one difference between Jesus and us is that He knew the truth. Using climate science as an example seems off base. The conclusions of the climate "scientists" are in dispute -- the "97% of climate scientists say ..." notwithstanding. The predictions of the climate "scientists" have not proven accurate over time. Whether or not the earth is headed for disaster if CO2 emission is not eliminated entirely is open to debate.
Interesting thought, Bill. In light of this post, I decided to rewatch your lecture at the Hauenstein Center from 2014, "The Prez: Machiavelli Visits The White House" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alnvB0ythDE&t=2880s). Have you given more thought to writing your take on what Machiavelli would say to President, as you proposed in your lecture?
Though I have read theology and have spent a lot of time in Biblical Studies I won’t claim to be a theologian. What I’m going to say are the words of a layman who is well read. It seems that we should not have to parse the problem in this way. Yes, as Christian I should not have to pay for the sins of my fathers. On the other hand, as a Christian, I have a duty to my fellow man to make their lives better. I also have a duty to this world that has been entrusted to us by God. Though I’m not guilty of my parent’s sins that doesn’t mean that I have no responsibility to clean it up. I view this as similar to race issues in America. I feel no guilt over slavery or Jim Crow. I was born in 1974. I didn’t do any of that. That doesn’t mean that I am free of helping to solve the social issues made by those who went before me. When Christ shared the parable of the sheep and the goats the poor, homeless, sick, and prisoners were not defined as worthy and innocent. Nor were the Sheep worried about why the poor were poor. You feed the hungry, you clothe the naked, you care for the sick, you shelter the homeless, you visit those in prison because it’s the right thing to do. The same applies here. The right thing to do is to reduce man’s carbon output. That might mean that larger, more developed nations will have to help build those infrastructures. So be it. We all live on the same planet.
I agree with what I take to be your conclusion, David - that we should help those in need of help because they need the help, not because of something our parents did to them. That's where I think some of the current conversation goes wrong, by trying to make people feel guilty about things they themselves didn't do. And I think that approach is counterproductive. If you try to make people feel guilty, they get defensive. But if you appeal to their humanity - to those better angels - they are more likely to feel generous. And we'll all be better off.
Yes indeed. Sorry my comment was a little scrambled. I should wait until after coffee to make comments! We need leaders who will speak to those better angels.
For those of us who are Christians,
one difference between Jesus and us is that He knew the truth. Using climate science as an example seems off base. The conclusions of the climate "scientists" are in dispute -- the "97% of climate scientists say ..." notwithstanding. The predictions of the climate "scientists" have not proven accurate over time. Whether or not the earth is headed for disaster if CO2 emission is not eliminated entirely is open to debate.
I really like your posts. Excellent post!
Glad you like them.
Interesting thought, Bill. In light of this post, I decided to rewatch your lecture at the Hauenstein Center from 2014, "The Prez: Machiavelli Visits The White House" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alnvB0ythDE&t=2880s). Have you given more thought to writing your take on what Machiavelli would say to President, as you proposed in your lecture?
For me, Jake, Donald Trump jumped the shark on that issue. I think he would have left Machiavelli at a loss for words.
Though I have read theology and have spent a lot of time in Biblical Studies I won’t claim to be a theologian. What I’m going to say are the words of a layman who is well read. It seems that we should not have to parse the problem in this way. Yes, as Christian I should not have to pay for the sins of my fathers. On the other hand, as a Christian, I have a duty to my fellow man to make their lives better. I also have a duty to this world that has been entrusted to us by God. Though I’m not guilty of my parent’s sins that doesn’t mean that I have no responsibility to clean it up. I view this as similar to race issues in America. I feel no guilt over slavery or Jim Crow. I was born in 1974. I didn’t do any of that. That doesn’t mean that I am free of helping to solve the social issues made by those who went before me. When Christ shared the parable of the sheep and the goats the poor, homeless, sick, and prisoners were not defined as worthy and innocent. Nor were the Sheep worried about why the poor were poor. You feed the hungry, you clothe the naked, you care for the sick, you shelter the homeless, you visit those in prison because it’s the right thing to do. The same applies here. The right thing to do is to reduce man’s carbon output. That might mean that larger, more developed nations will have to help build those infrastructures. So be it. We all live on the same planet.
I agree with what I take to be your conclusion, David - that we should help those in need of help because they need the help, not because of something our parents did to them. That's where I think some of the current conversation goes wrong, by trying to make people feel guilty about things they themselves didn't do. And I think that approach is counterproductive. If you try to make people feel guilty, they get defensive. But if you appeal to their humanity - to those better angels - they are more likely to feel generous. And we'll all be better off.
Yes indeed. Sorry my comment was a little scrambled. I should wait until after coffee to make comments! We need leaders who will speak to those better angels.