Territorial Bloggings

Props to Theresa over at Kiihnworld for taking the time out of the moving of her household to post a very thought-provoking entry regarding the tsunami disaster in SE Asia.

EDIT @ 04Dec31 5:59pm: Rob, over at Beggars All, has also made a very insightful post, with great references. Highly recommended!

More specifically, I really liked the thoughts Theresa generated by stating: I am amazed at the enormity of this tragedy, yet I don’t think that it is spectacular when viewed within the history of mankind. This event has reminded me of a pastor’s teachings on a sinful earth. and The teaching is quite simple: not only are we fallen from the Garden of Eden, but the entire world is fallen. That includes the very earth itself and all the creatures.

These are very important points to remember in the aftermath of this disaster, especially in the face of all the articles, blogs, etc. that are rehashing the “How could a loving God/god allow this to happen?” question.

The Fall took down not just man, it took down all of creation! Nothing was left in the pristine state of perfection that existed after God created everything. Thus, the earth is corrupted, just like mankind. We breathe, thus we sin. The earth is, thus bad things happen.

Now, I don’t mean for this to sound fatalistic. However, Holy Scripture does tell us that the earth will be a hostile environment (Gen 3:17-19), so we really shouldn’t be surprised when bad things happen. We should, however, take comfort in God’s love for us, as shown through the promised, and delivered, salvation in Jesus that is described throughout Holy Scriptures.

Even disasters can, should, and indeed must, be understood through the filter of Holy Scriptures, for in doing so, they will point us to Christ Himself and the healing and salvation that only He can give. We must care for the victims, not because we can prove ourselves worthy of anything, but because it’s what God has first done for us. We can, and should, work to minimize the impact that future disasters will have, but we should never labor under the false idea that we can prevent such disasters. That is hubris — man-centered conceit that can only lead us astray.

As the new year begins, I pray for all of mankind, that everyone may be led by the Holy Ghost to a saving faith, and to a correct understanding of God’s Word. I pray for all the victims of this recent disaster, for all the folks who are working to alleviate the suffering that this disaster has wrought.

And I pray that everyone who reads this blog will have a healthy & happy new year!

-ghp