Climate Change in Context – 1. Getting the “Atmosphere” Right

This weekend, youth from 150 countries were so concerned about the global threat of climate change that they left their classrooms and took to the streets to urge world leaders to act.  As a science educator, I encouraged student involvement in learning.  So, I commend these students for their initiative, but I wonder if they are knowledgeable enough to preach to adults, many of whom lack consensus on whether or how much humans are responsible for climate change.

I am often asked, “Do you believe in ‘climate change?’” or, “Do you think humans can stop climate change?” or, “What do you think about “climate change?” 

The first two questions are easy.  My answers are, “Yes” and “No,” respectively.  Yes, according to science, climate change has been occurring for as far back as we have records or can extrapolate.  Geologic evidence suggests quite a few sudden, major, catastrophic changes in both the atmosphere and landscape of Earth—the kind of catastrophic events that can bury and preserve animals and plants within rocks or polar ice.  Because climate change has been occurring since long before human impacts on the Earth were significant, it is doubtful that we can stop climate change now.  If we could, what climatic conditions would we prefer for each latitude and biome?  Would we eliminate deserts?  Expand rain forests?

My answer to the third question, “I don’t always know what to think,” reflects my attempt to approach scientific issues with humility and healthy skepticism.  Therefore, I want to use this first of a series of articles on “Climate Change in Context” to emphasize the importance of two virtues that seem necessary in our discussion of global scale issues like climate change-- civility and humility.  If we want to make any headway on climate change or any other issue, there must be an “atmosphere” of civility and humility.

We can easily fill the atmosphere of our discussions with “hot air” and accomplish little else when we lack civility. Polite communication must underly every discussion, and this means both listening and speaking politely with one another.  The Apostle James wrote, Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry (James 1:19).  Perfect advice, isn’t it?  However, notice in the verses just before v. 19, James urges readers to humble themselves, recognize their proneness toward pride and selfishness, and their need to seek wisdom that comes from a gracious God.

David Rupert’s article in Patheos entitled “What the Bible Says about Civility” has numerous Scriptures encouraging civility through a spirit of humility, kindness, and self-control.  These are fruit of the indwelling Spirit of God (Galatians 5: 22-23) which ought to enable Christ-followers to be examples and to be winsome contributors to discussions of controversial issues (1 Peter 3: 15).

Rupert quotes Jim Brown, author of Ending our Uncivil War: A Path to Political Recovery and Spiritual Renewal who said,

We’re in a Binary Age, where nuance is rare, complexity is verboten and sharp political battle lines are drawn. Churchgoers on both sides of our national mess are reluctant to turn a cheek, fine with abandoning the least of our brothers or condemning anyone who is wealthy, and adamantly opposed to loving their enemy. In fact, some want blood. They want Barabbas.

Those who purpose to engage in conversation, debate, and social media messaging with civility and humility can create an atmosphere in which contention can give way to understanding of one another’s differing motives and perspectives.   Polite humility is essential when discussing the nuances of complex scientific data and differing interpretations.  For example, read the following pairs of “climate change claims” and consider how you might participate in polite dialog in an effort to understand them:

Notice that neither claim denies that increased global temperatures have been measured..  But the two claims disagree as to which is the cause and which is the effect.  If increasing global CO₂ is the result and not the cause of changes in global temperatures, then climate science needs to objectively tell us like it is lest our policy proposals miss the mark.  As we will see later, Allan M.R. MacRae supports Scientific Claim #2 in “CO₂, Global Warming, Climate, and Energy.”

Humility among scientists and reviewers of research manuscripts is essential if we are to avoid ethics violations.  I have written in “The Conscience of Science” of the many incidents in which scientists reportedly falsify data, suppress or hide contradictory results, or refuse to review research that may favor an opposing claim.  So, it is important that our electorate be educated not only in the science of global ecology and climate science, but that we learn to be discerning of the political motivations and forces that take opposing sides in the debate about climate change. 

First, are policies being grounded on the basis of “good science” and correct conclusions about climate trends?  Second, are proposed solutions properly targeted to solve the environmental problem, or are they aimed instead at simply justifying the concentration of more power in Washington, DC as part of a social experiment? 

Clearly, we can see that “climate change” has a context—one that demands of all Americans our best efforts based on high moral and ethical standards of conduct in both the sciences and in politics.  For this, I will suggest that we need fewer street marches and more classrooms that teach at least the historical importance of the foundation provided by our Judeo-Christian heritage.

In particular, a good atmosphere for dealing with climate change will demand that we understand and apply the biblical narrative of Genesis 1 and 2 which we will consider in Part 2.  We can only wonder sadly as how many of the estimated 4 million people who marched this weekend for climate change have any knowledge or understanding of how important Judeo-Christian ethics have been to the foundation of human civilization. 

As I watched a Swedish schoolgirl, Greta Thunberg, likely not familiar with the biblical narrative, spawn a global movement, I am reminded to exercise humility and restraint lest I jump to conclusions about her qualifications to lead.  In this regard, I conclude with another quote from Jim Brown by David Rupert, as a prescription that may go far toward improving the “atmosphere” of our classrooms, conference rooms, and even the street marches for climate change:

The path to political recovery and spiritual renewal requires work.  We can turn the cheek, but not be weak.  We can lift up the least among us, as uncorrupted religions teach, while we respect and improve our laws.  We can love our enemies deeply – “agape,” as the Greeks, Christ, and Dr. King encouraged.

But David Rupert wonders, “Are we too far gone?”

Where Does the Power Come From? Part 2

Where does the power come from to see the race to its end?  In Part 1 of this blog, we featured three men who each had different answers to this question.  Eric Liddell who received a Gold Medal in track in the 1922 Olympics found power and joy through his faith in God.  In contrast, Liddell's Olympic teammate, Harold Abrahams, sought athletic success through relentless effort and professional coaching to maximize his running technique.  Both men aimed to be winners, but Eric Liddell was blessed with both the athletic ability to run fast and the spiritual presence of the Living Christ within his soul.  This “power from within” motivated Eric and guided him not only in his sport but in other areas of his life.  Sadly, because Harold Abrahams lacked this power, purpose, and identity, he was self-centered and frustrated.

The third man we recognized in Part 1 was Ian Charleson, the actor who portrayed Eric Liddell in the academy award-winning movie, Chariots of Fire.  Charleson’s excellence in portraying a great man of faith was a major reason for the movie’s success.  To “become” Eric Liddell, Charleson studied both Liddell and the Bible in an effort to answer the question, “What makes a Christian man ‘tick?’” Charleson’s excellent portrayal demonstrates how one can “act like a person of faith” without actually being a believer.

We can only hope that somewhere in his short life, Charleson invited Christ to be his Savior and Lord.  Each one of us must decide what we will do with the invitation God extends to us (Revelation 3: 20).  Until we “open the door” of our life, invite Christ to give us the gift of a “new birth” in His Spirit (Romans 6), we are not even “in the race.”  Indeed, God’s Word says without Christ, we are spiritually dead (Ephesians 2: 1-9)!

Power Within
How did Eric Liddell obtain this power from within “to see the race to its end?”  Of course, any athlete who goes out for a sport must submit to the discipline and “playbook” of a coach.  Even if he or she has great innate ability, an athlete must steward that ability through rigorous practices and physical conditioning, proper nutrition, and regular rest in order to perform well in competition.

By analogy, Eric Liddell’s spiritual “power from within” came from his stewardship of God’s love and grace.  His stewardship consisted of a willing submission to God through regular reading and study of God’s “playbook,” the Bible, through prayer communication with God, and through serving others. 

The evidence that a person has been spiritually “born again” through repentance and faith is a “turning from the old life” (Romans 8: 12-14) and “turning to God,” finding joy in communing with God through His Word and prayer (Romans 8: 15-17; Colossians 3: 1-4).  The indwelling Holy Spirit who takes up residence in our lives when we are “born again” stirs up an insatiable hunger for God’s Word and prayer-communion with God (Romans 8: 15-17; Colossians 3: 1-4).  The Apostle Peter, in 1 Peter 2: 2-3, exhorts new Christians, like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.  The Prophet Jeremiah writes, When I discovered your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O LORD God of Heaven’s Armies (Jeremiah 15: 16).

Power within also develops through a commitment to fellowship, worship, and service with fellow believers (1 John 3: 14; Hebrews 10: 2; Colossians 3: 12-17).  And all of this creates another hunger—the hunger to share the joy of knowing Christ with others so that, as John exclaims, our joy may be made complete (1 John 1: 1-4).

Power from God’s Word
Eric Liddell was able to run and finish his race with victory because he had prepared using both physical and spiritual disciplines.  His “power within” came from his integration of these two dimensions as is expressed in the now-famous quote (emphasis mine):  I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast. And when I run, I feel His pleasure.  The power within us becomes evident when God’s Spirit and His Word open our spiritual eyes to understand where we came from, who we are in Christ, why we exist, and where we are headed.  Like Eric Liddell, when we practice the spiritual disciplines, God empowers us with purpose, identity, and hope.

Interestingly, another movie recently showing in theaters illustrates how the message of God’s Word gives us inner purpose, identity, and hope.  Overcomer is the story of Hannah who begins her high school cross country season with many odds against her.  She has no family except her somewhat embittered grandmother with whom she lives.  Hannah’s coach is neither experienced nor enthusiastic, and no other girls have come out for the team.  On top of that, Hannah has asthma. 

Weak as she is physically and spiritually, Hannah gradually finds her true identity through the love of Christ she discovers in His Word and through the kindness of friends.  The message from the Word transforms Hannah’s life and gives her a new sense of value and identity in Christ.  This realization prepares Hannah for other challenges and gives her the power within to “see her race to its end.”  Excellent movie—I highly recommend it.

Need Help ‘Feeding’ on the Word?
How about you? Have you invited Christ to come into your life, and to give you purpose and power for living?  If so, you can be like the blessed man (or woman) in Psalm 1 who delights in the law of the Lord.  But, maybe need some help getting into the Word—and getting the Word into you.  If so, I recommend two excellent messages on YouTube by our Senior Pastor at West Hill Baptist Church, Pastor Zach Swift.  Whether you are a mature Christian or a “baby Christian,” or a tired and discouraged Christian, or a skeptic of the whole notion of the Bible as God’s message for all people, these messages are worth hearing.  Pastor Zach preaches with passion and authority, yet with humility and compassion.  He invites us to listen, read, and consider how God’s Word can make a difference in your life.

His Part 1 of this August series is called “Foundations:  Give It a Chance.”  Here, Pastor Swift explains how regular reading and study of God’s Word is the necessary “Foundation” for right living.  He explains that God’s Word is “living and active.”  Long before the Bible came into being, God’s Word was at work.  All of God’s revelation in the Scripture is inspired (God-breathed) …and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3: 16).   Part 1 is a very practical and stimulating message on how to come to know Christ (if you are not a Christian) and to build a “Foundation” of faith by feeding your spiritual hunger within?

In Part 2 called “Foundations:  Find a Way,” Pastor Swift gives practical challenges and instruction in how to dive into the Scriptures and find encouragement and answer to life’s questions.  He asks, “If God’s Word is food, then who is feeding you?”  “How would your life look differently if you were growing spiritually?”  “How can you learn to read and study Scripture daily?” This message is full of very practical “How two’s” that will encourage you to love God’s Word and make it and the God of the Bible a daily part of your life.  

Two Other Resources:  
Accompanying Pastor Swift's message, "Foundations:  Find a Way," is a “14-day Scripture Reading Program” (see below, click to enlarge).  For those who don't already have a plan, he offers this plan to assist in the discipline of daily reading and study of God's Word.  Check it out.  Where will your power come from to see your race to its end?

You may be surprised how much you don't know about the Bible.  It is very different from the impressions that many people have acquired without having actually read it.  Check out Not What You Think, a book by Michael and Lauren McAfee.  2019. Zondervan.