Global Warming

In the liberal views of Global Warming, Christians are often attacked for not caring about the planet they live on, well we have a very different view on this. I think this article from the Ohio Apostolic News gives a very good view to our side of the story.


GLOBAL WARMING
BRIAN HOLLAWAY



In recent months, the news has been filled with the discussion of “Global Warming.” “Global Warming” is a phrase that describes the conclusion of a significant number of scientists who have interpreted a recent upswing in the earth’s average surface temperatures as an indication that increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has produced a “greenhouse” effect. The long term effects of such a greenhouse effect is variously reported to include increased ocean levels that would swallow low-lying cities, increased cataclysmic weather events such as hurricanes, and structural changes to the climate of many parts of the earth. As Christians who love truth, Oneness Pentecostals should have no qualms with the science of observable changes to the world’s climate. If our climate is truly changing due to human activity, it is not unreasonable to attempt to avoid the possible destruction that climate change could produce. However, the priorities of those who would attempt to preserve the earth’s present condition seem to be in stark contrast to the Biblical description of the inevitable destruction of the earth during the end times. For example, Peter preached on the day of Pentecost that the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood at some point in the future, and the Apostle John, in the book of Revelation, points out the various judgments of God that will be poured out upon the inhabitants of the earth before the present earth passes away. Furthermore, Peter’s second epistle tells us that the earth will melt with fervent heat, and Jesus himself mentioned that heaven and earth will pass away, yet the Word of God will never perish. In fact, one of the brightest hopes of the Christian walk is the promise that our life will be preserved beyond our time on earth. Paul the Apostle told the Thessalonians that, in the last days, the saints who are still on the earth will be taken off of the earth to meet the Lord and to be with Him in heaven for the rest of eternity. Instead of proposing a plan to save the earth, the Bible implores us to plan to save ourselves from a world that will not exist forever. The problem, then, with the “Global Warming” movement is that it has moved beyond the realm of science and into a crusade to preserve our earthly environment. To “save the earth” has now become a religion, where “unbelievers” are mocked for their “immorality” concerning their inattention to the dire effects of “Global Warming.” The underlying assumption is a
humanistic teaching that humankind can avoid any and all impending danger without regard for God.
The Biblical record, on the other hand, seems to imply that future judgment is inevitable, and therefore our highest priority should be to make our relationship with God whole. Efforts to save the earth, while often well intentioned, should not be allowed to rise above the Church’s number one priority: to prepare ourselves and the rest of humanity for eternity. If anything, the Church’s response to “Global Warming” should be to redouble our efforts to alarm the world of impending judgment. In fact, since every person’s time on earth is limited, let our prayers include a petition that a “Global Warming” to the
Spirit of God would develop in these last days in a great spirit of revival!
Brian Hollaway holds a Master’s Degree of Theological Studies from the Urshan Graduate School of Theology, and serves
as Assistant Pastor at the First Apostolic Church of Dublin (pastor Richard Collins.)