CHAPLAIN’S PAGE – “DON’T RELY ON GOD TO SAVE THE PLANET”
BEFORE you turn the page in disgust because of the title of this article, please read on. It is a quote from something the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams, said in a lecture. It was reported in the Daily Telegraph on 26th March 2009. He said
‘Don’t rely on God to save the planet, humanity risked being “choked, drowned or starved by its own stupidity” unless action was taken to save the environment, the Archbishop of Canterbury said, as he warned God would not intervene to save the human race. In a lecture in York last night Dr. Rowan Williams said the Earth was facing a “range of doomsday prospects”, from climate change to the destruction of delicate ecosystems.’
A number of thoughts came to mind when thinking about this brief excerpt from Dr. William’s lecture. The first is that his words are an amalgam of truth and error. This is a dangerous mixture in any kind of learning. For example, those with a good knowledge of the Scriptures are not easily fooled, and can usually spot errors. However, there are thousands today, both clergy and laity, who have insufficient knowledge to see any errors in Christian teaching.
Paul had a word on this very issue in Hebrews 5: 12-14:
For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For everyone that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
Paul’s condemnation is in accord with Hosea’s cry against the nation around 785 BC.
My people are destroyed (margin says “cut off”) for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children. (Hosea 4:6)
It is not the purpose of this article to join the current debate on the issue of climate change, and man’s contribution to the ‘greenhouse’ effect. It is necessary however, to highlight the Archbishop’s arrogant assumption regarding the Almighty’s reluctance to save the human race. The Archbishop has made a monumental error in his pronouncement. So serious is this remark, that it is necessary to examine it from a Biblical viewpoint.
The Creator has given man a freedom of choice as to how we act as stewards of the earth. This freedom was granted way back in Genesis.
And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. (Genesis 1:28)
This blessing carried with it a great responsibility. It was a blessing by the Permissive Will of the Creator, which allowed man certain freedom of action. However, this freedom had definite parameters. If he overstepped those boundaries, then God would intervene, this would be the Sovereign Will of the Almighty operating. This action would be necessary to stop man causing any action which could interfere with what has been prewritten concerning the human race. Uppermost in God’s plan and purposes is always His special people Israel. If, therefore, man was allowed freedom which could damage the environment and the eco-system, God will step in and deal with the situation.
When we examine prophecy, it is very clear that man will, in the near future, arrive at that point where the God of Abraham, Isaac and Joseph will intervene. In the 24th Chapter of Matthew we are shown a wonderful scene of Jesus sitting on the Mount of Olives, and talking with His beloved disciples. They put some questions to Him about the future. They had had three years of personal tuition from the Creator Himself, and had sufficient knowledge to ask some pertinent questions. The future of Israel and its function under their King was of great interest to them. They knew that Jesus would be taken from them, and that at some time in the future He would return. They then asked this leading question in verse 3
Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of thy coming, and the end of the world?
(It should be noted that ‘world’ in the K.J.V. should be rendered ‘age’ from the Greek AION. Most other translations use the correct ‘age.’)
The Lord then gives them an overview of world events prior to His return. In verse 22 He makes a statement which we dare not ignore
And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.
Here, without a doubt, is something of monumental importance to those who are alive when these signs of His retum are evident. The only possible conclusion is that something catastrophic is about to happen, that God Himself exercises His Sovereign Will, and intervenes. If this is not so, which the Archbishop categorically states, then the Lord will be unable to retum and rule upon the earth which the prophets have so clearly stated.
How this prince of the church so blatantly is misleading the people is beyond belief. He, of all people should be standing solidly behind the Word of God, and teaching what the prophets set down as instructed by the Holy Spirit. This man will, at the appointed time, have to give an account of his ministry at the judgement seat, as will all Christians.
Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. (I Corinthians 3:13-15)
This text is a sobering thought. It highlights our grave responsibility in our Christian ministry. We not only have Paul’s words of warning, but also the Lord’s when speaking to the people
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. (Matthew 7:15-20)
Are we bringing forth good fruits or evil fruit?
