Chapter 9
Climate Change and Eschatology
Kurt Bangert
Abstract Global Warming and other environmental hazards have conjured up
among Bible readers an impending end-time apocalypse. Based on a previous paper
offering three biblical eschatological scenarios (the Rainbow Model, the Nineveh
Model and the Apocalypse Model), this paper expands on the three scenarios, giving
more theological and, if any, historical background. While the Rainbow Model
(Noah’s flood story) assumes that another worldwide destruction will never again
take place and the Apocalypse Model (Jesus’ end-time expectation) assumes the ultimate end-time world annihilation, the Nineveh Model (Jonah’s doomsday message)
assumes that the prospect of an envisioned end-time annihilation can be avoided
through repentance and a change of behavior. For each scenario, this paper looks at
possible historical roots and the theological intent. The result of the study suggests
that each of the three narratives (Noah, Jesus, Jonah) is characterized by an inherent
component of contingency, explicit or not, and that none of them is unequivocally
unconditional. Each narrative assumes the basic tenet of God’s compassion and mercy
in light of man’s willingness to change heart. Explicit or not, all biblical predictions
entail contingencies that make it impossible for man to exactly predict the future.
While the biblical covenants put man into a special relationship with God, God
remains at all times sovereign and supreme to extend His mercy and compassion to
whomever He wishes if and whenever man confesses his sins and changes his ways.
Three End-Time Scenarios Revisited
Global warming, environmental degradation and the extinction of many species at
times conjure up doomsday scenarios of an impending end-time apocalypse. In light
of humanity’s relentless exploitation of nature, some orthodox people interpret such
apocalyptic end-time scenarios as the fulfilment of biblical eschatological prophecies
about the end of the world. Without any doubt, there are such biblical end-time
prophecies: “Heaven and earth will pass away.” (Mt 24:35 ESV) Or: “We are looking
K. Bangert (B)
Bad Nauheim, Germany
e-mail: kontakt@kurtbangert.de
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
J. M. Luetz and P. D. Nunn (eds.), Beyond Belief, Climate Change Management,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-67602-5_9
157
Climate Change and Eschatology
Kurt Bangert
Abstract Global Warming and other environmental hazards have conjured up
among Bible readers an impending end-time apocalypse. Based on a previous paper
offering three biblical eschatological scenarios (the Rainbow Model, the Nineveh
Model and the Apocalypse Model), this paper expands on the three scenarios, giving
more theological and, if any, historical background. While the Rainbow Model
(Noah’s flood story) assumes that another worldwide destruction will never again
take place and the Apocalypse Model (Jesus’ end-time expectation) assumes the ultimate end-time world annihilation, the Nineveh Model (Jonah’s doomsday message)
assumes that the prospect of an envisioned end-time annihilation can be avoided
through repentance and a change of behavior. For each scenario, this paper looks at
possible historical roots and the theological intent. The result of the study suggests
that each of the three narratives (Noah, Jesus, Jonah) is characterized by an inherent
component of contingency, explicit or not, and that none of them is unequivocally
unconditional. Each narrative assumes the basic tenet of God’s compassion and mercy
in light of man’s willingness to change heart. Explicit or not, all biblical predictions
entail contingencies that make it impossible for man to exactly predict the future.
While the biblical covenants put man into a special relationship with God, God
remains at all times sovereign and supreme to extend His mercy and compassion to
whomever He wishes if and whenever man confesses his sins and changes his ways.
Three End-Time Scenarios Revisited
Global warming, environmental degradation and the extinction of many species at
times conjure up doomsday scenarios of an impending end-time apocalypse. In light
of humanity’s relentless exploitation of nature, some orthodox people interpret such
apocalyptic end-time scenarios as the fulfilment of biblical eschatological prophecies
about the end of the world. Without any doubt, there are such biblical end-time
prophecies: “Heaven and earth will pass away.” (Mt 24:35 ESV) Or: “We are looking
K. Bangert (B)
Bad Nauheim, Germany
e-mail: kontakt@kurtbangert.de
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
J. M. Luetz and P. D. Nunn (eds.), Beyond Belief, Climate Change Management,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-67602-5_9
157