The Natural Philosopher Mick Pope

In this episode I reflect on how we read and misread Revelation, on God making all things new, and climate change action.

Was COP26 a let down for you? Looking at the parable of the Good Samaritan is a reminder both to continue to advocate for the Green Climate fund, but also an end to coal.

Fossil fuel industry at the heart of COP26 negotiations, while it is decided stopping deforestation is important. Sounds a lot like the Garden of Eden in Genesis 3: of serpents and trees.

Christianity is sometimes viewed as being inherently anti-knowledge, particularly anti-science. In this episode I hope to show that the serpent of Genesis 2-3 is no Prometheus, but that the original couple break their covenant relationship with God. Ecclesiastes is not anti empirical knowledge, but simply states that there are limits on what we can know.

People often in argument take recourse to the view that they are entitled to their opinion, and can challenge experts on topics like vaccines and climate change. Christians can be the worst at this. But you are only entitled to what you can argue for, and need to respect expertise.

In a time of rapidly changing climate, people, especially younger people, are experiencing climate change related anxiety. The church has a role, particularly towards its own, to engage in pastoral care, and equip people to process this anxiety and express it positively in the form of activism.