date: Mon, 12 Jul 2004 23:13:53 +0100
from: "Martin Young" <mjy@ntlworld.com>
subject: RE: LICC - Connecting with Culture - The day after tomorrow
to: "Mike Hulme" <m.hulme@uea.ac.uk>

   Dear Mike

   Thanks very much that's really good stuff. The link I'd make is that God's promise for the
   new (messianic) age in the kingdom of God is of a renewed world where lions, lambs,
   children, snakes etc cuddle up together. In a world that rightly fears the onward decay of
   our environment, that is very good news - God is the saviour of the creation. Jesus'
   resurrection spells the new creation and through faith in him we have that hope for
   ourselves

   Love

   Martin


   -----Original Message-----
   From: Mike Hulme [mailto:m.hulme@uea.ac.uk]
   Sent: 12 July 2004 16:46
   To: Martin Young
   Subject: Fwd: LICC - Connecting with Culture - The day after tomorrow


   Martin,
   Re. conversation yesterday ... here below is a short commentary on the film from Sir John
   Houghton, via LICC.  Sir John is a colleague of mine and a leading international climate
   scientist and who happens to be a Christian.
   I will explore whether I can get film clips by September on CDROM.  Happy to help out if I
   can.  I read Isaiah 11, but not quite sure what line you would take to make the link.
   You might also follow this story from Rowan Williams - I suspect he is following the lead
   taken by Right Rv James Jones, Bishop of Liverpool, who has taken seriously the
   environmental theology of Scripture from an evangelical perspective.
   Mike
   ====================
   "The Archbishop of Canterbury also joined the climate change debate this
   week... The Church of England has declared its support for a challenging
   proposal to tackle the threat of climate change. Dr Rowan Williams, says
   the plan, known often as "contraction and convergence", offers a way to
   act justly towards the poorest. The idea says all the Earth's people have
   equal rights to cause pollution. Already endorsed by other faith groups,
   it says nobody, however rich, should cause more than their allotted share.
   [1]http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/3866543.stm
   =======================

   wftw184.gif   connecting with culture
   the day after tomorrow
   A scientist once told me, "No way can we Americans change our lifestyle; we just have to
   fix the biosphere." If only it were that simple.
   In January, I attended the World Economic Forum in Davos, to debate whether human-induced
   climate change is actually a weapon of mass destruction.
   We've known for two centuries now that increased 'greenhouse gases' result in global
   warming. As sea levels rise, we experience greater extremes of climate; disasters, such as
   floods and droughts, will become more frequent and intense, causing more death, misery and
   economic loss than anything else. It's predicted that by 2050 there will be 150 million
   environmental refugees.
   The Day After Tomorrow explores such potential mass destruction. Set in the US, it begins
   with a debate among scientists about climate change. While they can't agree and the
   politicians dither, the climate changes (Hollywood style), unleashing devastating storms on
   the northern hemisphere, and plunging it into a deep freeze.
   Despite its exaggeration - in both scale and speed - the film vividly demonstrates how we
   are at the mercy of the climate, and how our human actions will provoke faster change than
   at any time in the last 10,000 years.
   The Gospel of Matthew records that religious and political leaders once came to Jesus
   asking for a sign. Jesus said that they were good at forecasting the weather but not at
   interpreting 'the signs of the times'. He challenged their power base with radical messages
   about what the kingdom of God is really about.
   Today, we read the `signs in the sky' even more skilfully; and yet we are still no better
   at interpreting the signs of the times. The challenge to act is very clear. But we don't
   take seriously enough our God-given responsibility to care for the Earth and our fellow
   humans, especially the poor and disadvantaged.
   Luke tells the same story and stresses the importance of seeking the kingdom of God above
   all else. Two contrasting parables in the same chapter (12) - of the rich fool, whose goal
   was to increase his wealth, and the faithful steward, who carefully managed his master's
   household in his absence - should challenge us in the affluent West. Jesus concluded, 'From
   everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been
   entrusted with much, more will be asked.'
   500 million people are expected to watch The Day After Tomorrow. We must pray that they
   pick up that message.
   Sir John Houghton
   Sir John is co-chair of the Scientific Assessment Working Group of the Intergovernmental
   Panel on Climate Change and was formerly chief executive of the Meteorological Office.

   it's predicted that by 2050 there will be 150 million environmental refugees
   we don't take seriously enough our God-given responsibility to care for the Earth and our
   fellow humans
   TOMORROW (June 5th) - If you're within striking distance of Oxford, and need some
   inspiration in your work, you may be interested in an event which aims to help people
   connect faith and work and recapture a sense of calling to business. For more information
   and to book, visit [2]www.inspiringbusiness.info or call 07940 280949
   Did you know that in the UK there's one CCTV camera for every 14 people? Or that if you're
   in London you could be caught on camera up to 300 times a day? But fear not! Someone's
   watching them whatching us and he's speaking very soon at LICC. Join us and Prof David Lyon
   on Monday 14th June at 6.45pm. Held at LICC, 6 on the door. Please book in advance if you
   can. For more infomation please see [3]http://www.licc.org.uk/events/event.php/id/84
   The London Institute for Contemporary Christianity
   St Peter's, Vere St, London, W1G 0DQ   (t) 020 7399 9555   (e) mail@licc.org.uk   Visit
   [4]www.licc.org.uk for articles and events listings.
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