A growing number of Christians are embracing the ... - Biola University
A growing number of Christians are embracing the ... - Biola University
A growing number of Christians are embracing the ... - Biola University
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2 2<br />
J O H N B L O O M<br />
“Using our natural<br />
resources more wisely<br />
is part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Genesis<br />
mandate to be good<br />
stewards.”<br />
President Al Gore has even managed to win endorsements for his<br />
nonpr<strong>of</strong>it, The Alliance for Climate Protection, from <strong>the</strong> likes <strong>of</strong> evangelical<br />
leader Pat Robertson, who appe<strong>are</strong>d in a television commercial last March<br />
with <strong>the</strong> Rev. Al Sharpton, in which <strong>the</strong> two decl<strong>are</strong>d that <strong>the</strong> one thing <strong>the</strong>y<br />
can agree on is <strong>the</strong> importance <strong>of</strong> taking c<strong>are</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> planet.<br />
Still, despite <strong>the</strong> app<strong>are</strong>nt shift in evangelicals’ approach to environ -<br />
mental activism, <strong>the</strong>y <strong>are</strong> still — as a whole — well behind <strong>the</strong> general<br />
population in <strong>the</strong>ir level <strong>of</strong> concern about global warming. A 2007 Barna<br />
Research poll indicated that only 33 percent <strong>of</strong> evangelicals described<br />
global warming as a “major issue” — <strong>the</strong> lowest <strong>of</strong> any group surveyed. By<br />
contrast, 62 percent <strong>of</strong> those associated with a faith o<strong>the</strong>r than Christianity<br />
described environmental changes as a major problem.<br />
For all <strong>the</strong> hype about <strong>Christians</strong> making strides in environmental<br />
action, <strong>the</strong>n, it seems <strong>the</strong>re <strong>are</strong> still lingering questions in <strong>the</strong> minds <strong>of</strong><br />
many evangelicals: Why should we c<strong>are</strong> about global warming? Even if it is<br />
a real problem, <strong>are</strong>n’t <strong>the</strong>re more pressing issues for <strong>Christians</strong> to be<br />
fighting for? Isn’t global warming a natural phenomenon?<br />
God’s Word and God’s World<br />
<strong>Biola</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>essor Garry DeWeese was a skeptic 10 years ago, but today<br />
believes that a significant part <strong>of</strong> global warming is in fact humancaused.<br />
“But it really doesn’t matter what we think <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> human causes <strong>of</strong><br />
global warming,” said DeWeese, a pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> philosophy <strong>of</strong> religion and<br />
ethics at <strong>Biola</strong>’s seminary, Talbot School <strong>of</strong> Theology. “<strong>Christians</strong> have <strong>the</strong><br />
responsibility to be wise stewards <strong>of</strong> creation.”<br />
Payne, who retired this year after 38 years <strong>of</strong> teaching at <strong>Biola</strong>, echoed<br />
this conviction, saying that even if <strong>the</strong>re <strong>are</strong> natural causes to global<br />
warming, <strong>the</strong>re certainly <strong>are</strong> some human causes, and <strong>Christians</strong> ought to<br />
be <strong>the</strong> very first to decry that.<br />
“We were given a mandate in Scripture to c<strong>are</strong> for creation, and that<br />
never went away,” he said. “When you can measure how many tons <strong>of</strong><br />
carbon dioxide we pump into <strong>the</strong> atmosphere every day, and <strong>the</strong>n — in a<br />
sense — belittle that fact or disregard it as being not much, <strong>the</strong>n I really<br />
think it’s like an ostrich with its head in <strong>the</strong> sand.”<br />
Payne and DeWeese agree that environmental concern ought to be an<br />
issue for <strong>Christians</strong> no matter where <strong>the</strong>y <strong>are</strong> on <strong>the</strong> political spectrum —<br />
that <strong>the</strong>y have a duty to conserve, preserve and restore creation until<br />
Christ returns.<br />
“Whe<strong>the</strong>r Christ comes back tomorrow or in hundreds <strong>of</strong> years,” said<br />
Payne, “it doesn’t excuse us from our ecological responsibility.”<br />
DeWeese agreed, adding that <strong>Christians</strong> <strong>are</strong> also responsible to <strong>the</strong><br />
.<br />
New Talbot Building<br />
Project ‘LEEDs’ <strong>the</strong> Way<br />
<strong>Biola</strong>’s latest campus building project is not only <strong>the</strong> most<br />
ambitious in its history; it’s also <strong>the</strong> greenest.<br />
The planned “campus within a campus” for Talbot<br />
School <strong>of</strong> Theology — which consists <strong>of</strong> two new buildings<br />
and a major renovation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> existing Feinberg<br />
Hall — includes conservation efforts around just about<br />
every corner.<br />
Among o<strong>the</strong>r features, <strong>the</strong> complex will feature<br />
ro<strong>of</strong>top gardens that cool <strong>the</strong> buildings and collect rainwater<br />
for irrigation. Photovoltaic panels on major stair<br />
towers will generate electricity. Specially designed<br />
windows will block heat from <strong>the</strong> sun while maximizing<br />
natural light.<br />
The structures will be <strong>Biola</strong>’s first LEED-certified<br />
(Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) buildings<br />
on campus, a designation that requires buildings to<br />
meet a strict set <strong>of</strong> criteria for environmentally sustainable<br />
construction. The <strong>University</strong> has decided to pursue LEEDcertification<br />
for all future building projects.<br />
“<strong>Biola</strong> recognizes <strong>the</strong> importance <strong>of</strong> being good<br />
stewards <strong>of</strong> God’s creation, not because it is politically correct,<br />
but because God calls us to that kind <strong>of</strong> management<br />
<strong>of</strong> his creation,” said Ken Bascom, <strong>Biola</strong>’s senior director<br />
<strong>of</strong> facilities planning and construction. “As a leader in <strong>the</strong><br />
Christian community, <strong>Biola</strong> seeks to reinforce a <strong>growing</strong><br />
trend among conservative <strong>Christians</strong> to recognize our obligation<br />
to c<strong>are</strong> for creation in a responsible way.”<br />
To learn more about <strong>the</strong> project and how you can<br />
contribute to its construction, visit www.talbot.edu.<br />
B I O L A