Book Review: A Biblical Theology of Climate Change by Virgil Walker and Darrell B Harrison

Climate change is one of the hottest issues in the world today. It is being discussed in the classroom, the office, our homes, and even in our churches. There is no escape from this topic. Seems like everything going on in the world is blamed on climate change as if it was the scapegoat of the 21st century.

How are Christians supposed to engage the culture regarding this issue? What does the church need to know to think biblically on climate change? Virgil Walker and Darrell Harrison have written a book to help Christians grasp a biblical worldview on climate change titled, A Biblical Theology of Climate Change.

This book begins with an understanding of what climate change is all about. Walker and Harrison dive into exposing climate change not just a worldview but as a religion for many. They also teach on being good stewards in caring for creation. Christians are not called to worship creation, which includes the planet Earth, but to care for all of creation.

Walker and Harrison dive into some historical theology and see what men in the history of the church have said regarding creation. They also address how Christians need to reclaim a biblical view regarding science. Many times, Christians look at science as anti-God. Yes, men have used sciences to discredit God, but if we look at science biblically, we can see it as a means of common grace to see it as a way of identifying God's work in creation.

Walker and Harrison look at the pagan influences into climate change and how Christians can respond. What our authors challenge their readers is for Christians to return to a biblical worldview regarding creation and reject all of these pagan influences because they are no benefit including the worship of mother earth.

 

Walker and Harrison explore what is called Net Zero. To be honest, I never heard of term but have heard the concept behind it. Net Zero is "the idea of human activity must balance all carbon emissions, effectively eliminating any carbon footprint, by offsetting emissions through various means, such as carbon capture technologies, renewable energy, and reforestation." As our authors say, this does sound like a noble task, but when you really dig down deep into this discussion. it is another attempt by sinful man to play God and use technology and political power in attempt to control the climate of the world. 

There is so much to unpack in this book that my little review will not do it justice. This book comes with discussion guides for individual and group studies. There is even a guide for family devotions and homeschool studies. This issue is not going away anytime soon, and Christians need to be aware and equipped on how to engage our culture biblically.

I highly recommend every pastor, elder, deacon, Sunday School teacher, student, layman, and yes, parent, to get this book and read it. It is not lengthy, but it does contain a lot of information you need to know.

I received this book from G3 Press in exchange for an honest review.

Dr. Matthew McLain Addressing Misconceptions about Creationism

Book Review: Theistic Evolution: A Scientific, Philosophical, and Theological Critique

 

Most people have heard of Charles Darwin's theory of evolution and the controversy surrounding it. However, there are very few in the church that have heard of theistic evolution which is basically saying that God created us but did it by evolution. Sadly, there are many prominent pastors and scholars that hold this view on creation which can and has caused confusion in the church today.

How does theistic evolution compare to Darwin's theory and is there Biblical grounds to accept it? In the book, Theistic Evolution: A Scientific, Philosophical, and Theological Critique, we will see these questions and more answered. This book will take a look at theistic evolution through the lens of science, philosophy, and theology. 

We begin with the scientific critique of theistic evolution. We chapters dealing with why people of faith should reject Darwin's theory of evolution also looking into the fossil record and even the evidence of the uniqueness of humans.

The next section deals with the philosophical critique of theistic evolution. This section addresses theistic evolution and the problem of evil. It also looks at God as creator as well how science and the Bible interact today. Then we see the grand old battle of theistic evolution versus intelligent design. One chapter in this section deals with how C.S. Lewis's views on evolution which draws "on Lewis's public and private writings" showing that Lewis has some concerns regarding theistic evolution while raising questions concerning evolution itself by "showing how science itself depends on many nonscientific assumptions." 

Finally, we look at the biblical critique of theistic evolution. As pointed out in the book theistic evolution is incompatible with the teachings of the Old and New Testament, it undermines the doctrine of creation, and inconsistent with historical Christianity. One thing that pointed is that those who hold this view make creation as non-literal. It is more allegory than anything. Adam and Eve were not real. As you can see just by this brief review that theistic evolution is against the Bible overall. The book also calls out evangelical leaders who have embraced theistic evolution. Two of the one mentioned are pastors and authors who many have benefitted from, John Stott and Tim Keller. 

The last chapter of the book addresses the belief that B.B. Warfield held to theistic evolution which I know would be a issue for many in the reformed community. However, as we will see in this chapter it seems Warfield was open to evolution but was very critical about it which eventually he did move away from that theory along with theistic evolution.

I strongly encourage anyone who loves the truth of God's word to get their hands on this book whether a hard copy or e-book. Theistic evolution is a plague that is not going away, and the church needs to know what this and why it is a false teaching.

I received this book from Crossway in exchange for an honest review.

Tony Wood on Evolution's Deception

Podcast Wednesday: Church Discipline, Spiritual Disciplines, Paul's Thorn, and more

Doctrine and Devotion on Spiritual Disciplines

Equipping You In Grace on The Importance and Necessity of Church Discipline

9 Marks on being "called" to ministry

The B.A.R. Podcast on Physics and The Glory of God

What Is Paul's Thorn In The Flesh? from Word Matters

Sinclair Ferguson speaks on The Spirit of Sonship from Renewing Your Mind

Hope When It Hurts (#TGC17 Live-Show) from Calvinist Batman

Furtick Manipulates God's Word for MONEY from Fighting For The Faith