Brad Boydston's blog for Monday, Nov. 15 is a real keeper. In it he refers us to Martin Marty's article in the Christian Century, "Global Warming and American Christianity," wherein Marty applauds "true conservatives" whose understanding of Scripture mandates care for God's creation.
Unfortunately, conservative Christians who have this understanding are a) few and/or b) are being drowned out by other conservative Christians who don't. Guess who Juan R. I. Cole, Richard P. Mitchell Collegiate Professor of History at the University of Michigan, hears? Yup. You're right. Below is part of the reason why. Wouldn't it be great if there was a video I could send him, that could show a Christian politician representing Another Perspective?
From Cole's blog:
"Rep. John Shimkus (R-Ill.), who will seek the Energy and Commerce Committee chairmanship maintains that we do not have to worry about climate change because God promised in the Bible not to destroy the world again after Noah’s flood."
As if global warming isn't enough of a problem, read some of the comments following the video on Cole's blog. How shall we witness to people whose view of Scripture, Christians (and therefore Christ) is so negative?
Back to Brad's blog, wherein he quotes Peter L. Steinke:
Another often-used term—post-Christian era—captures the reality that the importance and influence of Christianity in North American society has been in decline for at least three decades. In a "post-Christian" world, the church cannot expect favorable treatment or higher visibility.
One could say that a gathering storm—a confluence of factors—has assailed the church and its dominant perch on the societal ladder. None of this has to do with the church's internal functioning. The sea change is external or contextual...
I'm not so sure the cause is entirely external. To some degree, we have brought the storm--both meterologically and metaphysically--on ourselves.
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