EINO

We are called to build our lives on the strong foundation of Jesus Christ and our lives should be characterized by a devotion to the truth of God's Word. Psalm 25 states:
4 Show me Your ways, O Lord; Teach me Your paths.
5 Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day.
6 Remember, O Lord, Your tender mercies and Your lovingkindnesses, For they are from of old.

Just because it has a Christian label on it, doesn't mean that it is operating consistent with Biblical truth. We have to be discerning with respect to what we consume spiritually, because there is a smorgasbord of religious information available, which is not the same as Biblical truth.  So, we can make sure that we are basing our decisions on the Word of God and measuring our intake by the principles of the Scriptures, so that we can be firmly devoted to Christ.

+++++

In 2nd Timothy 2, Paul charges Timothy to be faithful in the work of the Lord and the application of Scripture. In verse 15, he writes:
15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Later, we can read these words:
19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity."
20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor.
21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.

Just because an organization uses the word "evangelical" in its title doesn't mean that it represents evangelical Christianity.  So, when you talk about the National Association of Evangelicals, you must scrutinize what that organization represents.

A few months ago, a Christian denomination, the Presbyterian Church in America, announced that it would no longer be a member of the NAE.  According to a piece from Emily McFarlan Miller, who writes for Religion News Service, published at MinistryWatch.org, the resolution, called an "overture...," called out "NAE's advocacy work." The article states:

The NAE has “frequently intermeddled in civil affairs,” according to the overture. It points to a 2011 statement by the association meant to spark discussion on how climate change impacts vulnerable populations, the organization’s past efforts supporting immigration reform and its 2015 change of heart on the death penalty, which it had previously supported.

The overture specifically names the Fairness for All Act drafted by the National Association of Evangelicals and the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities. The act calls for federally recognized protections for sexual orientation and gender identity alongside strong religious exemptions.

Writing at Juicy Ecumenism in 2012, Mark Tooley of the Institute on Religion and Democracy said:

“World” magazine publisher Marvin Olasky reports in the August 11 issue that, in a change from earlier reports, the National Association of Evangelicals is not at this time seeking further funding from the National Campaign for the Prevention of Teen and Unmarried Pregnancy (NCPTUP). As Olasky describes, NCPTUP “promotes contraceptives for the unmarried.” The group is in turn funded by the pro-choice Hewlett Foundation, which funds abortion rights advocacy.

The overall grant from the organization was a million dollars over several years.

So, there have already been problematic actions taken by the National Association of Evangelicals, but only recently, it decided to weigh in further on the climate change issue. Newsmax reported two weeks ago that:

In a 50-page report issued this week, NAE leaders addressed the scientific evidence of the "reality of climate change" and the role of greenhouse gas emissions in that process.

The report — "Loving the Least of These" — also covered climate change from the theological and personal perspectives, while outlining biblical arguments for environmental stewardship.

A number of years ago, the Christian organization, the Cornwall Alliance for the Stewardship of Creation, had posted a letter urging NAE not to take a stand on this controversial issue.  It said:

We are evangelicals and we care about God s creation. However, we believe there should be room for Bible-believing evangelicals to disagree about the cause, severity and solutions to the global warming issue.

Further, we signatories who are members of the NAE believe that if the NAE wishes to take an official position on global warming or any other issue, it should do so through its formal process within the general council. Individual NAE members or staff should not give the impression that they are speaking on behalf of the entire membership, so as not to usurp the credibility and good reputation of the NAE.

Signatories at the time included the late Chuck Colson and D. James Kennedy, as well as James Dobson, Richard Land, David Barton, and others.

The Capstone Report offers some analysis of this "green" push from the NAE...

... the NAE report claims, “We worship God by caring for creation.” The justification for all of this focus on the environment is the harm it allegedly causes the poor. NAE President Walter Kim explains in the forward, “Although the changing environment impacts all of us, the disproportionate devastation upon the most defenseless must break God’s heart.”

In other words, climate change harms the poor (or least of these) and requires Christian action. The action advocated by NAE? In the “Join the Good Work” it urges Christians to “join in advocating for wise action to decrease our carbon footprint, provide international assistance, promote sustainability and consider climate change in any long-term plans.”

The NAE, according to the website, is also promoting ESG investing.

But, the Cornwall Alliance points out:

In developed countries, the poor spend a higher percentage of their income on energy than others, so rising energy prices, driven by mandated shifts from abundant, affordable, reliable fossil fuels to diffuse, expensive, intermittent “Green” energy, will in effect be regressive taxes—taxing the poor at higher rates than the rich.

Yesterday, I explored how the push to combat climate change has resulted in a fear-based mentality that will lead to authoritarian measures to allegedly save the planet, which, by the way, doesn't need saving - the Creator is sovereignly in charge, and He and He alone will make a decision in the future to judge this planet and create a new heavens and a new earth.  The climate change agenda will lead to global initiatives, which will one day be encapsulated in a one-world government, just like we see in Revelation.  

As I have shared, the National Association of Evangelicals has failed to represent the Biblical beliefs of professing Christians in a number of areas.  It has compromised with the gay agenda through its support for "Fairness for All" and has seemingly bought into the climate change hysteria. It even has received funding from a pro-abortion group. My philosophy is that if it says, NAE, to stay away from it. 

There do seem to be some good people who are associated with NAE, but, all in all, there is a concerning direction of this organization.  We have to be discerning about those who choose to represent us - we should always make our decisions based on the principles of Scripture, not by the name of an organization.  One could even say that the NAE is "Evangelical in Name Only."  In our own pursuits, we should strive to be Christians - not in name only - but in our devotion to truth.