It is time that Christians stop backing the climate deniers lies...

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And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. -- Genesis 1:31 (ESV)

https://www.charismanews.com/opinion/heres-the-deal/79869-the-10-essentials-on-climate-change-mdash-horror-or-hoax

I remember growing up in New York in the 1980's we would see the weather turn cold in October. Our first snow would be in November. Sure there was a chance for what was called an "Indian Summer" for a week or so in November but once December set in, it was time to huddle up and ride it out. Snow was a regular occurrence. I remember the blizzard in 96 dumped thirty inches in my neighborhood and the city had to be shut down. Those days are long past beloved. It seems nearly every day this February has been in the 40's instead of the 20's. Snow? We have barely had any and it goes like this every winter now. It was 65 degrees in Antarctica yesterday. Let me repeat that for people who think bringing a snowball into the US Senate disproves climate change. It was 65 degrees in Antarctica yesterday. When considering the key verse, it is difficult to behold the state of God's creation today and still believe it is very good. Not when we realize what man has done to it.

Now I realize that there are two sides to this debate. One sees these obvious and glaring changes to the climate and realizes that we better do something about it before whatever is going on becomes irreversible. The other side simply does not care. They do not want to change anything because they are selfish and it may not matter to them what is left of this planet when we turn it over to the next generation. Also mixed in with this group are republicans because they do not like that Al Gore brought attention to this issue decades ago or that it is the cause celebre for Hollywood. Because the republicans find themselves on Senator Snowball's team (Inhofe was his name) the Christians apparently are forced to agree with this ridiculous position. That is because the Christian apostate church and the NAR are all in on republican politics regardless of the truth. I am sorry but at this point in history you are either part of the solution or you are part of the problem. I say this as a backdrop to the above linked article found on Charisma News today. That is a Christian website defending the ignorance against climate change. Let us try to reason both scientifically and biblically beloved.

"Is this apocalypse now? Terms like "fracking," "carbon footprint," "fossil fuels" and "greenhouse gases" can be intimidating as they increasingly swirl around us in our society, but what do they mean? And let's be real: Do we understand what they're talking about? I may not be a scholarly scientist, but I have been actively involved with environmental concerns and clean-up since serving as president of the student government at Cleveland State University in 1971. President Theodore Roosevelt is one of my environmental heroes and I had activist Ralph Nader address our student body to raise awareness. Recently a young Christian woman hesitantly wondered if current flooding in Venice was a result of global warming. I told her multitudes share similar questions and concerns. Innocuous inquiries like this are healthy, but what about when the overseers of the Doomsday Clock alerted us recently that time is running out for the planet and now we have "100 seconds 'till the apocalypse"; or 80 year-old retired California governor Jerry Brown's calling for "a quasi-religious transformation that has not yet occurred but MUST (emphasis mine) occur"? Will you allow me 10 minutes to present you 10 points so you, your family, your friends and your church can understand what for many is a confusing topic? It's really not as complicated as many believe, but we need to approach this with a biblically informed worldview and be fact-based, avoiding hysteria and fanaticism." -- Larry Tomczak

Tomczak is a staunch NAR dominionist so it is no surprise to see him come down on the side of Senator Snowball. The purpose of this intro here is the same for most deniers these days. They try to sound reasonable. They try to paint a picture of someone who is just as concerned as everyone else but of course there will always be caveats to this concern that render it useless. No one cares if you once listened to Ralph Nadar or claim Teddy Roosevelt as a hero. So we see here this whitewashing is only a prelude to ten things Tomczak thinks will change your mind about worrying about climate. Let's see if there is any reality to his points.

"1. "In the beginning God..." (Gen. 1:1). These are the opening words of the most-read book in all of human history that go on to reveal that God created and controls the heavens and weather. "While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, and day and night will not cease" (Gen. 8:22)." -- Larry Tomczak

Yes, it is true that God created the planet and can certainly control His own creation Tomczak however, leaves out His permissive will from his equation. For example, being in control of all of His creation, God could ensure that no one was ever murdered yet that occurs every single day through the permissive will of God. The point is that because God CAN control something that does not mean He WILL. If we ascribe to the "God is in control" theology then there is virtually no reason to pray. Just what will be, will be. It is intellectually lazy and theologically vacuous to ascribe to such thinking.

"2. God gave us a responsibility to be good stewards of creation to "replenish the earth and subdue it" (Gen. 1:28). Our duty is not to be wasteful or polluters but careful with water, heat, lighting, food and energy. Littering (contrast the grounds after certain leftist-leaning protests with peaceful rallies of, say, March for Life) and dumping waste (plastic and sewage) in water is wrong! I grew up a mile from Cleveland's once-sickening Lake Erie but engaged with others for the incredible turnaround today.

3. We should be resourceful and innovative in looking for ways to save energy and keep a clean environment that honors God and His creation. Electric cars, solar panels and reasonable emission standards all have merit and every person should take responsibility to curb man-made environmental problems. Few are fooled by hypocritical high-profile actors and politicians scolding us, then boarding their private jets and lavish yachts. -- Larry Tomczak

Once again, Tomczak tries to strike the reasonable chord but is all pretense. How can we tell? Because he is talking out of both sides of his mouth already by demonizing actors and politicians who would have the temerity to scold us and then he wrongly states that all of them board luxury jets and yachts. Perhaps Larry is confusing them with many high-profile pastors. Either way, we are starting to see the political agenda that he is trying desperately to wrap in scripture.

"4. Scientists present their theories and findings on both sides of this issue and there is no irrefutable, settled conclusion. I encourage every open-minded seeker of truth to watch: 1) The informative video by respected investigative reporter, John Stossel, on climate change myths; 2) The highly acclaimed film Climate Hustle (now on Amazon Prime), which premiered in Paris and was directed by my 45-year friend Christopher Rogers. Prepare for a "woke" moment!" -- Larry Tomczak

So we come to the deception pretty quickly. I thought Larry might leave this for the end but he is shameless. The matter of climate change has been irrefutably settled and concluded by 97% of scientists. The remaining three percent are hired by the climate deniers side to muddy the waters. Their goal is to make climate change something that still needs to be studied instead of remedied. John Stossel is not a respected investigative journalist. He is a corporate shill who is employed by the republican party to present the mud for the waters previously discussed. This is how the game works by the way. The three percent of loony tune scientists exist solely to be a talking point in response to climate change and Stossel exists solely to lend an air of media credibility. Sorry Larry, we ain't buying. Climate hustle is just a fluff propaganda piece designed to refute that climate change exists at all! It is a deceptive moment, not a woke one.

"5. Recognize the reality that warming and cooling trends have been cyclical throughout history. Not long ago there was concern for an approaching Ice Age. Today, with recent warming trends on the planet, now the focus is on fires. Are we acknowledging there have always been devastating natural disasters on our planet and dire doomsday predictions of apocalyptic catastrophes? In the '60s, just 50 years ago, Paul Ehrlich and others stated things that never came to pass!" -- Larry Tomczak

This is another favorite muddying technique. Confusing weather events with climate. Some areas may need to worry about ice age weather and other areas do have to worry about increasing temperatures. They do not cancel each other out. Realize that Tomczak has the nerve to write this as the entire continent of Australia is literally on fire. Yes it is true that we have always had natural disasters but I do not recall continents catching fire. This is literally the logic of Senator Snowball. Just because it is cold somewhere does not mean that we dismiss areas that are literally burning to the ground.

"6. Wisdom dictates objectively analyzing predictions made by so-called "experts" to steer clear of junk science and unsubstantiated claims by unqualified individuals making a fortune from climate change. Environmental crusader Al Gore has made hundreds of millions of dollars from his film, An Inconvenient Truth, speeches and involvement with boards and initiatives tied to global warming. Read Forbes magazine that did an expose' on how he made a killing/fortune on climate hype.

Ten years after my fellow Tennessean's predictions, I examined the accuracy of his 10 prognostications on his way to the bank:

--Rising sea levels: inaccurate and misleading. Al was discovered purchasing a beachfront mansion!

--Increased tornadoes: declining for decades.

--New Ice Age in Europe: They've been spared, as it never happened.

--South Sahara drying up: completely untrue.

--Massive flooding in China and India: didn't happen.

--Melting Arctic: false. The largest refreezing in years occurred just years ago.

--Polar bear extinction: Actually, they are increasing!

--Temperature increases due to CO2: no significant rising for almost 20 years.

--Katrina, a foreshadow of the future: false. Past 10 years, no F3 hurricane; "longest drought ever!"

--The earth in a "true planetary emergency" within a decade unless drastic action taken to reduce greenhouse gases: never happened." -- Larry Tomczak

Odd for someone so virulently capitalist to complain about someone making money from a documentary film he wrote and made. I am not here to defend Al Gore however because he is a red herring argument. Look at Gore! He bought a beachfront home so therefore climate change must be a hoax! That is beyond a juvenile conclusion. His alleged debunked facts need debunking. Sea levels are rising as a scientific fact. Tornados are increasing in some areas and decreasing in others. The Sahara Desert has increased in size. Flooding in both China and India have not decreased. Polar bears have seen a forty percent decrease in population with only 20,000 or so left. Tomczak cannot even be honest here and that is the third element of climate deniers. The truth is simply not on their side so they scramble to denounce Gore or simply cherry pick facts and falsehoods for their argument. He is actually trying to argue with a straight face that temperatures have not risen when 2016 was the hottest for this planet ever and 2000-2010 was the hottest decade ever. He is even trying to argue that polar ice is not melting which is ABSURD. Realize this is an alleged Christian author on a Christian website, lying for political expediency and mixing the word of God into it to appear pious. Disgusting.

"7. "If pollution on our planet contributes to warming trends, shouldn't we stop it?" Reality check: The two main polluters in the world, communist China and India with 7.7 billion people and 37% of the world's population, are not cooperating in any meaningful way. On a personal level, we all need to do our part. If I flip some trash into a receptacle and miss my "slam dunk," I turn around, pick up the trash and deposit it in the can!" -- Larry Tomczak

So because India and China are bad actors we should just throw our hands up? What kind of a moronic argument is that? We should lead Larry, lead. Not withdraw from the international agreement on climate change.

"8. The root problem in America is irresponsibly and irrationally politicizing this issue instead of approaching it wisely, affirmatively and cooperatively. Angry, far-left global warming fear-mongers, dismissed as "environmental-wackos," demand two things immediately: --Eliminate coal, gasoline and fracking rock to release petroleum, which demonizes industries employing tens of millions of hard-working Americans when we are finally energy independent from Middle East oil; and --Take the money from those involved with supplying our gasoline and redistribute the wealth to the poor and lower-income minorities under socialistic government control.

Totally realign the economy? Stop all drilling for oil? Redistribute the wealth under socialism?" -- Larry Tomczak

Yes, or course. The problem is not that we have polluted God's planet to near extinction but instead it is all of those loud complainers telling us to stop. Listen to the insanity of his arguments! We should continue to kill this planet because of jobs? What, will there be no new jobs in clean energy technology? It is not demonizing an industry but rather the result of that industry. They have made their trillions of dollars and now it is time for them to either reinvent themselves or go the way of Blockbuster Video. I am not even going to address his ridiculous red herring of socialism, which has absolutely nothing to do with this conversation.

"9. Is it realistic to support the astronomical costs and unrealistic ideas of a Green New Deal as the antidote to the apocalyptic scenario presented? The so-called "climate crisis" may require bold proposals, but they need to be rooted in reality; not impossibility! Here are some advocated "solutions" to stop the perceived crisis said to "lead to our extinction in 10-12 years."

--Eliminate all combustible engines and mandate electric cars and hydrogen-powered planes.

--End 80% of the current sources of American power.

--Upgrade and restructure every building and all 136 million homes in America.

--Build a 2,500-mile, high-speed rail to Hawaii as an alternative to air travel.

--Guarantee a government job for everyone, including those "unwilling to work."

If desired, discover more details by contacting the office of former bartender and avowed socialist, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. At this time, she doesn't know the exact cost for the initiative, but economists on both sides say it is "absurd" and would thrust America and subsequently other nations into a worldwide depression." -- Larry Tomczak

You can tell the disingenuousness of Tomczak because he keeps mixing in pet political peeves with climate change that have nothing to do with climate change. The unwilling to work notion is a stale talking point. I work with individuals with disabilities on welfare and I can tell you the caricature is not accurate. As for the rest of this, is none of it possible? When did we become the "can't do" country? I guarantee you this, if the fossil fuel companies wanted to do a diesel train to Hawaii Tomczak would be on board and citing scripture for it. Look, maybe some of the things are pie in the sky or will take a long time but the cost of doing nothing as Tomczak desires is simply too great. Then to mock a sitting US Representative is simply unchristlike. His doomsayer nonsense about a depression shows a lack of creative thinking but he is not interested in finding a way this could work. He just wants the status quo.

"10. If a person does not find forgiveness and fulfillment in a dynamic relationship with Jesus Christ and the adventure of advancing the gospel of His kingdom, they are susceptible to other "causes" to fill the void, such as total taxpayer funded abortions up until the moment of birth or the supposed and imminent climate change crisis." -- Larry Tomczak

Ever the shill, Tomczak's last point has no point to this conversation. To further try and discredit people who want to protect the planet, Tomczak pairs them with people who are pro-choice to further try and demonize them within Christian circles. I just love the absurdity of this argument. He is essentially saying that everyone who believes we should do something about the fact that it was 65 degrees in Antarctica yesterday must be unsaved! That because they do not have Christ they are merely seeking something to fill up the miserable empty exitances. How pathetic. Yet people like Tomczak wonder why unbelievers do not like Christians very much.

"Time magazine's Person of the Year in 2019 was a teenage girl named Greta Thunberg. Her father told the BBC that her "activism helped his daughter out of depression. ... Activism had changed the outlook of the teenager, who suffered from depression for three or four years before she began her school strike protest outside the Swedish parliament. She was now 'very happy,' he said. ... She had previously stopped talking. ... She stopped going to school, he said of her illness." Greta, like so many young people seeking meaning and a cause in which to invest their lives, embraced climate crisis activism as an opportunity to literally save the world! She's actually been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize." -- Larry Tomczak

So now it is time to pick on a 17-year-old girl with autism? Once again, I simply will not give any credibility to his crass, perverse and unchristian arguments that are only proffered to distract from the fact that on the merits, he has no argument. He knows this so he turns this no argument into a call for people to come to faith as a way to not worry about climate change. Sorry but that is ridiculous. Listen, I am not suggesting that Christians need to be climate activists, or even as involved as someone like Greta Thunberg. We are supposed to stand for the truth however. If we are found lying for the sake of politics, why in the world would anyone listen to us about Jesus Christ? It seems that Larry was telling us the truth on two points. First, he is certainly no scholarly scientist and secondly that he once heard Ralph Nadar speak. Too bad he wasn't paying attention.

Reverend Anthony Wade -- February 10, 2020

Authors Bio:
Credentialed Minister of the Gospel for the Assemblies of God. Owner and founder of 828 ministries. Vice President for Goodwill Industries. Always remember that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.