Some individuals have confused the Evangelical Climate Initiative (ECI) endorsed by the National Association of Evangelicals with Merritt’s Southern Baptist Environment & Climate Initiative. Perhaps the most difficult difference for many to grasp is that the ECI is more aggressive and does not allow for the uncertainty about global warming that the SBE&CI document allows. Merritt’s document is more focused on Christian stewardship of the planet.
The two documents sound alike on the surface and share similar, though not identical, initials (with Merritt’s document frequently appearing in media accounts as SBECI without benefit of the ampersand “&”). But the similarities end there, Merritt stresses, adding that the ECI is a document “that I did not sign and have not endorsed.”
Here is how the two documents differ, and Merritt’s comparison with the approach of the two SBC resolutions.
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ECI
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SBE&CI
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On climate change
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Exclusively addresses climate change and leaves no doubt, in their understanding, that it exists and sees any difference of opinion as denial. |
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Largely addresses environmental stewardship and only briefly touches on climate change. When it does address climate changes, makes allowance that the jury is still out and that there is no consensus on the topic. Following its brief acknowledge of the topic, it seeks to diffuse heated rhetoric and firmly directs the discussion back to the biblical mandate of creation stewardship. |
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On government legislation
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Establishes a much more aggressive position on climate change. While not endorsing specific legislation, is far more proactive in getting the government and business community involved in addressing the problem. |
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Intentionally avoids specific legislation and governmental involvement. The goal of the declaration is not to lobby for or produce legislation, but to produce more faithful Christian stewards. |
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On faithfulness to Baptist theology
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A broad-based evangelical document with some Southern Baptist signatories. |
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A distinctively and exclusively Southern Baptist document, written by Southern Baptists to Southern Baptists. The document frequently integrates the Baptist Faith and Message 2000 into the discussion. |
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On funding resources
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A fully-funded operation that is spending large sums of money to get its message into the public marketplace through television spots and ad in such publications as the New York Times. |
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A grassroots effort that began in the heart of a seminary student and gained momentum through volunteer work. More focused on using the Internet than paid advertising to communicate the message. Operates on extremely limited funds. |
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On signatories
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Has a set list of signatories from across the denominational spectrum as well as the backing of the National Association of Evangelicals. |
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While began with a set list of signatories, it continues to accept signatures from Southern Baptists leaders, pastors and lay people at baptistcreationcare.org. It is a uniquely Southern Baptist initiative.
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Environmental Climate Initiative
www.christiansandclimate.org/ |
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Southern Baptist Environment and Climate Initiative
www.baptistcreationcare.org/
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SBC Resolutions |
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2006 – “Environmentalism and Evangelicals”
2007 – “Global Warming” |
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“The resolutions process is a mechanism that the Convention offers for stating a position when the Convention is in session,” said Merritt. “It is more of a ‘top down’ mechanism, and it is a non-binding statement.
“Of course, our statement is also non-binding but the major difference is that our initiative is a ‘bottom up,’ grassroots approach. We pursued this approach intentionally.
“If you want to inspire individuals to engage in meaningful conversation and evaluate their lifestyles, it seems only logical that you would primarily work through people rather than paper. Partnering with real people in real communities who minister to real needs – that is what our initiative brings to the table that a resolution, by its very nature, does not.
“The resolution process is a wonderful process, but it is not the only way that Southern Baptists can speak and it did not seem like the best way to speak in this instance.”
– Jonathan Merritt
2006 SBC resolution on “Environmentalism and Evangelicals”
www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=27584;
2007 SBC resolution on “Global Warming”
www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=27583
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