In dealing with tragedy questions about inevitably arise.
Whenever a Earthquake, Tsunami, or Hurricane come, or a gunman runs into a high school or college we see this happen. Questions like "Where was God" and "Why do bad things happen to good people" and many other questions are often raised.
Sadly I have found many Christians will respond with pat answers that offer no hope, no encouragement, and no real answers.
Do you have a God who can handle tragedy or would you reside to saying "God didn't know"
Open Theism or Process theology would tell you just that, because if God did know that means He could have stopped it, and therefore He is ultimately to blame.
If you spend much time in the Word I would hope you would see that God ordains things that are seen in the immediate as bad (Joseph being sold into slavery by his brothers) but in the end lead to good (Joseph saves his brothers and Israel). And sometime we just don't have all the answers, but we cannot deny God's omniscience and sovereignty, and promises just because we don't understand. We see through a glass dimly. We mourn and weep and grieve knowing that somehow, someway God will work all things for good for those who love Him.
The body should gather around and weep with those who weep.
Tragedy is where faith is often tested and either crushed & proven false or refined it seems & proven real.
Many of us don't like to think about or prepare for tragedy or suffering, so it comes as no surprise that often Christians can't provide any help to those who are suffering. It seems we are so afraid of death I sometimes wonder if we really believe the promises of scripture. Now I'm not wanting to die but my hope is that I can say in that face of death with the Apostle Paul...to LIVE is Christ & to Die is GAIN!
There were believers it seems among the victims of the tragedy at Virginia Tech. Reports today from Mission Network News suggest that some members of Campus Crusade for Christ were killed in this weeks attack.
I was relieved to see that many have pondered these hard questions at that campus and are providing solid, hope filled, true responses to this tragedy and not Christian pat answers.
Here is a few links to articles on the Virginia Tech - Campus Crusade website, Where is God in the Midst of Tragedy & So Why do Bad Things Happen?
I have also found this article at DG quite helpful that was originally written in response to the tragedy at Columbine.
I sometimes ponder that it is interesting we as a nation get all up in God's face when bad happens, yet to me it seems more like we should be on our knees that we too were not gunned down, and have undeservedly, graciously been blessed with life for one more day.
Tomorrow is not guaranteed. Are you prepared for tradgedy if it comes? Do you have a Biblically based, Christ exhaulted theology that can handle bad and not just good times, fame and fortune?
The world is not impressed when things are going good for you, Christian!
Life is a Vapor, Christ is Eternal, He is Our Joy!
Whenever a Earthquake, Tsunami, or Hurricane come, or a gunman runs into a high school or college we see this happen. Questions like "Where was God" and "Why do bad things happen to good people" and many other questions are often raised.
Sadly I have found many Christians will respond with pat answers that offer no hope, no encouragement, and no real answers.
Do you have a God who can handle tragedy or would you reside to saying "God didn't know"
Open Theism or Process theology would tell you just that, because if God did know that means He could have stopped it, and therefore He is ultimately to blame.
If you spend much time in the Word I would hope you would see that God ordains things that are seen in the immediate as bad (Joseph being sold into slavery by his brothers) but in the end lead to good (Joseph saves his brothers and Israel). And sometime we just don't have all the answers, but we cannot deny God's omniscience and sovereignty, and promises just because we don't understand. We see through a glass dimly. We mourn and weep and grieve knowing that somehow, someway God will work all things for good for those who love Him.
The body should gather around and weep with those who weep.
Tragedy is where faith is often tested and either crushed & proven false or refined it seems & proven real.
Many of us don't like to think about or prepare for tragedy or suffering, so it comes as no surprise that often Christians can't provide any help to those who are suffering. It seems we are so afraid of death I sometimes wonder if we really believe the promises of scripture. Now I'm not wanting to die but my hope is that I can say in that face of death with the Apostle Paul...to LIVE is Christ & to Die is GAIN!
There were believers it seems among the victims of the tragedy at Virginia Tech. Reports today from Mission Network News suggest that some members of Campus Crusade for Christ were killed in this weeks attack.
I was relieved to see that many have pondered these hard questions at that campus and are providing solid, hope filled, true responses to this tragedy and not Christian pat answers.
Here is a few links to articles on the Virginia Tech - Campus Crusade website, Where is God in the Midst of Tragedy & So Why do Bad Things Happen?
I have also found this article at DG quite helpful that was originally written in response to the tragedy at Columbine.
I sometimes ponder that it is interesting we as a nation get all up in God's face when bad happens, yet to me it seems more like we should be on our knees that we too were not gunned down, and have undeservedly, graciously been blessed with life for one more day.
Tomorrow is not guaranteed. Are you prepared for tradgedy if it comes? Do you have a Biblically based, Christ exhaulted theology that can handle bad and not just good times, fame and fortune?
The world is not impressed when things are going good for you, Christian!
Life is a Vapor, Christ is Eternal, He is Our Joy!
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