In recent months I have been reading
with deep concern about the acceleration of anthropogenic (human-caused)
climate change. Many Christian
denominations, driven by their understanding of stewardship and care of creation,
are now turning their attention to what is happening to our planet. Some are engaged in advocacy to curb the human
activities which are rapidly changing the make-up of our atmosphere. Others are focused more on ministering with
those – many of them in poor, developing countries – who are most likely to
suffer from the effects of climate change.
Still others are participating in preparations, such as the Transition
Towns movement, which will assist communities in adapting to a changed world.
Opposed to these efforts, however,
are other Christian groups which not only deny the reality of climate change
but are also actively opposing any efforts to prepare communities or to make
the necessary alterations in our lives which may help to slow its acceleration
and mitigate its effects. In my reading,
then, I have been trying to understand the reasoning and the theology behind
these oppositional forces. There seems
to be a number of underlying causes involved.
