One day some the members of Jesus’ inner circle came to him with a question about judgment.
Trying to get their theology straight, they pointed out a man blind from birth and asked where to pin the blame.
Was it this guy who did something wrong or was it his parents? What caused God to curse him like this?
And Jesus explained to them that it wasn’t the anger of God or the judgment of God on display in the man’s life, but rather the assignment of God. That his condition was not a curse, but instead a canvas for God’s work to be displayed. (ref)
And then he restored the man’s sight.
Strangely, it seems that every time disaster strikes these days, whether it be hurricanes in New Orleans or the recent earthquake in Haiti, there is no shortage of supposed followers of Jesus rushing to blame the victims and declare the “judgment” of God upon them.
The very ones who could rattle off from memory that,“…all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God,” seem to spend these times of crisis concocting theories about how somehow the recipients of tragedy are especially sinful and deserving of divine destruction.
Enough already.
The assignment is clear, the canvas is prepared.
This is not a time for theories or excuses or recriminations. This is a time for action.
Let’s get to work.
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For information on the situation in Haiti, places to contribute, and tips for avoiding scam charities see this post by Peter Greenberg.
You can also contribute through my friends at Help Heal Haiti.
Image credit despardes.com
That and instead of love and compassion, stupid political jokes…I am the first one to want to laugh, but I don’t want to hear it from the people that are supposed to be loving….well, I think you know what I mean…
Love can be funny, just ask my wife.
Humor can also be great for sliding into difficult topics that people would otherwise avoid.
Although in times like this is it more often used to avoid reality.
Very true. I’ve never understood how those who would lay blame to the victims explain tragedy in their own neighborhoods.
You are so very right about the canvas. My greatest period growth and personal development was during a time of greatest difficulty.
Thanks for your thoughts.
Probably that they are such a “threat” to evil that the devil is out to get them. That’s how self-serving logic usually seems to work.
Heads I win, Tails you lose.
Also, as much as we can grow in our own unpleasant situations, I think there is a fairly well untapped opportunity in responding to the suffering of others.
And now seems like a good time to tap it.
Dearest Brent,
It blows my mind, on a daily basis, how human beings can either praise God or blame God depending upon how the events in life are playing out at that time. No one even knows who God really is because they make him who they want him to be in their own mind anyways…which most generally ends up being a grossly skewed portrayal.
There is so much more to these few manifestations we can actually witness—with our physical eyes in this plane—in this world.
Why does the Adversary, aka the ‘Devil’, not get blamed for said dis-asters?
When actually, it is the Earth’s own intelligence reacting, Mother Earth’s own defense mechanism. I am sure you are aware of what she must defend herself against.
Every day brings opportunity for action, my old friend,…every single moment.
Yours Truly,
Sarah இ
Yes, the earth has a lot to defend against.
Like agent Smith says in The Matrix, the human race is lot like bacteria: blindly expanding, consuming, and often destroying their host. Except that we have God to skew and misconstrue and blame for our own greed and stupidity.
Now I believe that God exists and wants to be known, and although I don’t rule out that He ever has or ever will act in judgment, it seems that much of what He gets blamed for is simple cause and effect.
For example, even if we fault God for allowing the earthquake in Haiti, the fact that the people there are so poor and that so much of their population is concentrated into a small area like Port Au Prince can be traced back to the world economy – in which we all vote with our dollars every day.
You’re right Sarah, every day does bring opportunity for action. Even after Haiti digs out from this disaster, I’m sure there will be a lot that everyday people can do to help loose some economic justice.
You gave me a lot to think over in your comment, thank you.
You are most certainly welcome, Brent.
It was a virus.
Yours Truly,
Sarah
From my understanding, if God really wanted to destroy something, there would be NOTHING left. He doesn’t do things half way.
No, I don’t suppose anyone has every accused God of half-measures.
I mean, it is really just too much of an effort to blame anyone else…and someone must be at fault. You can always find someone to blame. God is an easy target…I know his name, where he is at, and that he won’t strike down his wrath on me this very instant for doing so. I have done it before and nothing bad happened.
Perhaps, we should follow King Julien’s theory as addressed in ‘Madagascar 2:Back to Africa’ and have a willing victim jump into a volcano as a sacrifice. Then, maybe, God will remove our guilt, shame, blinders, lie and convince the Earth we are here to help her, and give us the winning numbers to a local lottery.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5K9fC29Dhno
You have hit on something I still don’t understand about people: the need to blame something for all our woes.
I mean why do people feel better when the doctor gives a name to whatever they’ve been suffering from? It still hurts and it may still kill them but somehow it helps to be able to call it by name.
I don’t know.
And I love your Madagascar example, I like the first film better, but number two is still good. I like to randomly walk around my house and say, “Maurice, my arm is tired. Wave it for me.”
Nobody ever does though. Not even my kids.
And although there was a distinct lack of volcanoes in Roman Palestine, a key tenet of the christan faith is that Jesus himself was the willing sacrifice for all people.
Of course, it was a controversial move at the time. It still is, actually.
I think giving out the lottery numbers would have been more popular.
Hey Brent. It is sad that some can immediately point the finger of judgment. I don’t even mind pondering that it could be God’s judgment (for it could). But it is the manner in which such is communicated that becomes devastating to our testimony – a lot of lack in grace and mercy.
To be honest, it’s really hard to discern what is going on in these certain tragedies. Again, it could be judgment, it’s not out of the question. But even if it is, there is infinite grace and mercy to extend in the midst of it (as you so helpfully point out in your article here). I’m thankful that every judgment and discipline of God is always covered with opportunities for grace and mercy. It’s been like that since our first parents messed it up for us all.
I was thinking through this, I don’t know, theologically, and I suppose there are at least 4 reasons as to why ‘bad’ things could have happened:
1) Part of living in a fallen world where we deal with sin and its consequences.
2) In an earthquake situation, this is part of creation’s groanings. The shifting in tectonic plates are part of those groanings mentioned in Rom 8.
3) Specific judgment from Him, on specific sin or just sinfulness in general.
4) The work of the enemy.
There could definitely be more. With regards to #3, I also like what Jesus said in Luke 13:1-5 when the disciples asked him why a couple of tragic events took place (Pilate had some people murdered while they were offering sacrifices; a tower fell and killed 18 people). In vs3 and 5, Jesus said, ‘No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.’
It seems Jesus was saying, ‘Let this be a reminder to you that something bigger will come, bigger than these 2 events you mention, a true and final judgment, and prepare yourself with repentance.’ So, these acts should challenge us to ask questions, ask what is really going on and what will happen one day in the future.
Ok, enough from me. :)
Thank you Scott. Although I can’t fault your theology, I hate to wax all theroectical at time when action is required.
Yes, action is definitely needed and required. Just thinking about things.