Hello,
Have you ever wondered why so many lives are lost in what many call Natural disasters?

Recently a hurricane Katrina hit where I live, 6 persons were killed in my area and 50 or more in other areas nearby. If God controls the forces in the earth, then why does God allow people to be killed in these kinds of disasters?

Please give your opinions:
Take care,
Hope12

NeedKarma

It has nothing to do with a god of any kind. It's a weather phenomena.

chrisl

NeedKarma comes from the atheist/impersonal God viewpoint. My opinion, however, is that the Bible's view is correct.

Mankind rejected both God's rule AND protection by the rebellion in the Garden of Eden. (Genesis 3) Since then, man has had to endure natural disasters, sickness and death. (Ecclesiastes 9:11)

The issues raised in Job 1 and 2 are also involved. In order to expose Satan's false claim that mankind would abandon God when under trial, God does not step in to prevent human suffering. All who endure faithfully thus add their testimony in the case. (Proverbs 27:11)

But suffering will not be tolerated forever. God will eventually remove all suffering and disasters from the earth permanently when his kingdom rules under his chosen king, Christ Jesus. (Psalm 37; Rev 21:3-4)

Chris

PS: Nice graphic!

(Psalms 83:18 and Isaiah 43:10)

NeedKarma

Chris,

So in essence that's like the arabs in Saudia Arabia driving their cars like reckless fools because if an accident happens it is "the will of Allah" (this is true BTW). Is that a good analogy?

chrisl

No, that's not a good analogy. That's just someone selfishly abusing freewill and then trying to avoid responsibility. A good analogy would be a father allowing an errant child to learn from his mistakes by not protecting him from the consequences of his actions.

Chris

Hope12

Hello Chris,
I received you note but I am new and still have not figured how to reply privately or to rate or all that good suff. Help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Hope12 (Judy)

NeedKarma

But in this case the father is not "smiting" his child because of a perceived bad that he did (ate a forbidden apple"), he's letting him experience the world under his watchful eye.

chrisl

If I tell my son not to stay off the grass and he does it anyway, will he be punished for walking on grass or for disobeying my authority? Adam and Eve willfully disobeyed knowing the consequences of their actions. God is not to blame. They "smote" (?) themselves--and us.

My point is that mankind as a whole has rejected God's protection and God is permitting them to "experience the world under his watchful eye." But God's watchful eye is far more powerful than any human father's. God can permit mankind to experience all the consequences of their rebellion--even death--and still undo it.

Chris

NeedKarma

I simply refuse to believe that I'm paying the price for two fictional characters haven eaten an apple. In the same vein that just because my father beat me (he didn't) doesn't mean that I should beat my children.

Sounds like a mean guy since I did nothing to him.

chrisl

That is your prerogative with the freewill you have been given. But never forget that freewill comes with responsibility and you must accept the results of your choice. The Bible lovingly invites, encourages and yes, even warns everyone to choose wisely but no one will be forced to choose wisely. That is up to us as individuals.

Or another way of looking at it is that God is a supremely loving person who has provided a way out from death and suffering rather than leaving us permanently condemned by Adam and Eve's disobedience. God provides for the long-term benefit of everyone, even though the vast majority currently do nothing to merit such an expression of loving-kindness. That is true unconditional love. Yet most refuse the offer.

Chris