I call on SBC evangelical leaders who have been fervently making the case for the church to become more involved in “creation care” to step forward with a new and reasoned response to this debate. The alarmists have owned the issue for too long. Too many evangelical leaders have rightly trumpeted the need for creation care but have used the same type of alarmism and questionable science to make their cases.
I specifically ask that Jonathan Merritt, Frank Page and Johnny Hunt (along with the other signatories of the SBC Statement on the Environment and Climate) immediately come together and draft a new and cohesive statement for creation care that not only makes a biblical case for creation care, but also adequately address the alarmism and questionable science that has been used to further personal and political agendas.
It is time for the church to stop “taking the experts’ word for it” and to seek out the finest Christian scientific minds and charge them with analyzing all of the arguments and data that are available. Bathed in prayer and guided by the Holy Spirit, they must produce a new document that speaks to the average layman’s political fears and suspicions that are attached to creation care (including the “tree hugger” stigma). The document should include a presentation of the best possible data, explained in laymen terms, and should offer a suitable local church implementation plan that focuses on missional and immediate impact activities.
Evangelical Christians have not been moved to action in larger numbers because there have not been sufficient answers provided. Although there has been more activity and mobilization within progressive and mainline denominations, there has not been sufficient effort within the more conservative groups of evangelicals. I beg our “cutting edge” members of the body to not leave your more cautious family members behind. If strong, patient and clear communication is offered to these brothers and sisters, they will be inspired to respond in greater numbers.
“?’Present your case,’ says the Lord. ‘Set forth your arguments,’ says Jacob’s King” (Isaiah 41:21).
We are here, and we are waiting.
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