Even the Southern Baptists....

Even more conservative Christian denominations are looking hard at the realities of climate change:

Southern Baptists fight climate change
http://green.yahoo.com/news/ap/20080310/ap_on_re_us/southern_baptists_environment.html

Some conservative leaders like Dobson and Colson fear that focusing on the environment will distract from more central "moral" issues like family, abortion, homosexuality, and stem cell research.

God's plan for the world is redemption. No clearer is that seen than in the Incarnation of Jesus Christ. Jesus entered our existence and showed us the true path to salvation: obedience to God despite life's circumstances. And Jesus makes that possible through the grace given to us by his death and resurrection. Jesus died that we would have true life, not only forever but right now as well.

Jesus was a faithful Jew, so he would have believed in Genesis 1, that God created the world and created human beings to care for it and tend it--to be a good steward of creation. We're far better stewards with our wallet green than we are with our natural green, which we didn't even have to earn.

Good Christian brothers and sisters: being "green" need not "distract" from the issues that Dobson, Colson, and others raise. It's all about being holistic. Love God and love others; hate what is evil and seek good. We can't get into this business of ranking holiness: raising a family well is "more important" than being eco-friendly; legally ending abortion is "more important" than recycling. There is but one thing that brings holiness: being a child of God. That is our mark. That is our identity. It defines who we are in all areas of our lives: relationally, economically, socially, politically. We don't lean "left" or "right", we lean on the cross of Christ. America teaches us to pursue "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." This must be qualified by Jesus' call to "take up your cross and follow me."

It's time we heard God's voice loud and clear: you're destroying the good earth I gave you. You are violating my Holy Word. There are basic things you can do to reverse the trend. Do it in grace and faith--just like you would stop sinning in your personal life if God revealed that sin to you. Work to reduce the number of abortions. Work to uphold the sanctity of life. Work to uphold the sanctity of marriage. And work to uphold the sanctity of Creation. Consume without being consumeristic. Pursue happiness but not at the sake of others' happiness. Be truly conservative.