Where Is God During Hurricane Season (or) Someone Flunked Bible Class

It doesn't surprise me.  Not any more.  Supposedly trained religious "teachers" making ridiculous statements backed up with a few verses out of context.  A wild canine wandering about a flock would be more subtle.

I'm not surprised at all.  But it does frustrate me to no end.

So to deal with said frustration (and others as well), I'm writing this, sort of in response to a very amateur attempt at using Scripture.  And to give me something to do to "stretch my legs," theologically.

For those of you new to this blog, you may be surprised that I'd label veteran bible-thumper Max as an "amateur," but that's the politest term I can use for someone who is twisting Scripture.

With all the hurricanes the US has endured in the last couple weeks, and will probably endure in the next couple, its no surprise he wrote this article.  At least he wasn't claiming that believers can control the weather.  (And, yes, people have claimed this.  Listen to the explanation and correction here.)  Anyway, back to Max's article.

"Hurricane Irma is coming.  Where is God?" (read it here if you want)

As soon as I saw the title, warning alarms were sounding and shields were up.  "Oh, great, here comes another attempt to sell 'I can do all things' bologna."

He starts off okay, by asking questions that are really understandable in these situations.

1) How can this be happening?
2) How should we respond?
3) Where is God?

Before I get to his answer, I'll give the quick, but correct, answers.

1) Weather patterns and seasons.  Though to be fair, the destructiveness of weather is an extension of the Fall, though that explanation is not a quick one, nor necessary for this specific discussion at the moment.
2) Pray, for forgiveness and in thanks to God for salvation.  Look for ways to provide aid, either in person or by assisting with sending relief to those who will need it once the storms pass.
3) He is God.  He is here, as He promised He would always be.

To begin answering these, Max decides, wisely, to quote the Bible, but his choice proves anything but wise.

Jesus said, “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea.” (Lk. 21:25, NIV)

Now, it is true that this is what Luke 21:25 says.  But what this passage has to do with the current state of the American Gulf Coast is not what Max thinks.  So, we shall start by employing the Three Rules For Sound Biblical Exegesis.

Context.
Context.
Context.

What is the context of Luke 21?  If you guessed "end of the world" based on what vs. 25 said, you'd be given partial credit.  Jesus is, for a short portion, speaking of the end of the world.  But for most of it, He's speaking of the end of the age.

The astute among you will have noticed "those aren't exactly the same."  And that's true.  The "end of the age," which is what all the "wars, rumors of wars, etc" is all about is the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD.  The hint is "this generation will not pass away before all this has taken place (vs. 32)."

Remember, though, the disciples asked Jesus "Teacher, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when these things are about to take place? (vs. 7)"

That's two questions.  I already showed you the answer to the first (when will these things be).  For the second question, allow me to go to Mark 13, mostly because the answer He gives is more direct.  (Its the same conversation, but Mark gives a different perspective.  That's why we have four Gospels.)

“But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.  Be on guard, keep awake.  For you do not know when the time will come. (Mk. 13:32-33)"

So, having Max here pull out a whole implied "this is a sign Jesus will be here soon" is a bit dishonest.  Not that he's technically wrong, since all trials and troubles are signs of sin, which is why Christ came and died and rose.

Max goes on to say:

Increasing frequency of natural calamities are like the birth pangs of pregnancy—indications of an impending delivery. Christians do not know when Christ will return, but we believe we will see “…the Son of Man coming in the cloud with great power and glory. When these things (natural disasters) begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” (Lk. 21:27-28, NIV)

Um... no.  You did that wrong, Max.  The "Son of Man coming in the cloud" is a reference to the Ascension, which is the linchpin to the end of the age of the Temple and the Sinai Covenant.  Christ is saying to lift up you heads so the disciples can look at the cross, because their "redemption is drawing near."

While Max does use Psalm 121 decently, he's far too hands off in his approach to a crisis.  While, yes, we shouldn't dwell on our troubles, to "wallow" in our sorrows, but we need to be active in moving forward in our lives.

However, that was not the lesson we should glean from Peter's Amazing Not Drowning Show.

Peter didn't volunteer to leave the boat.  None of them did.  Why would they.  Being on a small craft in the middle of a stereotypically stormy sea is frightening enough.  Seeing what must undeniably be a ghost was too much.  The only reason Peter gets kudos is because he was smart enough to know that where Jesus is would be the safest place, and if He said it was safe to come to Him, then it was.  As long as Peter focused on Christ, he was safe, both physically and spiritually.

Granted, Peter had Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Word, standing next to him, so physical danger was irrelevant.

The last three paragraphs of Max's "oh, no, there's a storm, but its okay, God's got a plan" are just wishy-washy.  Not wrong, but nothing overly helpful.  Especially since nowhere does he mention Christ and Him crucified.  Its almost as if Max isn't a Christian pastor...

Yes, God has a plan.  And that plan was, and is, and will be, Christ crucified.  That is what saves us from sin, death, and the power of the devil.  It is our salvation.  Our inheritance.  Our narrow way to eternity.

But what about the here and now?  What about those who suffer sickness, injury, persecution, famine, unjust government, war, storm, and so on?  Paul answers that:

As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”  (Romans 8:36)

He's quoting Psalm 44 (vs. 22 specifically).  David is expressing how God has saved Israel, and how He punishes them as He sees fit.  But that does not stop David from pleading for divine aid.  And he knows it will come, even if it does not come now or in the manner David asked for it.  Because unlike most contemporary Christians, David knew where his hope was anchored.  A hope Paul alludes to as he continues:

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. (Romans 8:37)

It is not that we are the ones who conquered.  It is Christ who did the fighting.  We are merely the refugees who He rescued.  Our eternal hope rests in Christ saving us from the stain of sin.  He never promised that we'd be saved from our suffering now.  In fact, we are told we are being punished, disciplined, by our Father for our sins.  But it is temporary.

As Christ said:

"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”  (John 16:33)



If you stuck with me this long, are still reading and haven't thrown your computer through a plate-glass window, you deserve a Kit-Kat.  If you still think "tl dr" I'm sorry.  I could have gone longer, but that would have included a three or more page tangent on how the Fall is to blame for weather.

If you want to help, you can go to Lutheran World Relief (here) or Orphan Grain Train (here) for ways to do so.