Katrina's horror and Proper Christian Response
I think the tempers have calmed enough for me to comment on Hurricane Katrina's horror and the question of natural evil and the goodness of God. Many secular media outlets are salivating at the opportunity to question Christians of their faith at a time of natural disaster. Apparently, the Goodness, Love, and Mercy of God do not exist alongside natural disasters. I do not deny the devastation of the hurricane and the pain and agony of lost loved ones, my heart goes out the all the victims and refugees (actually a word used by media to suggest the suppression of right-wing republicans on those affected). However, I will make an attempt in the following short time to defend my Lord and Savior from the accusation of (1) God's wrath or (2) the non-existence of God due to the current evil and disaster in the world.
First, the evidence of the existence of evil does not "outweight" or nullify the existence of an All powerful God. If one is to notice the existence of evil and suggest a possible greater good, one must question the notion of a greater good. Is such a notion "self-evident?" Clearly not! If this were so, all men should agree to the greater good that could be obtained or is evident. However, Scripture teaches that in the beginning God created all there was and declared it "very good" (Gen.1:31). Following creation, man disobeyed God causing a chain of reactions throughout all of Creation (noted in Gen.3:13-19). As well, the apostle Paul notes in Roms. 8 that these things (chain reactions due to Sin, in general not personal) continue to this day. However, "we know that the whole creation groans and labors" in pain until this day (Rom.8:22). Even creation itself cries out that something is not quite right.
Second, the question does not lie on the existence of evil but on the cause or the one responsible for the evil. Here in lies the question of "how could and All loving God allow such a horrorific event to occur?" (1) What gives one the notion that God is all loving? if the answer is scripture, then one must align themselves with entirety of scripture to assume responsibility for the massacre of creation that God once referred to as "very good." (2) by noting the event as horrorific is suggesting the partaking of something better. Where were theses things generated? Within self? If so, why could we not wish the hurricane away or better yet just think positively about it to "fix all the problems." (3) one is finally suggesting that God works in a logical way. Events for such a claim would have to only appear in Scripture.
With all these things in mind, how does one make sense of the hurricane and maintain intergrity within their faith. I humbly submit the following as a possible solution: (1) God is not using all things for some greater good. I am well aware of Rom. 8:28, yet this verse is specifically addressing those who "love the Lord and are called according to His purpose." Some things happen as a result of Sin, in general, and can only point to the need of something better. That which is only found in the salvation provided in Christ alone. (2) Scripture teaches that God's heart is greived due to the sin in the world, the cruxifiction is a picture of this. Therefore, we as people of God should "mourn with those who mourn" (Rom.12:15). (3) Recall the story of Job. In the midst of all "chaos" that continued around him, he rose up and declared "I know that my Redeemer lives" (Job 19:25). How? He clearly saw God in the midst of the trial and declared something better to come, a future salvation that rested alone in the God of this universe. (4) Christians, this is your opportunity to give of what you have to those who are in need. "If anyone sees a brother in need and does not have compassion on him, how can the love of God be in Him?" (1st John 3:17). Does our soul ache to see the images of Katrina? Absolutely! As well, our soul looks for we know redemption draws near through the saving knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Something is indeed wrong with this picture. It is the crying of creation for the time when there will be no more tears, or pain, or dying. May my life be a picture of the faithfullness of Christ, that in the midst of all hell breaking lose having the confidence that truly our God reigns.
Can an all-loving, all-powerful God exist in the midst of the apparent existence of such evil in the world. If not, what drives the smiles on the faces of little children? or what is that feeling of love you have for someone? Or how do you explain all things "good" in the world? Man-made? I beg to differ.
"When the relevant difference between the Divine ethics and your own appears to you, you will not, in fact, be in any doubt that the change demanded of you is in the direction you already call 'better.'" - C.S. Lewis in The Problem of Pain
Other great resources:
1.A Creation Order Theodicy- Bruce Little
2. God, Freedom, and Evil- Alvin Plantiga
3. Abolition of Man- C.S. Lewis
4. Many Faces of Evil- John Feinburg
5. Why I am Not A Christian- Bertrand Russell (For the Existence of Evil)
MPS
First, the evidence of the existence of evil does not "outweight" or nullify the existence of an All powerful God. If one is to notice the existence of evil and suggest a possible greater good, one must question the notion of a greater good. Is such a notion "self-evident?" Clearly not! If this were so, all men should agree to the greater good that could be obtained or is evident. However, Scripture teaches that in the beginning God created all there was and declared it "very good" (Gen.1:31). Following creation, man disobeyed God causing a chain of reactions throughout all of Creation (noted in Gen.3:13-19). As well, the apostle Paul notes in Roms. 8 that these things (chain reactions due to Sin, in general not personal) continue to this day. However, "we know that the whole creation groans and labors" in pain until this day (Rom.8:22). Even creation itself cries out that something is not quite right.
Second, the question does not lie on the existence of evil but on the cause or the one responsible for the evil. Here in lies the question of "how could and All loving God allow such a horrorific event to occur?" (1) What gives one the notion that God is all loving? if the answer is scripture, then one must align themselves with entirety of scripture to assume responsibility for the massacre of creation that God once referred to as "very good." (2) by noting the event as horrorific is suggesting the partaking of something better. Where were theses things generated? Within self? If so, why could we not wish the hurricane away or better yet just think positively about it to "fix all the problems." (3) one is finally suggesting that God works in a logical way. Events for such a claim would have to only appear in Scripture.
With all these things in mind, how does one make sense of the hurricane and maintain intergrity within their faith. I humbly submit the following as a possible solution: (1) God is not using all things for some greater good. I am well aware of Rom. 8:28, yet this verse is specifically addressing those who "love the Lord and are called according to His purpose." Some things happen as a result of Sin, in general, and can only point to the need of something better. That which is only found in the salvation provided in Christ alone. (2) Scripture teaches that God's heart is greived due to the sin in the world, the cruxifiction is a picture of this. Therefore, we as people of God should "mourn with those who mourn" (Rom.12:15). (3) Recall the story of Job. In the midst of all "chaos" that continued around him, he rose up and declared "I know that my Redeemer lives" (Job 19:25). How? He clearly saw God in the midst of the trial and declared something better to come, a future salvation that rested alone in the God of this universe. (4) Christians, this is your opportunity to give of what you have to those who are in need. "If anyone sees a brother in need and does not have compassion on him, how can the love of God be in Him?" (1st John 3:17). Does our soul ache to see the images of Katrina? Absolutely! As well, our soul looks for we know redemption draws near through the saving knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Something is indeed wrong with this picture. It is the crying of creation for the time when there will be no more tears, or pain, or dying. May my life be a picture of the faithfullness of Christ, that in the midst of all hell breaking lose having the confidence that truly our God reigns.
Can an all-loving, all-powerful God exist in the midst of the apparent existence of such evil in the world. If not, what drives the smiles on the faces of little children? or what is that feeling of love you have for someone? Or how do you explain all things "good" in the world? Man-made? I beg to differ.
"When the relevant difference between the Divine ethics and your own appears to you, you will not, in fact, be in any doubt that the change demanded of you is in the direction you already call 'better.'" - C.S. Lewis in The Problem of Pain
Other great resources:
1.A Creation Order Theodicy- Bruce Little
2. God, Freedom, and Evil- Alvin Plantiga
3. Abolition of Man- C.S. Lewis
4. Many Faces of Evil- John Feinburg
5. Why I am Not A Christian- Bertrand Russell (For the Existence of Evil)
MPS
posted by michael sapp | 4:14 PM
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