The news stories continue, ad nauseum, as to whom to blame for the tragic events surrounding Hurricane Katrina and the aftermath of her destructive trip through the northern gulf coast. You can pretty safely detect a person’s political persuasion by whom he holds most responsible. If you find George W. Bush most to blame, you’re most likely a Democrat. If you place the blame on the ineptness of local and state officials–or on the failure of the victims to heed the warnings to evacuate–you likely vote Republican or Libertarian.
Unless you’re inclined the think that compliance with the Kyoto Treaty would have prevented the global warming which spawned Katrina in the first place, then you probably categorize her as a “natural” phenomenon. From the viewpoint of a materialist atheist (or even a Deist) this fits perfectly. All events have a natural explanation. Nature is all there is. Natural forces are the only forces which exert any influence on the universe. Therefore pain and suffering should be embraced as the inevitable result of our interaction with the natural forces of our universe. This nihilistic outlook is what a consistent atheist SHOULD embrace.
This should also be the logical conclusion of a theology which attempts to absolve or “protect” God from any responsibility for the pain and suffering caused by disasters such as Katrina. I’ve read statements such as, “no one deserved to have this happen to them, it just happened.” This statement betrays a human-centered philosophy which claims the intrinsic goodness of mankind.
The biblical view is just the opposite, “we all deserve to have this happen, it happens as a result of the curse brought BY GOD upon the descendants of Adam.” Because Adam failed the test, we are sinners by nature (having Adam’s sin imputed to us) and we are cursed. Cursed to suffer. Cursed to work and struggle against the elements. Cursed to die. These events don’t just happen. They are the direct result of the curse. Instead of asking, “why do bad things happen to good people?” the more appropriate question is “why don’t bad things happen more often?” Like Jesus, we should look upon the suffering crowd with compassion because they suffer like sheep without a shepherd. Those of us who have placed our trust in Christ to make us right with God suffer as well, but we suffer as sheep WITH a shepherd. We hurt, we suffer, we die. But we have a shepherd who provides our deepest need, who leads us beside still water, who restores our soul. Let us purpose to show goodness and mercy to those who suffer since we know that suffering has a reason. Let us also not fall in love with this world and its ways. Rather let us long for the day when the earth ceases its groanings and is renewed to its place of glory. This should be our hope and our message of hope to those who suffer.
Hey Ken,
Greetings from a past church mate.
I couldn’t agree more, and have been convicted of late about this. I know I’m getting tired of all the “blame” from both sides (conservatives too!!). I am not listening to Rush or Hannity this week for that reason. A Christ centered approach is all that makes sense anymore, and thankfully, it does seem the church is really stepping up this time. You know the song, Blessed Be Your Name, well the line goes “You give and take away, my heart will choose to say, Lord blessed be Your name”. And you know that comes from the book of Job, after he lost his family to the tornado. If we try to assign human reasons that don’t focus on God alone, we perpetuate the sin of setting up an idol. We must glorify Him in the good and bad. It’s taken a long time for me to realize that conservatives are as guilty as liberals during times like this of not pointing to God.
The other conclusion I’ve reached ties in with eschatology :). I don’t know the times or the seasons, and still haven’t reconciled the prophecy in Matthew 24, but I do have a better sense of what it means for my conduct. Let me explain.
Go to Matthew 25, which follows the prophecy in ch 24, and you get the parable of the talents (stewardship). Followed by the judgement of the sheep and goats. “They will ask, when did I see you naked, hungry, etc.? And he answered, “When you did it to the least of these, you did it to me.”
Which leads me to this forehead popping conclusion. It doesn’t matter when/how Christ returns. Our focus is to be on being salt and light in a lost and dying world. By all means sharing the gospel, but also in physical acts of love and compassion. Isn’t this what James teaches as well? Which also leads to this conclusion – The hurricane/Tsunami/earthquake are cases of man not being able to explain the forces of God’s creation, and subsequent judgement. It is arrogance on man’s part to try and either blame or determine how to avoid the consequences. God’s mercy sustains us, even while His judgement condemns our sin. It’s the same message as that on the cross. God was saving us with His mercy while judging sin with Christ’s death.
The left blames govt, Bush, global warming, etc. while the right blames the governor, the mayor, poor choices on the part of residents. Meanwhile, the church is rising up to bring compassion when needed, mercy when needed, and opening a door to bring the ultimate message of hope and relief of the cross. And, God becomes the focal point, as the only one honor of glory.
God bless,
Tony Drake
What do you think about this viewpoint from Tony Campolo?
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It breaks my heart. I always thought of Tony Campolo as a profound speaker and thinker. Recently, however, I’m concerned that he’s watering down the message in order to make it appealing to the humanist-thinkers of the world.
Apparently, Paul is guilty of dishonoring God. This is what I take from Tony’s quote of Rom. 8:28.
I find it amazing the number of folks jumping on the “openness” bandwagon in order to keep God’s hands clean of all the pain and suffering that goes on in the world. It reminds me of the character of God as portrayed in the early 80s movie, “Time Bandits”. In this film, God is a dottering old man who is somewhat forgetful yet has tremendous power over the elements.
A god like this is unable to control the free-will actions of people and must continually REACT to the environment.
Contrary to Campolo and Rabbi Kushner, the Hebrew Scriptures (read Genesis, Job, etc.) show God to be in complete control over his creation. His very name, “I Am” is descriptive of his self-existence–His very nature is “being”, not “becoming”.
I used to like Tony too, but we don’t have quite as many beliefs in common anymore. Has he gone to Judaism? He seems to like quoting Rabbis a lot these days.
If God is as weak as Tony says, let’s pack it up guys and drink and be merry for tomorrow we die.
I fear that Tony’s zealousness for social impact coupled with his giant heart for the homeless has pushed him to this conclusion. It is a hard thing to see people suffer and keep a constant balance of God’s role. It is a glaring reminder that we must stay in the Word and not try to wrestle out an answer to evil at all costs. I am convinced the best remedy for understanding tragedy in balance with sovereighty is not an answer, but an example – Christ on the Cross and risen from the grave!
This is off the subject of disaster relief and blame, but more about Tony and apologetics about God’s power in general. Here is an example of where Tony has gone in recent years. The point of this entire site is very very disturbing. “Gay Christian”. Tony and his wife’s views are way out of touch with the clear biblical view IMO. He is part of this discussion here and is more than sympathetic to their plight.
http://www.gaychristian.net/campolos.php
If previous argument is that God is not all powerful, then homosexuality could also just be a sad genetic defect right? 🙁
This is a subject for a whole other blog. Gay Christians that are proclaiming it? Complete with national conferences? Wow!
Yes this needs to be another topic before we continue on the homosexual topic — as I am more sympathetic to Tony’s view in this case.
I highly recommend listening to the recordings CA linked to. Tony’s opening story about speaking for the Episcopal church is a classic.
In the mean time, it seems apologizing and taking responsibility is the new trend when it comes to the blame game. Those waiting on God’s apology will be disappointed I guess. ;^)
Will sombody please consider a new blog on this subject referencing Tony Campolo? I think it would be a good discussion. IMO. I would be glad to if I was granted the “power”. ;