Wat heeft Dordrecht met Katowice te maken? Gereformeerde theologie en klimaatverandering

Samenvatting

What Does Dordrecht Have to Do With Katowice? Reformed Theology and the Problem of Climate Change Reformed Christians who deny or qualify the contemporary climate change (most probably caused by humanity) and its many baneful consequences often do so with an appeal to God’s predetermination and unceasing sustenance of the world’s climate. This essay discerns three theological lines of argument in favour of this position and briefly explores their connections with young earth creationism. Next, the essay critically assesses this appeal to God’s sovereign government in the light of a careful reading of the Canons of Dordt. It is argued that the doctrine of predestination is abused when it is invoked to downplay human responsibility. Sloth and indifference with regard to contemporary climate change are ecological sins; it belongs to the effects of God’s election that we start to hate and combat such sins.