December 2014

Pray and Fast for the Climate
I'm really disappointed to see these three contributions. Science and faith should not be seen as enemies. What is the value in Christians, who are supposed to value truth, to choose to discard the views of 95% of the scientific community in favour of those of the 5%?
If Christianity isn't to engage with politics nor with the real issues of the day then frankly it deserves to be dismissed as irrelevant by those outside it.
Particularly since the reformation Christians have allowed ourselves to be sucked into a totally human-centric view of God, ignoring the rest of creation and how God regards that (read the first couple of chapters of Genesis carefully, plus the Noah story for some insight into God's views of the rest of what he has made).
It may be helpful a lso for you to look at the websites of the John Ray Initiative, Christian Ecology Link and Arocha. There are resources there which may help bring a bit of balance to what has been expressed below.
David Miller

Well said, David Miller. I completely endorse what you have said below and as for the preceding comments I would also direct their authors to the document produced jointly by the Methodist Church, United Reformed Church and Baptist Union of Great Britain. Entitled 'Hope in God's Future', it is subtitled 'Christian discipleship in the context of climate change' and is one of many recent publications making very clear the link between the gospel and the response of Christians to what is 'the greatest challenge to the church in our generation'. How can we claim to heed the biblical call to seek justice, love our neighbour and feed the hungry if we ignore the one thing that will bring increased hunger and poverty and very probably increased conflict? Christ showed love by ministering to physical need and so should we.
Nicky Bull

We're called to be stewards of God's creation, not its gravediggers. Get praying, and get persuading.
Roderick MacRorie

"We should be speaking out when actions taken by rich nations directly damage the poor of the world". But that is PRECISELY what we rich nations are doing to the poor! One of the significant contributors to the science of climate change is a the Christian, Sir John Houghton. He was head of the Met Office and a chair of the IPCC. His autobigraphy "Eye of the Storm" is well worth reading. He refers to his direct experience of the forces which seek to undermine the truth about the science.
Geoff Stratford

Does Paul have anything to say about poverty?
Very interesting - if only we could be this radical. Shame you had to go all the way to Australia to find someone suggesting debt cancellation. I thought this OECD report this week was interesting, too. http://www.theguardian.com/business/2014/dec/09/revealed-wealth-gap-oecd-report
RedTeeTiger

Climate Change and Christian discipleship
That last sentence sums up perfectly why climate change is, indeed, a Christian issue. Thank you!
Nicky Bull

Change of name for Baptist college
What an excellent decision! There was no need for the change in the first place, which seemed like innovation for its own sake - and, as so well illustrated, led to confusion in most peoples' minds. Thankfully, sense has prevailed while still keeping the idea of a wider community of learning.
Michael J. Cleaves - bishop of the EBC of Georgia

Depth of Jamaica/British Baptist relationship highlighted by BBC
Excellent service! Very moved to hear the gospel read in Jamaican Patois
Sonia