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Don't blame the Haitians
Q: Many have criticized Pat Robertson's suggestion that the catastrophic earthquake in Haiti was the work of the devil or a form of divine punishment. But if one believes God is good and intervenes in the world, why does God allow innocents to suffer? What is the best scriptural text or explanation of that problem you've ever read?
When seeing the unimaginable suffering in Haiti right now, I think it just makes matters so much worse to think that God had something to do with this or somehow allowed it to happen.
The notion that God could stand idly by watching His children suffer and die is an unbearable and unbelievable concept to me. The Christian Science theology I follow describes God as unconditional, unlimited divine Love. It is never a question of God's willingness, ability and power to help and heal. And yet, we always have the opportunity to turn to Him and understand more of His gracious love for us.
It's not God's fault or the Haitians' fault or anyone else's fault for this catastrophe. So where does that leave us? Well, for me, as a Christian, I can only share the questions I ask myself: If I have any understanding of God and His Christ, what am I doing to bring this to others in such desperate need?
I don't want to undervalue the importance of relief efforts ongoing right now in Haiti. These are vital and so much more is needed. But if we are trying to figure out where God is in all this, I would say we are asking the wrong question. I ask myself often, where am I with God? And how is my life reflecting His Love, especially in a world capable of such horror.
Rather than citing just one scriptural text, I would rather cite all four Gospels in the New Testament as evidence of God's all-embracing Love. Whenever Jesus encountered suffering or illness or even death, he did something about it. He was not apathetic, detached or arbitrary in his care and love for others. He did not ask about a person's religious affiliations or past history before healing them. When he fed the five thousand with a few loaves of bread and fishes, there was no Christianity litmus test to see if they were worthy to be fed. He fed them, loved them, healed them.
Shouldn't the same be said of us? And isn't that the best way of proving God's great love for all his children?
By
Phil Davis
|
January 21, 2010; 1:24 PM ET
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Posted by: etccs | January 29, 2010 11:01 PM
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Its obvious to everyone that God allowed it! The question is Why?
"The notion that God could stand idly by watching His children suffer and die is an unbearable and unbelievable concept to me." Oh! How come? He did so when Jewish religious leaders tortured and killed his only-begotten Son! (John 3:16) That's one scriptural text! God allowed this to ransom mankind from sin and death and atone for Adam's sin and cancel that debt, as well as vindicate himself as the Creator and Sovereign. (Matthew 20:28; Romans 3:23-26; Hebrews 4:15)
The Bible shows that Satan the Devil is the ruler of this world, is misleading this world, and has "great anger knowing he has a short period of time." (Revelation 12:9, 12) Earthquakes happen all the time in this area, but if corruption, greed and disobedience occur, the earthquake will be a 'great earthquake' as Jesus said in the gospels in Luke 21:10, 11.
Jesus is a bit like a weather forecaster. He predicts what will happen, but doesn't cause it, doesn't like it, nor want it! But this is the result of human independence from God, which results in disaster and the devil being thrown out of heaven after the short war in heaven that started in 1914. (Jeremiah 10:23, 24; Revelation 12:7-10)
Soon, God will end human rule once and for all! (Daniel 2:44; Revelation 21:1-5) Look the scriptures up in your own copy of the Bible and then visit http://www.watchtower.org/e/200709/article_01.htm
Posted by: Stokey | January 29, 2010 7:09 AM
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"But if we are trying to figure out where God is in all this, I would say we are asking the wrong question."
It is simply amazing that so many religious leaders can all come to the same answer to theodicy: it's the wrong question. Of course, it really isn't that amazing. As Dan Dennett says, there is no answer for supernatural believers. But it is remarkable that so many people can rationalize their beliefs so easily.
I assume most of these people have taken a test before and realize they don't get any points if they say a question is the wrong one. Why do they think they can get away with it for such a big question?
Posted by: NorwegianShooter | January 27, 2010 12:35 AM
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I agree with Mr. Davis. The nature of God as infinite good would preclude His causing or allowing such horrible things to happen. God is not the problem, but is the solution. God is good, the destruction in Haiti is bad. God can help, because good can help. Good is helping in the relief effort. We need more good. We need God more. We need more of God in our lives. We need more good in our lives. We can embrace the people of Haiti with love. That is good. Jesus embraced people with the love of God, proving God is the solution, not the problem.