Christians Using Science Badly: Part 2 :: By Wilfred Hahn

Reviewing the “facts” that we cited in Part 1, we noted the hyperbole and downright dishonesty in some instances to support global warming claims. Why is there such bias?

Money Precedes Truth

Global warming has become big business. Armies of global consultants are peddling false information because it is profitable to do so. Many claimed urgencies are exaggerated by factors of 10X … indeed, 200X in some instances and more. Governments are particularly susceptible to this hype, promising infrastructure programs estimated to cost upwards of trillions of dollars.

According to a new report,¹ an estimated $3.4 trillion will be invested in renewable energy during the next decade, including $2.72 trillion in wind and solar. By 2030, 54.1% of installed capacity will be renewable (including hydropower), and 37.9% will be a combination of solar and wind.

This is big business. As such, the dog will not easily give up his bone.

In recent decades, much corruption has come to the surface in the field of science. Scientists do work under many pressures. For example, they must continue to attract funding for their research projects. Moreover, the field of science is very competitive.

We must give credit to the many scholars who do strive for valid and honest conclusions in their research. However, it must be admitted that people wearing white frocks are no more virtuous than anyone else. They are just as subject to the temptations of greed and ambition.

Out of Doom: Is Good News Possible?

To this point, our focus has been on alarmism and the predictions of certain doom for earth. To be balanced, however, we should at least briefly identify some offsetting positives. We list six such trends—out of many more that we could cite. (Again, page references to Dr. Koonin’s observations are shown in parenthesis.)

Good News #1: “[…] Since 1961 […] the per capita supply of vegetable oils and meat has more than doubled, and the supply of food calories per capita has increased by about one-third” (p. 172).

Good News #2: “[…] Deaths due to famine have averaged about two to four per 100,000 since 1980; the rate was ten to twenty times larger in the first half of the twentieth century” (p. 172).

Good News #3: “[…] In the fifty years from 1961 to 2011, global yields of wheat, rice, and maize (corn) have each more than doubled, and US corn yields have more than tripled” (p. 173).

Good News #4: “[…] The increasing concentration of carbon dioxide has been a significant factor in yield improvements, as it boosts the rate of photosynthesis and alters plant physiology to use water more efficiently” (p. 173).

Good News #5: According to the Center for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED), “weather-related death rates fell dramatically during the past one hundred years as the globe warmed 1.2° C (2.2° F); they’re about 80 times less frequent today than they were a century ago” (p. 169).

Good News #6: “Increasing CO2 [carbon dioxide] in the atmosphere had also fertilized the natural world […] during the past four decades; the Leaf Area Index (the fractional area [of earth] covered by leaves) observed by satellites has increased markedly (‘greened’) over 25-50 percent of the vegetated areas of [the] globe, while it has decreased (‘browned’) over less than 4 percent of the globe” (pp. 173-174).

Reviewing the above-cited “good news,” readers will agree that conditions today are not as bad as they may seem. That’s not to say that the world is problem-free.

Interpreting & Fitting Eschatological Facts

In Part 1, we first castigated Christians for misappropriating prophetic “signs of the times” (occurrences mentioned in the Bible but misinterpreted or chronologically misplaced), though there is no biblical evidence at all.

To illustrate, earthquakes are a biblically legitimate end-time trend but misplaced chronologically.

Earthquakes are indeed mentioned in the Bible, with prophetic applications of several kinds. The most well-known reference is found in the Olivet Discourse. All three accounts of the Olivet Discourse or portions thereof (found in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21) confirm the future occurrence of earthquakes.

The Olivet prophecies mention other end-time phenomena occurring besides earthquakes. When the disciples asked Christ, “When shall these things be?” He said the following: “And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows” (Matthew 24:6-8, KJV).

Definitely, the Bible states that an increase in the frequency of earthquakes yet lies ahead for the world. Actually, there are two distinct groups of earthquakes that are yet to occur. First, there is the heightened earthquake activity that unfolds in the first half of the Tribulation period … namely, the time before the “beginning of sorrows,” but after “the end” has started. This contrasts with the trends before “the end is not yet” … which, for example, applies to increasing rumors.

The second period of earthquakes is comprised of five separate occurrences that are mentioned in the Book of Revelation. All of these follow the fifth seal, therefore falling into the Great Tribulation period (namely, the latter 42 months of the 7-year Tribulation). Among this latter group, the biggest earthquake of all time is mentioned (see Revelation 16:18).

Despite this being very clear, some prophecy interpreters insist that an increase in earthquakes is already occurring today. This cannot be, as Christ’s statement places the surge in earthquakes in the first half of the Tribulation. (There are intense debates about this topic.) Many overlook Scripture on this point and make their case on evidence of rising earthquake activity today. However, the facts say no.

The U.S. Geological Survey provides information on earthquake activity worldwide.² As we had noted in earlier examinations of its data, the frequency of large earthquakes is not increasing today. No statistically valid case can be made to support the conclusion that the number of big earthquakes is rising … yet.

Hot Winds?

Returning to our examination of the “global warming” trend today, the penultimate question that begs an answer is this: Are human beings causing climate changes … and do any of these changes lead to “global warming” or other related manifestations? The honest answer from scientists must be this: Nobody knows for sure.

Christians must be similarly careful in their debates with “climate change” advocates. For one, we should be sure of our facts and Scripture. An example is this statement by Dr. Koonin: “Without a doubt, carbon emissions are indeed rising [carbon dioxide and methane mainly] and continue to do so. This cannot be denied.”

Many Christian opponents simply choose to deny this fact … unnecessarily losing credibility. Yet the great debate remains: Do these emissions, which are floating around in the earth’s atmosphere, actually contribute to “global warming”? As mentioned, no one has a sure answer. The facts are inconclusive.

But these facts we can know: There indeed are trends that, if they should continue another 100 years or more, would be disconcerting. Yet, it is also obvious that global warming predictions have been shamelessly exaggerated.

For the time being, there is no global warming crisis.

The second fact we can know with certainty is this: The potential for the earth’s destruction due to climate changes was apparently not deemed important enough to merit a place in the body of Bible prophecy.

Thus, is it logical for the entire world to be moribund with fear about a development that was not first told to the prophets? “Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets” (Amos 3:7).

Thoughts to Ponder

Can it really be that the multiplicity of stakeholders in climate matters—scientists, scientific institutions, activists and NGOs, the media, politicians—are all contributing to misinformation in the matter of climate change? Yes, this is clearly possible.

To say otherwise assumes that one can present a case that mankind caused “global warming.” As the case may be, secular scientists to date have not been able to prove that just such a relationship exists. Yes, emissions continue to rise (as already mentioned), and the earth has warmed a very modest amount over the last century. But no linkages to warming can be proven.

What, then, does the Bible say about global warming? This writer believes the answer is “nothing,” simply for the reason that it is not mentioned in the Bible.

Many prophecy teachers have mistakenly become caught up in “global warming” exaggerations and untruths. They attribute what they see as “climate change” to be an end-time development. This is wrong …. in fact, twice over. First, they, in effect, agree with the contrived allegations and conclusions of “extremist” global warming advocates. Second, they incorrectly identify “signs of the times” and force them into their own alarmist and prophetic timelines. And, practically, if it were not for the effects of higher emissions of CO2 over the past decades, just how many more people would have died from famines due to lower crop yields?

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Wilfred J. Hahn is a global economist/strategist. Formerly a top-ranked global analyst, research director for a major Wall Street investment bank, and head of Canada’s largest global investment operation, his writings focus on the endtime roles of money, economics and globalization. He has been quoted around the world and his writings reproduced in numerous other publications and languages. His 2002 book The Endtime Money Snare: How to live free accurately anticipated and prepared its readers for the Global Financial Crisis. A following book, Global Financial Apocalypse Prophesied: Preserving true riches in an age of deception and trouble, looks further into the prophetic future.

Contact Wilfred at: staff@eternalvalue.com

1 Frost & Sullivan, “Growth Opportunities from Decarbonization in the Global Power Market,” 2019—2030

2 https://www.usgs.gov/programs/earthquake-hazards/earthquakes

In recent times, most everyone seems to agree that we are living in a distressing and worrisome era … not just in America but the entire world. The evidence is all around us, it is claimed. The same is perceived in religion.

Perhaps the reader will have had discussions recently with Christians about world geopolitical affairs and cataclysmic developments as of late. Very likely, the discussion will have ventured into the general topic of the “signs of the times.” Acquaintances of this writer ventured the conclusion that “end-time” phenomena are being witnessed today. (To be correct, according to our understanding, the end times started with the Church Age.) But yes, some end-time signs can be seen as unfolding in our day.

Most certainly, fearsome news is being hyped as rarely before. However, we note much confusion with respect to the “signs” that Christ said would occur.

As a brief foretaste, consider the increase in “rumors of wars” that was prophesied by Christ in the Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24). The trend may well be observed today (pre-Tribulation).

The reader should note that in this writer’s interpretation of this prophecy, it also refers to the increase in “rumors”—not specifically just the increase in “wars,” which is mentioned separately in Matthew 24.

The increase in “rumors of wars” speaks to the explosion of global media and its torrential manufacturing of hyped rumors in our day.

However, as far as this global media is concerned, the miscasting of their “rumors” is of no great concern. Why? Because the more fearmongering, the more alarmism and exaggeration of the news, the better for newspaper subscriptions and the profitability of the media industry in general. That is not to say that the dispersion of misinformation is driven purely by greed. As we will yet opine, there are other agendas as well … i.e., the histrionic global warming advocates.

We must ask this question: Seen overall, are the media’s “rumors” and the end-time speculations of Christians today valid? Just what does science say? What does the Bible say?

Finding Truthful Facts

The reader will be surprised to learn that we are first addressing Christian commentators who are spreading falsehoods about the end times. Indeed, some of them may be doing so innocently. But nonetheless, if we demand that scientists such as “climate change experts” and others rely on valid proofs and facts before publishing their hyped-up reports, then we must demand the same from fearmongering Christians. (Actually, this fear should not be happening at all because Christ expressly exhorted his followers “[…] see to it that you are not alarmed” (Matthew 24:6).

Incorrect interpretations of Biblical prophecy and the gross exaggeration of the “global warming scares” go together in a sense. If literal Bible interpretation and proper hermeneutics are of no value, then it is likely that these teachers will be deceived about global climate agendas and more easily will buy into the perspective that “global warming” is validated as a prophetic “sign of the times.”

Consider this question: In the case of global warming, if something globally destructive and cataclysmic is to occur, as believed by the global warming alarmists, then why would this not be mentioned in Bible prophecy? Listening to the alarmists, we are asked to believe that the entire planet is headed for destruction … that the eradication of mankind is nigh. Again, we ask: Given the purported earth-wide impact of global warming, why would Christ not have mentioned this development in the Olivet Discourse?

We conclude that the Bible does not make any statements about a global climate warming crisis. Therefore, obviously, the Bible does not prophesy global warming. Also, as we will show, the scientific facts are not conclusive for global warming.

We don’t wish to be cantankerous sticklers for no apparent reason. Nevertheless, Scripture is the Word of God, and we should therefore strive to divide it correctly. Anything less, and we are likely to be misled.

And misreporting is unfolding today: We discover that many prophecy commentators make speculative statements about “global warming” … contriving a prophetic connection into certain Bible verses—reading into the Bible what is not there.

For example, a recent article in Christianity Today agrees that there is no specific mention in the Bible about global warming. But then it states that the world will be burned up, citing 2 Peter 3:10: “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.”1

However, careful readers will note that this verse would be taken far out of context if it were used to support the global warming crisis today. The verse refers to the time post-Millennium when all is renewed and the New Jerusalem descends from on high. There is no overheating of crisis proportions revealed in the pre-Tribulational period (the time in which we live today) other than bad science and theology.

Not only do some Christians hype erroneous last-day “signs of the times,” but also, they then swallow the global warming hype as authentic … and not only that, even see it as a specific end-time sign. (Note: While the Roman Catholic Church does not recognize literal pre-millennial eschatology, it is a major supporter of global responses to counteract climate change.)

Bad Trends Everywhere

Just what other purported crisis events and trends are identified, giving rise to fearsome end-time scares? Apparently, it is a long list. Consider the following six:

1.Wildfire outbreaks around the world. Notable ones in 2021 that have been widely reported were in Siberia and California (not to mention many other smaller ones).

2. Increasing incidence of droughts.
3. Rising sea levels and forecasts of further rapid increase … some predicting a rise of 60 feet by the year 2100.
4. Increasing hurricanes (including tornados, typhoons, & cyclones).
5. Rising flood activity.
6. Extreme precipitation perils (rain, snow).

Readers no doubt will have heard reports of these feared developments in the general media.

But consider this: Not one of the six perils listed above is explicitly recorded in Bible prophecy, though it may today be hyped by the media.

On the other hand, as mentioned in the Olivet Discourse, end-time developments are indeed prophesied—i.e., pestilence, famine, earthquakes, wars, and others.

But what does science say about some of these trends that the media wishes to broadcast? Surely, the general media will have quoted the views of science accurately.

Let’s check the facts. Doing so, we draw much info from an important book authored recently by Dr. Steven Koonin, a prominent climate scientist, entitled Unsettled: What Climate Science Tells Us, What It Doesn’t, and Why It Matters. In it, he presents a firmly scientific and balanced view on “climate change.” He notes many falsehoods and biases that are playing out in this field.

We here present a few snippets of Dr. Koonin’s counterarguments to the populist fearmongering. (Note: The numbers in parentheses refer to the page numbers of Dr. Koonin’s book.)

#1 Storms

Alarmist Prediction: It is claimed that storms are becoming more common and more intense, and rising greenhouse gas emissions are going to make it all a lot worse.

Counter Evidence: “There has been no significant trend in the global number of tropical cyclones, nor has any trend been identified in the number of US land-falling hurricanes. […] There have been periods before 1949 that were relatively active compared to the post-1995 era of heightened activity. In other words, there have been times before human influences became significant that were at least as active as today” (p. 117). “As for the media, pointing to hurricanes as an example of the ravages of human-caused climate change is at best unconvincing, and at worst plainly dishonest” (p. 121).

Consider that “annual US deaths from tornadoes have fallen by more than a factor of ten since 1875 (currently about 0.02 per 100,000 people), largely due to improved radar warnings […] The best we can say is that, if anything, US tornadoes have become more benign as the globe has warmed over the past seventy-five years, and we have no credible method for projecting future changes” (p. 126).

#2 Precipitation Perils (rain, snow)

Alarmist Prediction: Extreme weather trends have been caused by Global Warming.

Counter Evidence. “There is no evidence of increase in precipitation at the global scale in response to the observed global warming” (p. 132). “The modest changes in US rainfall during the past century haven’t changed the average incidence of floods. However, trends in flooding vary across the country, with some locations experiencing increases and some decreases” (p. 137).

#3 Droughts and Dryness

Alarmist Prediction: This is claimed to lead to wildfire and low agricultural yields.

Counter Evidence: A study [the AR5] says that they find “low confidence in a global-scale trend in drought or dryness since the middle of the 20th century” (p. 138). “These data reveal that some droughts in the past have been more severe and longer lasting than any experienced in the last 100 years” (p. 140).

#4 Fires

Alarmist Prediction. The incidence of wildfire is increasing … and is predicted to expand uncontrollably due to global warming.

Counter Evidence. “Despite the very destructive wildfires in 2020, that year was among the least active globally since 2003” (p. 142). “[The] global area burned by fires each year has declined by 25% since observations began in 1998” (p. 11).

Reviewing the above-mentioned claims, we note the hyperbole … and downright dishonesty in some instances. Why is there such bias?

Next issue, we continue with Part 2.

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1 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/christian-life/what-does-the-bible-say-about-climate-change.html

Wilfred J. Hahn is a global economist/strategist. Formerly a top-ranked global analyst, research director for a major Wall Street investment bank, and head of Canada’s largest global investment operation, his writings focus on the endtime roles of money, economics and globalization. He has been quoted around the world and his writings reproduced in numerous other publications and languages. His 2002 book The Endtime Money Snare: How to live free accurately anticipated and prepared its readers for the Global Financial Crisis. A following book, Global Financial Apocalypse Prophesied: Preserving true riches in an age of deception and trouble, looks further into the prophetic future.

Contact Wilfred at: staff@eternalvalue.com