Mike Kuhn, author of Fresh Vision
for the Muslim World, rightly warns, “there are missional
implications to the political affinities of evangelicals.” Kuhn’s point is an
important one, as it relates to a myriad of current social issues that we
wrestle with as a nation. But while it is true to suggest that we need to be
mindful of the way in which theology affect our politics, it is equally
important for Christians to recognize when they have allowed their politics to
influence their theology.
At the outset, let me make it clear that scripture does not
prohibit the involvement of Christians in politics. Undeniably, reformed
theology in particular has shunned the common distinction between “sacred” and
“secular” and has long supported the need for Christians to impact every sphere
of society, including government.
However, the political atmosphere of modern America has become
quite difficult to compartmentalize into a well-kept corner of our lives.
Partisan debates dominate the headlines and have fostered an environment in
which people are compelled to choose a side.
Given these realities, I have been anxious to see how
Christians might respond to the third National Climate Assessment (NSA) released in
early May by the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP). I am curious,
because there are very few issues today including immigration, marriage,
healthcare, or education that have not become, almost overnight, utterly
politicized. Climate change has not been spared. And as these issues have moved from
being, primarily, a social concern to mere political ammunition, I have watched many
Christians become defined increasingly by their political beliefs rather than
their theological convictions.
In the report a panel of more than 300 scientists conclude “Long-term, independent records from weather stations,
satellites, ocean buoys, tide gauges, and many other data sources all confirm
that our nation, like the rest of the world, is warming.” Furthermore,
exploration of “multiple lines of independent evidence confirm that human
activities are the primary cause of the global warming of the past 50 years.”
Finally, the scientists warn that this warming of the world caused primarily by
human activity “presents a major challenge for society.”
If I might condense
the report even further- The world is
experiencing climactic change that has, is, and will present major challenges
for our entire society, and the primary cause is…humans. If that is all
Christians knew, if we could distance ourselves for a moment from debates about
fossil fuel, deregulation, and the particular party attached to either side of
those debates, would we care? Should we care? And should we be on the forefront
of our nations response through the diversification of transportation options,
water conservation, sustainable agricultural practices, or the development
alternative energy sources as the report suggests? Or will our politics
tempt us to close our eyes and ignore the command to be stewards of the earth
we were given to rule (Gen. 1:28)?
My prayer is
that the church’s response will be guided first by their identity in Christ,
rather than their political affiliation. For as the Arch Bishop of Whales, Dr Barry Morgan, preached in a
recent Easter sermon “Caring for creation means
enjoying the gifts that God has given us, but also ensuring that they are there
for future generations…Our task now is to live by the values of His risen life
– to bring about God’s kingdom on earth as it is in Heaven. And that is good
news for all people and for the whole of creation.”
