The Church of Global Warming

[TBC: Having forsaken the sure Word of God and consequently given up the only true solution to humanity’s need, groups such as the National Council of Churches can only parrot the world’s rhetoric: "’Because global climate change will effect [sic] us all, and those in poverty the most, it transcends religious and political divides and provides vibrant opportunities for faith communities to come together to address this global concern,’ implored Cassandra Carmichael, who directs the NCC’s ’eco-justice’ program" ("The Church of Global Warming," Tooley, FrontPageMagazine.com, Thursday, February 21, 2008).]

Inadvertently, the very solutions to global warming are ideas which have demonstrably been tried and found wanting. It is instructive to consider the following remarks pointing us back to the Scriptures:
 
"Scriptures neither teach that the Lord favors all who are rich nor that His judgment is on all the poor or that poverty occurs because of a particular sin. In fact, the opposite may be true as in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke:16:20-31 [20] And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, [21] And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. [22] And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; [23] And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. [24] And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. [25] But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. [26] And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. [27] Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: [28] For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. [29] Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. [30] And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. [31] And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
See All...). The Bible teaches that at times the wicked prosper and the righteous suffer (Psalm 73). This is temporary, as Asaph writes in that Psalm. By no means does God make that the rule. The Bible teaches the wicked will not prosper ultimately, but the righteous will flourish (2 Chronicles:24:20And the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, which stood above the people, and said unto them, Thus saith God, Why transgress ye the commandments of the LORD, that ye cannot prosper? because ye have forsaken the LORD, he hath also forsaken you.
See All..., Deuteronomy:28:29And thou shalt grope at noonday, as the blind gropeth in darkness, and thou shalt not prosper in thy ways: and thou shalt be only oppressed and spoiled evermore, and no man shall save thee.
See All...). God may also cause an unrighteous nation to rise to prominence for a time according to His purpose. This is also temporary and such a nation eventually comes under God's judgment (Exodus:9:15-17 [15] For now I will stretch out my hand, that I may smite thee and thy people with pestilence; and thou shalt be cut off from the earth. [16] And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth. [17] As yet exaltest thou thyself against my people, that thou wilt not let them go?
See All... and Romans:9:17-18 [17] For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. [18] Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.
See All...) as is evident from Egypt to Rome.

"I am not promoting a ’prosperity gospel’ which suggests success is always a sign of God's favour. This is a grave error since wicked people may prosper and it ignores Jesus' words ’seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you’ (Matthew:6:33But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
See All...—emphasis added).

"Clearly, our primary task is to obey the Lord; material blessing from God follows. We should not despise these blessings as ascetics do (Colossians:2:20-23 [20] Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, [21] (Touch not; taste not; handle not; [22] Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? [23] Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.
See All...). This is a Gnostic error asserting material things are base whereas God created them ’good’ (Genesis:1:31And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.
See All...). Like Job, we should be prepared to see blessings removed and say ’The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord’ (Job:1:21And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.
See All...).

"The prevailing humanistic worldview is flawed. It asserts the poor exist because of injustice. As such, they bear no responsibility for their situation and are entitled to something they did not earn. In essence, sinful envy and covetousness are legitimized. Help for the poor becomes a matter of fundamental justice, not mercy (which, by definition, is not deserved). The Bible teaches we all deserve nothing but God's judgment and any good we receive is mercy (cf Ps:130:3If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?
See All...,4). The world points to Western excesses (rightfully to some extent) and claims that poor countries are right to riot against ’American Imperialism’ or other ’Western exploitation.’ Christians should reject this and point to the real reason for unrest in the world: rejection of the gospel and widespread sin."

(A Biblical Approach to Poverty, Zoltan Horvath, http://www.u-turn.net/9-1/poverty.shtml).