HSU Insider

What is God's Stake in the Environment?

• By Dave Coffield
• Posted August 31, 2007 2:35 PM
• 0 Comments

“Polluters will have to answer to God, not just government,� are the provocative words of Richard Cizik, Vice President of Governmental Affairs for the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE), headquartered in Washington, D.C. The conservative leader is on a mission to convert millions of Americans to the cause of conservation, spreading the doctrine of “creation care� to evangelical Christians. Cizik will speak at the 18 Sep HSU Chapel beginning at 11:55.

Richard Cizik

Cizik doesn’t liken his efforts to other environmental groups because his “creation care� is rooted in scripture and not politics or ideology. He has so far rejected collaboration with established environmental groups because he fears many in the evangelical community associate the environmental movement with population control, big-government solutions, New Age religion, and apocalyptic scenarios.

Cizik prefers to frame his doctrine as a pro-life issue. He also recognizes that there is work to be done among those in the evangelical community who remain distrustful of science, “There is a mistrust of science in general and a mistrust of science on climate in particular. There is a basic formula that goes: science supports evolution, evangelicals oppose evolution, ergo there’s a conflict between science and evangelicals. Happily, there are a growing number of evangelical scientists who are helping us overcome this barrier.�

Cizik’s effort’s have not gone unchallenged by the evangelical community. In March , Focus on the Family founder, James C. Dobson, called for Cizik’s removal for pursuing an issue that is “dividing and demoralizing evangelicals.� A number of evangelical leaders and educators have gone so far as to denounce the validity of global warming by signing letters claiming that measures put forward to address environmental concerns raised by global warming will have a detrimental effect on the poor in the short term.

Cizik sees a gradual change in attitude as movements such as the Evangelical Climate Initiative gains momentum. The initiative, supported by individuals and foundations including the Pew Charitable Trusts, the Hewlett Foundation and the Rockefeller Brothers foundation is one indication of a growing urgency about climate change among religious groups. Interfaith climate campaigns in 15 states are pressing for regional standards to reduce greenhouse gasses. Jewish, Roman Catholic, and Eastern Orthodox leaders also have campaigns under way.

Cizik is responsible for directing NAE’s Washington Insight Briefing and Christian Student Leadership Conferences, setting its policy direction on issues before Congress, the White House, and Supreme Court, as well as serving as a national spokesman on issues of concern to evangelicals. He received his BA in Political Science from Whitworth College, an MA in Public Affairs from George Washington University, and a Master of Divinity from Denver Seminary. In addition to his duties with the NAE, he sits on advisory boards of the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life and the Institute on Religion and Public Policy. The Abilene public is cordially invited to this and all HSU Chapel events.