One more thing about hurricanes (see Sept. 21 entry). If in fact the increase in hurricane activity and intensity is a result of global warming, then we have a situation where both free will and natural law interact to produce painful results. Human activity is the main culprit for global warming. If hurricanes are needed to reduce the amount of heat in the oceans, then perhaps we should lay part of the blame on ourselves. This kind of situation is similar to when deforestation causes massive mudslides. The mudslide would not have occurred if enough trees were in place to stabilize the soil. In the case of New Orleans, human inaction resulted in a levee system that was inadequate for a category 4 or 5 hurricane. In addition, the human response after a natural disaster can cause a lot of trouble, such as looting, price gouging, sluggish government action. In the case of famines in, say Africa, there is usually enough food. It just isn’t getting through to the people in need due to civil wars or corrupt politicians or genocidal politicians.
Anyway, while there are no easy answers to the question of natural disasters, as a Christian, I think the best answer to all type of suffering is Jesus Christ. If the Creator of the universe was willing to enter into dirty, gross, ugly humanity because He loves us, then that speaks volumes more than any theodicy. A God who shares our pain is the kind of god I want to follow (although my wanting and my doing are often at cross purposes).
1 comment:
Amen, brotha'! :)
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