Are “natural disasters” natural? (part 2)
This week as we continue to look at the issue of concurrence, let’s begin where we left off last week. It is well established in scripture that God is in control of all. Most Christians, if not the vast majority, subscribe to that view . . . until . . . So, what is the pause? This pause occurs when God’s control causes pain and suffering. These quakes, hurricanes, tornados, and other events affect people. These disasters are not happening in a vacuum. At times, people lose everything they own and even their very lives. Many Christians are ready to sing and proclaim “God is in Control” (by Twila Paris), but when it comes to human suffering then it is another story. Surely, a loving God would not allow “good and innocent” people (including Christians) to suffer. What we know is that “good” people do suffer, so then the question is “If God loves us, and it says so in John 3:16, then why is there so much pain and suffering in this life?”
Are “natural disasters” natural?
It seems recently that every time I turn on the news, there is breaking news concerning an earthquake somewhere in the world. For weeks, our entire country has been heartbroken as we watched families and friends discover the fate of their loved ones in the mine disaster in West Virginia. Disasters, both natural and man-made which result in pain and suffering cause us to ask . . . WHY? Why does God allow these things to occur? This question has been raised over and over from my friends, church members, and others in my life. I have also heard many different answers to this question.
Doubts about the resurrection are as old as the resurrection
It is that time of year again. Yes, it is Easter and Spring, but I am talking about something else. It is that time of year when the History Channel and Discovery Channel as well as many newspapers, magazines, and other periodicals publish the latest spin that scholars have deduced concerning the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Now don’t get me wrong, I watch them and watch to see what new artifacts and insights have been discovered and it is quite interesting. I was recently forwarded a news article from the Houston Chronicle that I thought . . . well . . . certainly did not fit into the idea of a new discovery concerning the resurrection of Christ. The article was entitled:
“Despite doubts raised by scholars, Easter faith endures” by G. Jeffery MacDonald”
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/life/religion/6929793.html
The title really caught my attention. Doubts raised by scholars? I am not sure if Mr. MacDonald overlooked this, but doubting a “Resurrected Jesus” happened right after the resurection occured and it had nothing to do with scholarship. As a matter of fact, many people cannot even talk about the Apostle Thomas without placing the descriptive term which characterized him for an event right after the resurrection (Doubting Thomas).
Courage exempted . . .
Healthcare . . . most are tired of talking about it, all are probably tired of hearing about it, and everyone has to deal with it. For over a year, our government has been pursuing this issue and now it has passed. For days I have heard how courageous this was; how this is the moral thing to do; and certainly all who care about the poor, must celebrate this “historic event.” So why is it that I, a conservative Christian who has compassion for people, can’t seem to get excited about what is happening? I believe with just a little investigation, I know why I struggle with what is being sold to our country as a compassionate and courageous law.
When the world congratulates sin . . .
I have always been a “rules” kind of guy. I was raised that way. I played sports and when one attempted to go outside the rules, the call was, “FOUL”. Oh, don’t get me wrong, I have a rebellious spirit in me. I attempted many times to get away with something, but I always knew if I got caught, there were consequences to pay and I would have to change the way I played. Even fans like to see the players adhere to the rules. I have never seen fans at a game cheer a player who threw a flagrant foul or applaud as a player purposefully grabbed a facemask.
We all know in our heart what is right and good, so when that is crossed surely there is no admiration for the one who crossed that line, and yet; that is what happened recently when our country applauded teenager, Constance McMillen. continue reading more…
James Hamilton Jr.:
Paul Copan:
R. Albert Mohler Jr.:
J.C. Ryle:
Dr. Martin Lloyd-Jones: