God and Climate Change

“Being compassionate means providing a fence at the top of the cliff, not just an ambulance at the bottom.” Fred Nile, Australian Christian politician.
 
I think Fred Nile is speaking about upholding God's ordained social order and moral law to protect us. If you believe in the Bible, it is hard to disagree. 

However, in the current crisis, we should apply this principle also to management of land and water resources. Massive amounts of water have been sacrificed to maximise export dollars, for example in coal mining. We need that water to produce food and fight fires.

Government priorities have been wrong in moral policy but also in land management policy. I avoid the word 'environment' because I am not a Green. We on the conservative Christian side need to do some serious rethinking.

The black and white climate debate obscures inescapable problems. 

Environmentalists focus on overuse of fossil fuels causing global warming. Conservatives say this is a pseudo-scientific hoax designed to undermine capitalism and bring in socialist world government.

But doesn’t the Bible predict environmental disasters in the last days?

And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven. Luke 21:11 (NKJV)

If greenhouse gas levels are a problem, why is the focus almost exclusively on use of fossil fuels?

• What about the intensive use of agricultural chemicals?

• What about the progressive degradation of agricultural soils and the dramatic decline in the nutritional content of food produced by modern methods?

Why is there so little discussion of the worldwide decimation of bees and other insects? We need bees to pollinate the plants we must have to survive.

The use of glyphosate-based herbicides worldwide dominates farming in many countries but this chemical is toxic to bees.

• In California, intensive production of almonds is sustained by using these herbicides and also by orchardists hiring bee swarms from beekeepers. Untold millions of these bees are dying but the practice continues.

What about the systematic poisoning of marine life with plastic waste and other chemical pollutants? 

Our current industrial and agricultural systems are not sustainable.

Look at the Middle East, mostly desert. Why? God’s judgement on the enemies of God’s people?
 
Maybe so. But God has also blessed the Persians and Arabs with untold wealth from oil. I am not God. We need to understand that we don't understand so many things.

But what about unsustainable agricultural practices over many centuries? Hard to deny.

However, the Jews in Israel have reversed this process. This is undoubtedly due in part to the blessing of God sending more rain. 

However, the Jews have also pioneered drip feed irrigation and strategic tree planting and no doubt other wise land and water management practices. Why are we just admiring them and not learning from them? Is that biblical?

Perhaps the environmentalists are right. We may be on a one way road to destruction.

Why should Christian conservatives resist this narrative? Why should we be committed to the status quo?

Does Bible prophecy encourage this mind set? Does Bible prophecy encourage us to expect never ending economic growth through deregulated capitalism?
I don’t think so.

Bible prophecy tells us that Jesus will return and set up the Kingdom of God in a time of horror.
On the other hand, there are Christian spiritual leaders with apparently genuine prophetic credentials who say God has raised up President Trump.

Maybe this is true. But that does not make all his policies right.

This world is on the road to destruction, how quickly or how soon, we cannot tell. Bible prophecy clearly teaches this.

If we are on the road to destruction, environmentalism, however sensible, will not save us.

Does this mean we should do nothing to improve environmental management?

The positive example of Israel is a good answer to this question.

The Green lobby focuses on a global approach to climate change. However, innovative land management practices in Israel and parts of Africa have shown that rainfall and climate can be positively influenced at a local or regional level.

This approach does not seem to be central to the agenda of either the Right or the Left in Australia and many other countries.

What we often see instead is a polarised debate which is leading us nowhere.

Your Assignment from God

Your life is a gift and also an assignment.

Imagine that God gives you a loving husband or wife. You must then learn to love. That's much more than being in love.

You're a woman, and you're praying for a baby. Your longing is fulfilled. Then you must learn to be a mother. It's not just biological reproduction. Fatherhood also needs to be learned.

Adam and Eve were given a great gift, life, with the nature of God himself.

So God created man in His own image; He created him in the image of God; He created them male and female.  Gen 1:27

With this amazing gift came a great assignment.

God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, and every creature that crawls on the earth.” Gen 1:28

The gift was a blessing and the assignment was also a blessing.

You can read this because have received the great gift of life. You are alive.

God appointed the man and the woman to rule the world together. They should do this as a partnership. 

Some people do not want to understand this because their thinking is dominated by hierarchy, men ruling over women, leaders ruling over church members.

But there is an even sadder error in thinking that has ruined humanity. Men want to rule the world without recognising God, without understanding this responsibility as a gift of God.

In the beginning God did not say that men should dominate women. He also did not say that men should rule over other people.

On the contrary. Men and women together were appointed to govern the earth. 

In the New Testament Jesus trained his apostles as a team. He sent out his disciples two by two. 

Jesus also recognised women his disciples.

But He replied to the one who told Him, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers?”
And stretching out His hand toward His disciples, He said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! Mt 12:48-49 (HCSB)

Men and women were called to rule the world, but they needed a small beginning.

And the LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to cultivate and preserve it. Gen 2:15

When God gave you your life, you were very small. You were supposed to receive love and care, to learn and grow. It is a tragedy that many small children do not receive healthy love.

Adam and Eve had the great blessing of being loved and taught by God Himself. Tragically, they rejected this blessing, because they wanted to go their own way, instead of developing their life and mission with God's fatherly love.

God gave Adam and Eve the gift of life, but not a life as orphans, but a life as his beloved children, a life with his care and friendship.

Life with God included the assignment to rule the world with God, as God's children and co-workers, all within the framework of love and partnership.

After Adam’s fall, people were like orphans in the world. Most no longer knew God's friendship and fatherly love.

Do you know God's friendship and fatherly love?

“For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (HCSB)

 

Adam and Eve had life from God and with God. God is eternal. Life with God is eternal.

God wants to give you the same gift that Adam and Eve had in the beginning, not only never ending life, but life with God, eternal love and fulfilment.

What should this life look like? Just a respectable moral life in a church?  This is the holy highway of the Gospel, but rather a parking lot.

Jesus calls us to an adventure to live as He lived on earth.

Jesus had a mission to save the world.
Jesus calls you and me to participate in His mission.

Are women to be only personal assistants? The first witness to declare the resurrection was Mary Magdalene.

What is your personal assignment from God?

Should Women Preach and Teach Men?

Timothy was the leader who oversaw the churches in Ephesus. He had problems with certain women who were arrogant and domineering. In his letter Paul discussed how Timothy should deal with this problem.

I do not allow a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; instead, she is to remain quiet. 1 Tim 2:12 CSB17

There is no other verse in the whole Bible that forbids women to teach or reprove a man.

The word ''allow'' here is a translation from EPITREPEO. This word is found several times in the New Testament, but it does not indicate a law or commandment of God.

Here are some examples.

Another follower said to him, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father."  Mt 8:21 NIRV

Another said, "I will follow you, Lord, but first let me go and say good-bye to those at my house." Lk 9:61 CSB17

After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took the body of Jesus. Jn 19:38 NKJ

But Paul said, "I am a Jew from Tarsus, in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city; and I implore you, permit me to speak to the people." Acts 21:39 NKJ

If PERMITTED or FORBIDDEN is referring to a law or commandment of God, we find another word in the original Greek text.
EXESTI:

There he saw a man who had a shriveled hand, and in order to accuse him they asked him, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?" Mt 12:10 CSB17

And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to Him, "Look, Your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath!" Mt 12:2 NKJ

Then Pilate said to them, "You take Him and judge Him according to your law." Therefore the Jews said to him, "It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death," Jn 18:31 NKJ

The difference between EPITREPEO and EXESTI is dramatic and very important.

When a teacher allows a student to go to the toilet during a lesson, that is EPITREPEO: (I do not allow the woman to teach or to rule over the man...)

If a man is not allowed to marry his sister because it is against the law, then the Greek word EXESTI would be used.

Smith Wigglesworth was an English evangelist. Through his ministry countless people came to faith in Jesus and many were healed.

He was a boy from a poor family, and he had to work from an early age. He never went to school and his wife taught him to read. It was only through his wife’s teaching that he was able to read the bible.

His wife was also a preacher who brought many souls into God's Kingdom.

The mighty house church movement in China is terribly persecuted, but the Christians are not going under. Many pastors are arrested and tortured, but when a male leader is taken away, often a woman takes over the leadership.

More than 75% of the pastors in this movement are now women, and God is multiplying His people.

The first man with God in the garden was Adam the man. The first man with Jesus in the garden after the resurrection was Mary Magdalene, a woman with a past but chosen to proclaim a new beginning for the human race.

When Mary Magdalene announced to the apostles that Jesus had risen, they did not believe.

Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. Mk 16:14 NKJ

Saved though Bearinng Children??

But women will be saved through childbearing--if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety. 1 Timothy 2:15 (NIV)

Does this mean that women can only be saved if they bear children?

God forbid! Then all virgins would be damned!

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- 

not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)

Or should we believe, as some people apparently think, that women have no ministry other bringing up children?

That is easy to prove wrong.

There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage,

and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped night and day, fasting and praying. Luke 2:36-37 (NIV)

So what has salvation to do with having babies?

Nevertheless, she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control. 1 Timothy 2:15 (NKJV)

In our time in western countries, childbirth is not as dangerous as in poor countries or in former times. In bible days, many women died giving birth.

In the original Greek text we see the word SOZO.

In the New Testament this word refers to salvation from God's judgement, but also being saved from death or being delivered from sickness.

And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins." Matthew 1:21 (NKJV)

The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!" Matthew 8:25 (NIV)

Jesus turned and saw her. "Take heart, daughter," he said, "your faith has healed you." And the woman was healed from that moment. Matthew 9:22 (NIV)

Paul wants to encourage women to expect deliverance from trauma and death in childbirth.

Jesus and the World Religions.

Only in the Bible will you find an almighty God who loves you from the heart.

And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. 1 John 4:16 (NIV)

The God in the Qur'an is the creator and judge, but in the Islamic scriptures there is no Father God.
 

And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it.
For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. Lk 12:29-30 (NIV)

Only in the Bible do you find an almighty God who loves absolutely every human being.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NIV)

This is good, and it pleases God our Saviour,
who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 1 Tim 2:3-4 CSB17 

 

Only in the Bible do you find an almighty God who loves his enemies.

Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing." And they divided his clothes and cast lots. Lk 23:34 CSB17

This is how Jesus prayed when he was dying in agony on the cross.

For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, then how much more, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life. Rom 5:10 CSB17

Only in the Bible do we find an eternal almighty Father God, who sacrifices his eternal Son to pay for all our sins so that we can have eternal life through repentance and faith.

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Rom 6:23 CSB17

Loving Humility, Not Cruel Humiliation

Paul describes himself as a slave but also as an apostle.

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God-- Romans 1:1 (NIV)
He had surrendered his life completely to the will of God, subordinating himself like a slave, but God had entrusted him with a high office. 

God wants us to humble ourselves before Him, but not because He wants to humiliate us. If you are always putting yourself down, you don’t understand God's love.

If your family, your boss or your church leader keeps putting you down, it is not from God.


I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. 
Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. Jn 15:15 (NIV)

 
In many English translations we read the word SERVANT but in the original Greek text the word is DOULOS, which means SLAVE.

If you dedicate yourself to God’s will fully, like a faithful and willing slave, but love and trust God like a beloved son or daughter, Jesus will embrace you and treasure you as a dear friend.

Leaders Must Encourage Initiative

It was Easter Sunday and the large church was filled. Suddenly a man dramatically stood up, stopped breathing and collapsed. The pastors did nothing. But a young man instantly came to the rescue. He had been trained as a paramedic, and he took the initiative.

The young paramedic quickly and expertly performed the necessary first aide. Six men carried the stricken man to the back of the church. 

A doctor from the congregation came and helped the young paramedic while they waited for the ambulance.

What happened?

In an emergency, the large leadership team and staff of the church were slow to react and therefore ineffective. The real leader was the young man who simply reacted to the need at hand. He did not wait for authorisation, but he took the initiative.

This story comes from an excellent book by Max DePree. “Leadership is an Art.” The author calls the spontaneous initiative of the young paramedic “Roving Leadership”.

The church also had hierarchical leadership. 

Hierarchical leaders must encourage and make room for initiative. Roving leaders must be celebrated. In fact, many hierarchical leaders frown on initiative. They micromanage their organisations and do not allow roving leadership to function at all.

In the New Testament, we see how believers took major initiatives as they were led by the Holy Spirit. 

 

Now those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen travelled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, telling the message only to Jews. 

Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus.  Acts 11:19-20 (NIV)
 

These unnamed believers took a new initiative. They made disciples of non Jews and planted the first non-Jewish church. 

 

They were not appointed by the church leaders in Jerusalem. They just did what Jesus had said and as the Holy Spirit led them.

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Mt 28:19 (NIV)

This new church was planted in Antioch. When the apostles in Jerusalem heard about it, they sent Barnabas to check on the new mission.

When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. Acts 11:23 (NIV) 

Leaders need to be careful. When something new happens, check it out. Not everything new is from God. 

On the other hand, we need to be ready for surprises. If we look at the ministry of Jesus in the Gospels, we see Him healing blind men in strange ways. In one case, He makes mud by spitting in dirt and anointing the man’s eyes. In another case, He spits in the man’s eyes.

If we demand all ministry to follow conventional procedures, we will restrict the moving of the Holy Spirit.

The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit." John 3:8 (NIV)