He’s young, bright, and conservative. But his thoughts on Christian stewardship of the environment have set off a firestorm in the denomination. He’s been called a socialist, a tree hugger, and a liberal. The problem, he maintains, is that most individuals are responding to what others have said about him and not about what he said in his document.

David Smith

In this exclusive interview with The Christian Index, the only one among Southern Baptist media, the Georgia native discusses his intent and deflects much of the criticism that he says has taken the document out of context.   Top related stories:   • SBC President Frank Page asks for a truce in the escalating rhetoric   • Georgia Baptists among those going green   • Index Editor Gerald Harris calls all to good stewardship of Planet Earth   • Denominational leaders from both sides take a pro and con stance   • Jonathan Merritt explains the origin and goal of the document at the center of the controversy

All related stories

Spirited and Christ-like climate debate
SBC president addresses environmental debate
By Frank Page

Recently, Southern Baptists’ attention has been focused on media reports which relate to the release of and the signing of a document titled A Southern Baptist Declaration on the Environment and Climate Change. Seldom have I seen such a reaction. Part of this has been slightly humorous.

How green is my building?
Eco-friendly changes in Southern Baptist buildings resulting in extra funds, leaders discover
By Joe Westbury, Managing Editor

Some Southern Baptists are discovering that changing a few light bulbs, installing low-flow toilets when old ones break, and planting more shrubbery actually saves them money in the long haul.

A call to good stewardship of Planet Earth
By J. Gerald Harris, Editor

Last year the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) gave its fourth report on global warming and announced that warming is “unequivocal” and that the cause of rising temperatures, melting ice caps, and rising sea levels is “very likely” induced by human activity.

Denominational leaders from both sides take a pro and con stance

Seminary president lauds student's courage
By Joe Westbury, Managing Editor

Southeastern Seminary President Danny Akin is pleased with the environmental declaration that one of his seminary students crafted, along with others, from what the student learned in the classroom.

Professor sees "guilt by association" as root problem
By Joe Westbury, Managing Editor

John Hammett believes one of many problems with Jonathan Merritt’s statement on the environment is the classic “guilt by association” factor.

Younger conservative leaders need a voice in SBC
By Joe Westbury, Managing Editor

Former SBC President James Merritt of Duluth believes the Church too often has brought up the end of life’s parade rather than leading it. That’s why he feels his son’s document on the environment is a step toward taking back what rightly belongs to believers.

Why I will not sign 'A Southern Baptist Declaration on the Environment and Climate Change'
By David Hankins, Executive Director, Louisiana Baptist Convention

Recently a number of conservative Southern Baptist leaders endorsed the document, “A Southern Baptist Declaration on the Environment and Climate Change,” which asserts: “We believe our current denominational engagement with [climate change] issues has often been too timid, failing to produce a unified moral voice.

Jonathan Merritt: In his own words
By Joe Westbury, Managing Editor

Jonathan Merritt didn’t think he would be setting off a denomination-wide controversy when he took his seminary professor at his word during a standard lecture.

A look at how the documents compare

Some individuals have confused the Evangelical Climate Initiative (ECI) endorsed by the National Association of Evangelicals with Merritt’s Southern Baptist Environment & Climate Initiative.