I would just like to correct you on your misleading statements about oil burning polluting the earth much more than a volcano. First of all sulfure oxides are the prominent polluntants that are produced when oil is burned. Now burning fuels is the principle HUMAN MADE source of sulfur oxides in the air, this includes oil, coal, wood, natural gas, etc. BUT volcanic activity is a major NATURAL source of sulfur dioxide pollution (a type of sulfur oxide). In fact in October of 2004 Mount Saint Helens began erupting. Now this was not an explosive eruption like the one in 1980. But rather a drawn out eruption that emitted steam, ash and eventually lava. For a few months the the volcano emitted 50 to 250 tons of sulfur dioxides EVERYDAY. To put this into perspective, the combined industries of the ENTIRE state of Washington emitted only 120 tons per day. So during the eruption, Mount Saint Helens was the largest polluter in Washington.

Now one might argue that this was just a one time deal and that man still emits way more pollution than natural sources. Again this is an irrational, naive, and downright false point of view. Why? Because scientific estimates conclude that natural sources emit about 80-290 tons of sulfur oxides each year while the human industry emits about 70-100 millions tons. So in reality natural sources produce the same amount if not more than the human industry.

Maria I find it suprising that you believe what the liberal media spoonfeeds you and don’t take into account actual facts.

Brad,

I find your comment refreshing, way to go brother! Love your comment on climate change, what many people forget, don’t know, or just neglect is that the earth was signficantly warmer between the ninth and fourteenth centuries than it is today. This was concluded by a team from Harvard University who reviewed 240 scientific studies on global temperatures in the past.

It makes me sad that people are actually buying into this post-modern religious propaganda instead of going to the Bible for real answers. If it weren’t for people like JMac and R.C Sprouls than we would have to go down the misguided path of Rob Bell, Dan Kimball and the likes…..geez that’s a scary thought. But I will leave the judging to God and only pray and show Christ’s love for these misled people.

P.S. Kurt, I would love to hear your view on global warming

I find it surprising that you doubt that billions and trillions of gallons of burned oil would not have some effect on the environment. That is a lot of carbon which has not been in the atmosphere for a very, very long time. Even volcanoes which spew out considerable ash and carbon into the atmosphere can have a noticeable affect on the weather. The carbon that we have put in the atmosphere is many, many times that of a volcano.

When we think of nature as being here for our pleasure rather than for God’s pleasure, then we are worshiping and serving the creature (ourselves) rather than the Creator. The lie is that we have to take care of ourselves first before we care for creation. The truth is that when we start becoming servant leaders (like Jesus was) and caring for creation so that it pleases God first, he supplies everything that we need.

Thank you for the conversation. I have read your posts. Interesting reading.

I would like to add to the conversation. I am not a believer in the so called environmentalists Man Made Global Warming due to fossil fuel CO2 religion.

I do believe climate has always changed, is changing and will continue to change. This is natural variability demonstrated by historical records before the industrial period of the last 100 -150 years.

I agree that God gave man the stewardship of the earth, to look after it and to use it for our enjoyment while living from its benefits. Plants, animals, fish, and fresh water. Minerals, such as coal, copper, gold, silver to make things and earn a living.

I confess with my mouth to be a believer and accept Jesus is Lord and I believe in my heart that he died for my sins and God the Father raised Jesus to life after his death. Romans 10:9

This is the point I wish to make. In Australia as in North America and Europe, we have seen a massive shift in the last century where our societies have departed from a Biblical worldview to that of a Humanistic and post modern one. We have collectively become ignorant and neglectful of God’s promised wrath on the children of disobedience. Those who reject Jesus.

I share JMac’s concerns that the devoted environmentalists who hold to AGW (CO2) caused Climate Change is that they ignore the warnings of Paul to Romans in Romans Ch1v 18-25.

v25 – “because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.”

That is the real point to this conversation and JMac’s article, don’t you agree?
Blessings, Brad

Jody+ Great commentary!

Glenn… thanks for the resource.

Maria.. good thoughts!

James-Michael… AMEN!!!!

Chad… great insight my friend…

Michael Todd… glad to see your wrestling with stuff here!

And to my other earlier commenters… Great conversations!!!!!

First off, pre-fall, God gave the earth to humans to literally “shepherd” it. That means taking care of it, and conserving it. So being an environmentalist is actually in keeping with one of our missions as humankind pre-fall. It then seems it was in God’s original plan to take care of the earth, it just got a lot harder on us after we broke it and ourselves by refusing to trust God.

Second, this concept of a disposable earth isn’t good theology, it’s what comes about from too much emphasis on heaven instead of the new earth which is actually talked about a whole lot more. Paul in Romans 8 references the whole creation groaning together waiting for the redemption along with us, as just one example of the concept that instead of blowing everything up (yeah, I think that peter quote in MacArther’s snippet is poetic hyperbole), God is going to redeem, reform, and make all things new again.

If you look at us, God doesn’t blow us up as he works on us, he works with us where we are at, moving toward the ultimate redemption at the end of time when we will be made completely whole. Why would it be different with the planet he made?

This is a warped and twisted logic that is only made capable by a theology held captive by modernist rationalism that eschews any notion of stewardship or rightfully exercised dominion. I would suggest MacArthur read some N.T. Wright, but I’m sure he’s already written +Durham off.

It also shows the unholy alliance between false political conservatives and false theological conservatives who have sold their respective heritage for a load of industrial sludge.

What one person does or says can make a huge difference. Did you ever read the poem “For the Want of a Nail”? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/For_Want_of_a_Nail_(proverb)

The environmental impact of a person or a corporation depend largely on what the corporation or individual does. There are some very green corporations and there are some very un-green individuals. It only takes a few voices speaking out to change how things are done. Corporations have individuals in them. If a few people are willing to lead change and are persistent, whole companies can change.

And just as a few good people can make a difference, one bad apple can spoil the whole bushel. If Christians don’t speak out against such ideology that is spouted off by the likes of JMacArthur then non-Christians tend to get the impression that we are all as ignorant and hypocritical as he is.