Periodical "What the Heck?"

Conservative Evangelical leader Dr. James Dobson - along with other representatives of the Religious Right - has sent a letter to the chairman of the National Association of Evangelicals requesting that they either move to rein in Rev. Richard Cizic, head of the NAE's Washington office, for his advocacy on the climate change issue or demand his resignation. Cizic has been vocal on behalf of the NAE in support of calls to action and admissions that climate change is a result of human activity. According to the letter, by having a position on climate change, Cizic is "threatening the unity" of the NAE. It should be noted that none of the letter's signatories are members of the NAE.

So, what's the big deal? Is Cizic letting climate change dominate his time and his work in bringing Evangelical conviction to bear on the Washington political scene?

I really do not understand all the fuss. Is a position on climate change that differs from the views of some prominent leaders really a big problem? Would we be better served by an NAE spokesperson who focused solely on pro-life and marriage issues? While I think those are surely important issues (especially, in my opinion, the abortion issue), if someone is in Washington speaking for me, I want him or her to speak with thoughtful evangelical conviction on all the issues currently facing our society.

With the recent resurgence of interest in William Wilberforce, one would think that Evangelicals would learn that real societal change comes from taking consistent positions on EVERY issue of the day. Wilberforce and the Clapham Saints were leaders of hundreds of efforts to make the world a better place - from the abolition of the slave trade to the humane treatment of animals. Why - according to some leaders - should we limit ourselves to three or four pet issues today?

I really do not understand. I want my biblical worldview to inform every area of my life from the way I raise a family to the way I decide what car to drive. Can't I be pro-life and a creation care advocate at the same time? Can't I believe in free enterprise and social justice? I hope I can.