SBC Climate Controversy
March 24th, 2008
The Southern Baptist Convention has received a good deal of media attention over a recent statement released by 25-year-old seminary student, Jonathan Merritt, entitled “A Southern Baptist Declaration on the Environment and Climate Change.” Over the past couple of weeks this document has stirred up a firestorm of controversy within the SBC that has risen to a level that in my mind is both distracting and unnecessary. It should be noted that the document is not an official statement of the Southern Baptist Convention nor is it in any way endorsed by them despite a signature list of over 200 names, including a number of high-profile Southern Baptist leaders. Among the listed names are James Merritt, Jonathan’s father and a former president of the SBC, Frank Page, the current SBC president, and Jack Graham, also a past president of the SBC.
Now I recognize that I am arriving somewhat late to the party on this issue. I would like to have commented on it sooner. One reason I haven’t is because it’s Easter. I’m a music guy. Do the math. More importantly, though, I’ve needed time to digest the matter for myself in order to arrive at a reasonably informed conclusion. So here’s my best shot.
Initially let me say that I do think the parties involved seem at least to have their hearts in the right place. I may not totally agree with their position, but I don’t at all believe they are deserving of the harsh rhetoric and name calling that they’ve been receiving from opponents of the initiative. I seriously don’t believe they are a part of any kind of “left wing, liberal agenda on global warming.” According to Jonathan Merritt, the purpose for this document was “to call people to begin participating in the conversations.” I for one am willing to take him at his word. So let’s participate, shall we?
David Hankins, executive director of the Louisiana Baptist Convention gives a great explanation as to why he feels the initiative is misguided, one in which I totally agree:
First, the fundamental assumption of the declaration is predicated on a seriously flawed understanding of the debate regarding climate change. It affirms the view that human-induced, catastrophic global warming is an undeniable fact. There is no “general agreement” in the scientific community on any facet of this subject. There is evidence of growing dissatisfaction in the scientific community with the claims that global warming 1) is caused by human factors; 2) has any alarming consequences; 3) can be altered by a change in human behavior; and 4) should provoke the kind of draconian economic and political actions being currently proposed by many environmental activists.
Second, the declaration gives little evidence of serious interaction with even the most basic arguments on the other side of the debate. For example, the declaration did not appear to take into account any of the analyses produced by the Cornwall Alliance (www.CornwallAlliance.org) — a coalition of scholars and religious leaders that has addressed the flawed positions of the “Evangelical Climate Initiative” which preceded the most recent declaration and which meandered down the same errant paths.
If global warming is a catastrophic danger caused by destructive human behavior, then everyone, especially godly people, ought to act to correct it. If, however, global warming is only a naturally occurring weather pattern which has been blown out of proportion by politically motivated partisans misconstruing the data, then it is irresponsible to call for actions that will actually harm, not help. If the latter, this new declaration actually evinces the “reckless and ill-informed” behavior it worries Southern Baptists may be exhibiting.
Hankins cuts to the heart of the matter of why some feel it’s necessary for Southern Baptist to be less “timid” about environmental issues. It boils down to “the concern that we are perceived as uncaring among those who are anxious about catastrophic climate change.” Hankins likens it to the belief among some that the church is mean to homosexuals.
Are we “mean”? Or could it be that the church believes homosexual behavior is sinful and, when it has addressed this highly volatile subject, it has said so? Until we say homosexual behavior is acceptable, we will not be considered by the culture to be “caring.” “Caring” means affirming their point of view, including their error.
And the same is true of the global warming issue. Southern Baptist have repeatedly affirmed the biblical mandate for Christians to be good stewards of God’s creation. Look no further then the 2007 SBC Resolution On Global Warming. The point is this. It isn’t necessary to embrace error just so it can be said of us that we care. All that is necessary is that we remain faithful to the truth and that we speak it in love (Ephesians 4:15).