Climate Change

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BWA General Council Resolution 2008.9

The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance, meeting in Prague, Czech Republic, July 20- 25, 2008;

Affirms the biblical teaching that God created all things and that God’s creation is good (Genesis 1: 1- 2:2), and that God has entrusted the care of creation to humans (Genesis 1:28, 29; 2: 15);

Confesses that humans have often denied or ignored our interdependence with creation and abrogated our stewardship of creation, resulting in misuse of the earth’s resources, environmental degradation, and damage to ecosystems;

Recognizes our failure as Baptists to engage with these issues in an adequate and timely manner;

Calls upon the leaders of the Baptist World Alliance to strongly support and encourage government, corporate and community initiatives to address the causes of human-induced climate change, including but not limited to:

a.) greater use of renewable energy technologies;
b.) caps on “greenhouse gas” emissions;
c.) carbon trading;
d.) greater use of “green” architecture, town planning and transport; e.) encouragement to conserve, reuse and recycle goods;

Urges members and member bodies of the Baptist World Alliance to practice environmental stewardship, and promote education with the purpose of honoring God and enhancing the common good;

Calls upon appropriate Commissions and Workgroups of the Baptist World Alliance to study these issues with the view to making further recommendations to advance global Baptist action on climate change.

Citations

Original Source Bibliography: Callam, Neville, editor. Baptist World Alliance 2008 Yearbook: Minutes of the General Council Meeting and Directory. Falls Church, VA: Baptist World Alliance, 2008.

Original Source Footnote/Endnote: Neville Callam, ed., Baptist World Alliance 2008 Yearbook: Minutes of the General Council Meeting and Directory (Falls Church, VA: Baptist World Alliance, 2008), pp. 136- 137.

Online Document Full Citation: BWA General Council Resolution 2008.9 Climate Change; https://baptistworld.org/resolutions.

For more information about Baptist World Alliance Resolutions, visit BaptistWorld.org/resolutions.

Since its formation in 1905, the Baptist World Alliance has networked the global Baptist family to impact the world for Christ with a commitment to strengthen worship, fellowship and unity; lead in mission and evangelism; respond to people in need through aid, relief, and community development; defend religious freedom, human rights, and justice; and advance theological reflection and leadership development.