The following questions are sometimes asked about global warming:
- Is it a man-made or God-made phenomenon?
- Is it a true sign of the times, since it was not prophesied in the Bible?
Man-made or God-made?
A United Nations report, issued in February 2007, says that the current global warming crisis is “very likely” the result of human activities. The scientific authors of the report defined “very likely” as between 90 and 99 percent probable. The report said global warming is the result of large amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases being released into the atmosphere from the burning of fossil fuels.
Science also tells us that there have been prior periods of global warming that were the result of natural climate changes, and unrelated to man’s activities. The end of the last ice age, which (supposedly) occurred about 10,000 years ago, is one such period.
Regardless of how we view science and the natural history of the earth, God’s hand in the current crisis cannot be overlooked. Since the world has rejected Him, the Bible says God has “given them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient” (Rom. 1:28). Quite probably God has allowed this condition to develop, through man’s self-centered and evil pursuits, as a further demonstration that, without him, there is no hope for the world.
Sign of the times?
The signs of the times that Jesus prophesied would occur prior to his return include wars, famines, diseases and earthquakes (Matt. 24:7). While none of these events is new, the increasing numbers and/or scale of them, in these last days, is evident to all believers.
Although Jesus did not mention global warming directly, there are strong links between it and the four signs, which further points to God’s involvement in the crisis:
- Politicians predict that future wars will be fought over water, which will become increasingly scarce as glaciers dry up from global warming.
- Future famines are likely to occur from global warming, due to expanding deserts and lack of irrigation water.
- Diseases are also predicted to increase from global warming, through the spreading of flies, mosquitoes and other germ-carrying life forms.
- Future earthquakes and global warming are linked through a process called isostatic rebound, which occurs when glaciers melt and the massive weight of the ice on the earth’s crust is reduced. This process can reactivate faults, increase seismic activity, and lift pressure on magma chambers that feed volcanoes.
Accordingly, global warming can be perceived, more correctly perhaps, to be a catalyst that is contributing to the signs of the times and latter day events.
Science and the Bible
The United Nations report also concluded that global warming has become “an unstoppable, runaway train”. It is unusual for science to provide such a doomsday scenario, and to reach conclusions that are in harmony (albeit imperfectly) with the Bible’s predictions of a coming “time of trouble such as never was” (Dan. 12:1). It reflects man’s growing helplessness in the face of rapidly deteriorating world conditions. Until now, scientists have been generally optimistic that environmental and other problems could be resolved.
When Noah was building the ark, his “hammer” was God’s warning to the world of impending destruction, and also pointed the way to salvation. In these times, global warming may be the “hammer”. It could be one of the most powerful preaching tools we presently have. Global warming will be resolved, but not by man’s efforts. The resolution awaits the return of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Martin Owen (San Diego County, CA)
RR’s preface to Bible Companion
Attached is an excerpt from the “original” preface to Bro. Robert Roberts’ Bible reading tables. I wish you had published this in your issue on important Christadelphian writings instead of the sterilized version that most of are used to reading.
As much as one loves the style, the preface carries overtones of self-reliance and ritual reading. One could think, “If I just adhere to the daily readings, some day I’ll be spiritual and I’ll be in the Kingdom.”
Salvation depends on developing faith in the living God, and certainly Bible reading — and understanding, and application — is a major necessity in this process, but it also involves living, learning, praying, serving, etc., to develop a real faith in God and His living Son, Jesus Christ.
David Levin (Baltimore, MD)
“Salvation depends on the assimilation of the mind to the divine ideas, principles, and affections, exhibited in the Scriptures… The mind is naturally alien from God and all His ideas (Rom. viii. 7; I Cor. ii. 14), and cannot be brought at once to the Divine Likeness… Spiritual-mindedness, or a state of mind in accordance with the mind of the Spirit as displayed in these writings, can only grow within a man by daily intercourse with this mind, as there unfolded. Apart from this, the mind will return to its original swinishness. The advice then, for every man and woman anxious about their salvation, is — READ THE SCRIPTURES DAILY…
Much spiritual fructification is only to be realized in connection with fructifying influences of the Spirit in the Word.
“…By a strict adherence to this plan, from year to year, the reader will reap much profit, and find himself or herself gradually losing the insipidity of the natural mind, and taking on the warm and exalted tone of the Spirit’s teaching, which qualifies for the inheritance of the Saints in light.”
*****
Ah, the sad lot of the editor! Reprimanded for what he puts in, and also for what he leaves out! But of course you are right: it is never enough just to read the Bible — although there is really no other place to start in the journey of spiritual development! For that journey must also lead to faith, and to the application of faith in one’s daily life.
Your point is Bro. Green’s also, in the previous installment of “Rightly Dividing the Word” (March-April issue). There he points out in John 5 that the Pharisees were adept at “searching the Scriptures”, but they were not led by their studies to the recognition of Jesus for who he was — and thus their reading was to no avail.
George
Christadelphian books
Dear brother George,
I read with interest your selection of the “best and most profitable Christadelphian books” and heartily agree with your choice. Two of my favourites are The Ways of Providence, by Bro. Robert Roberts, and Studies in the Gospels, by Harry Whittaker. The former was presented to me at my baptism 45 years ago, and it still thrills me to consider the ways in which God works in our lives. When we are doing the readings from the Gospel chapters, my husband and I often refer to Bro. Harry’s masterpiece to our profit. Especially helpful are his various suggestions for difficult sections (such as the parable of the unjust steward).
Your sister in Christ,
Pat Bartle
Joseph and his brothers?
Do you think that Joseph had a pretty good idea ahead of time that he’d be seeing his brothers come down to Egypt to buy grain? Even before they showed up, he might have already thought out the whole complicated ordeal he put them through. Given the severity and extent of the famine, after the years of plenty, it seems to me likely that he had been planning his “lessons” and hoping to see them. Have you read it this way?
David Levin (Baltimore, MD)
Yes, I think that’s entirely possible. What Joseph says to his brothers, at this crisis for them, suggests that — during his own terrible trials, that had come earlier — he had begun to work out in his mind the providential purpose of his God in those trials: “And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will not be plowing and reaping. But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance” (Gen. 45:5-7).
And even much later, when his brothers still exhibited a continuing fear of the brother whom they had wronged, he spoke to them in a similar vein: “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children” (Gen. 50:19-21).
And why not? The one who had received the title “Zaphenath-Paneah”, “Supporter of life” or “Savior of the world” (Gen. 41:45) — the one who was so plainly a pattern of the coming Messiah — was well prepared and well situated to teach his brothers
Opportunity to Teach
The Christadelphian Heritage School (CHS), held in the Simi Hills Ecclesia in the greater Los Angeles area, California, is recruiting teachers and an administrative assistant. The school term is September 2007 through June 2008. This is an ideal opportunity for retired school teachers and young brothers and sisters just out of college — who would like to dedicate a portion of their lives to providing a spiritual and academic educational experience for our children.
Grades are kindergarten through middle school. The school meets on a four-day week, with occasional field trips on Fridays. Curriculum materials are provided. Some financial assistance is available.
The governing principle of CHS is to provide quality education within a Biblical context. It is of the utmost importance that our children be in a safe learning environment, where their best interests and their individual progress are paramount. The small student-to-teacher ratio ensures that our children receive personal attention and an education of the highest caliber. With such a personalized education, we are able to accommodate those with special needs to help them achieve their individual potential. The results have been most positive both in spiritual and secular areas.
If you would like additional information please contact Bro. Greg Robinson at (805) 491-3923. E-mail: greg@bigbrand.com
With love in Christ,
Bro. Greg Robinson, CHS Board
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One