Action by J. Matthew Sleeth, MD
  
• For the Beauty of the Earth: A Christian Vision for Creation Care by Steven Bouma-Prediger
  
• Climate Change: An Evangelical Call to Action. A statement by the Evangelical Climate Initiative signed by our President, Gaylen Byker.
• Creation Care at Calvin
  • Statement on Sustainablity: Environmental Stewardship Committee
• External Resources from the Calvin Environmental Assessment Program (CEAP)

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