Today's Scripture Reading (October 9, 2025): Psalm 104
I recently watched a documentary that examined the
last time the Earth was without ice. The premise was that while we often think
of the ice age as something that existed thousands of years ago, this
documentary reminded the viewer that the last ice age hasn't ended yet, as
there is still semi-permanent ice on the planet. The comment actually took me
by surprise.
The documentary explored some of the major changes
that existed the last time the Earth was without ice, which was over 34 million
years ago. Most of the most prominent differences appear to be that the animals
were significantly larger, and the land area was substantially smaller. There
were no higher-level primates on Earth, and, of course, no humans; this was a
long time before the story of Adam and Eve. The water that dominated the planet
was filled with things that could only be called "monsters." If
humans were on the Earth, it would have been a terrifying time to be alive.
As far as the border between land and sea, almost all
coastal areas on our planet were then underwater. If you live within sight of
water, your place would likely have been part of the water instead of part of
the land. Europe would have been just a group of large islands in the North
Atlantic region of the Earth. None of this should come as a surprise, given
that we are witnessing flooding on an unprecedented scale, and bodies of water
threaten to submerge many of our coastlines. The temperature during this moment
in our history was probably at least eight degrees, on average, higher.
Some politicians maintain that climate change is some
kind of a hoax. And maybe it is. It all depends on what your image of the
planet might be. If it is of a water world where the average temperature is
another eight degrees warmer than it is today, where giants roamed the Earth
and swam the seas, and where we are absent, maybe you are right. If your image
of the Earth is one where it was a few degrees colder and the ice mass at
higher altitudes, as well as at the North and South Poles, is greater than it
is today, then climate change is very real.
Which is right? I have no idea. This is what I know.
I know that God placed his creation on the earth during the present ice age. We
weren't here the last time that the Earth was without ice. The Psalmist also
says that God has set a limit on the ocean's depth. I wish that there were a
dark red line wherever the water boundary should be, but there isn't. For most
of the Earth's history, God has been the one who decides where the oceans
should be. It is only very recently that we have become like God, with the
ability to set the boundaries of where the oceans and lakes should be. God, in
his wisdom, has allowed us the ability to flood the coastlines, destroying
them. He has given us the responsibility to care for the earth that he created.
In this way, we have become like God. And that is a huge responsibility.
So, what are we going to do with our newfound power?
It is up to us whether we protect the planet or exploit it. Where would you
draw the line that stops the water from the seas? For the first time in our history,
we have the power to save or destroy our coastlines. What happens really is up
to us.
Tomorrow's Scripture Reading:
Psalm 107
No comments:
Post a Comment