July 16, 2007
Enviornmental Stewardship
| Host: | Jim Schneider |
| Guest: | Calvin Beisner |
| Listen: | RealAudio | Windows Media | MP3 | Order Tape or CD |
Dr. E. Calvin Beisner is an Associate Professor of Historical Theology and Social Ethics at Knox Theological Seminary in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and author of many books and articles including his recent book, Where Garden Meets Wilderness: Evangelical Entry Into the Environmental Debate. He is also a principal drafter of the "Cornwall Declaration on Environmental Stewardship".
Dr. Beisner explained how the command in Genesis for mankind to have dominion over the earth, is not inconsistent with caring for the earth, as it is a stewardship, not a dictatorship arrangement. In fact, he said, the word "conservation" is not the exclusive property of political liberals, in part because it is closely related to the word, "conservative".
The topic of global warming was highlighted. A number of news reports of events and trends that are cited as evidence of dangerous global warning were cited, and Dr. Beisner showed how they may indicate a temporary change in climate, but they do not prove that the earth is in the midst of a drastic warming that will threaten life in the future. In fact, many activites that are given as causes of global warming in reality have a miniscule effect, while over the long term warming and cooling have come in cycles that correspond closely to changes in the sun's radiation, sunspots, and "solar wind".
More Information
For more information on the Cornwall Alliance, and to read the "Cornwall Declaration on Environmental Stewardship" and other material:
