(from an article by NY Times writer James Wood)
“Terrible catastrophes inevitably encourage appeals to God. We who are, at present, unfairly luckier, whether believers or not, might reflect on the almost invariably uncharitable history of theodicy, and on the reality that in this context no invocation of God beyond a desperate appeal for help makes much theological sense. For either God is punitive and interventionist (the Robertson view), or as capricious as nature and so absent as to be effectively nonexistent (the Obama view). Unfortunately, the Bible, which frequently uses God’s power over earth and seas as the sign of his majesty and intervening power, supports the first view; and the history of humanity’s lonely suffering decisively suggests the second.”
The writer James Wood is commenting on Pat Robertson’s remarks that Haiti made a pact with the devil and is today suffering the consequences of that action. In his article he is reflecting on one of the most hotly debated issues in the history of the world. Is there a God? If there is why does he allow evil?
A Perspective on Death
We who have been struck by tragedy suffer the terrible pain of loss. The loss only exists because we love. I believe, as the saying goes, it is far better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all. The loss of a loved one in an atheistic world view is permanent and catastrophic. In a Christian view it is a painful but temporary loss that will be overcome by Jesus Christ’s glorious triumph over death.
1 Cor 15: 53, “For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 54, When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory. 55, Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”
To a Christian death is the passage of a person into eternity. We pass through death and the sorrows of life as one would pass through hostile territory to reach a place of safety. In view of our temporary condition we should live life getting to know God with whom we will be spending eternity. We should also do our best to do what is right knowing that life is to be lived in the light of eternity. Have we lived our lives loving God and people? The point is in Christ, death does not have the final say, but is part of our journey as human beings.
Our lives are temporary as we are called to live fulfilling God’s purpose for our lives until we are again united with Him.
2nd Cor 4:17, “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18, So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
We must never minimize the suffering of others because to do so would be callous. It is also not the Christian ideal to blame people for their suffering while they are hurting and in pain. Christ delivered, healed, and blessed many who were far from God in the midst of their suffering. To do so is a sign of God’s saving love and grace. It is God’s way of demonstrating His love so that people will remember it and serve Him. Jesus also warned them, “Go and sin no more lest something worse come upon you.”
The bigger question is not whether God caused the tragedy in Haiti, but are we ready to face God in death? If you believe in eternity the sting of death is removed. It is by the triumph of eternal life given to the world as a gift when we put our faith in Christ’s power to conquer death for us. The question I pose is not who is worthy or what religion is right but one of power. God invested the power to conquer death in Christ. Faith in Him breaks deaths power over our lives. His resurrection proved that.
The Christian world view mitigates the pain with a promise from God that death is God’s last enemy to be destroyed. (1 Cor 15:26) The love of God in the Christian worldview is about taking tragedy and turning into triumph. God cared so much that He came to the earth in Jesus to teach us the way out of death. Jesus wept when He was at the tomb of a friend named Lazarus. Jesus was saddened by death’s power over our lives and our doubt that He has the power to deliver us from death. God hates death and does not delight in the death of the wicked. (Ezekiel 33:11) In a Christian worldview death is leaving the world of hatred, pain, suffering, war, disease, and sorrow to be eternally in the presence of God. In the Christian worldview God sees death as a release from a fallen and sinful world. He allowed death so humanity would have relief from evil. Imagine sickness, war, disease, and suffering with no end. In God’s plan death puts an end to all suffering and death.
1st Thess 4:13, “Brothers and sisters, we want you to know about those Christians who have died so you will not be sad, as others who have no hope. 14, We believe that Jesus died and that he rose again. So, because of him, God will raise with Jesus those who have died. 15, What we tell you now is the Lord’s own message.