Does God hate Haiti? That is the conclusion reached by many, who point to the earthquake as a sign of God's direct and observable judgment.
God does judge the nations -- all of them -- and God will judge the nations. His judgment is perfect and his justice is sure. He rules over all the nations and his sovereign will is demonstrated in the rising and falling of nations and empires and peoples. Every molecule of matter obeys his command, and the earthquakes reveal his reign -- as do the tides of relief and assistance flowing into Haiti right now.
A faithful Christian cannot accept the claim that God is a bystander in world events. The Bible clearly claims the sovereign rule of God over all his creation, all of the time. We have no right to claim that God was surprised by the earthquake in Haiti, or to allow that God could not have prevented it from happening.
God's rule over creation involves both direct and indirect acts, but his rule is constant. The universe, even after the consequences of the Fall, still demonstrates the character of God in all its dimensions, objects, and occurrences. And yet, we have no right to claim that we know why a disaster like the earthquake in Haiti happened at just that place and at just that moment.
The arrogance of human presumption is a real and present danger. We can trace the effects of a drunk driver to a car accident, but we cannot trace the effects of voodoo to an earthquake -- at least not so directly. Will God judge Haiti for its spiritual darkness? Of course. Is the judgment of God something we can claim to understand in this sense -- in the present? No, we are not given that knowledge. Jesus himself warned his disciples against this kind of presumption.
Why did no earthquake shake Nazi Germany? Why did no tsunami swallow up the killing fields of Cambodia? Why did Hurricane Katrina destroy far more evangelical churches than casinos? Why do so many murderous dictators live to old age while many missionaries die young?
Does God hate Haiti? God hates sin, and will punish both individual sinners and nations. But that means that every individual and every nation will be found guilty when measured by the standard of God's perfect righteousness. God does hate sin, but if God merely hated Haiti, there would be no missionaries there; there would be no aid streaming to the nation; there would be no rescue efforts -- there would be no hope.
7 comments:
I guess it is common for religions to think God loves those who are in, and hates everyone else. I've recently been shocked at some statements of influential Calvinist pastors who say that God hates sinners. I guess that's the conclusion you get when you take predestination to the end. You get God choosing to torture some people for eternity as he chooses others to be with Him.
Anyways... I just gotta assume God loves everyone, especially the needy in Haiti. Jesus was very fond of the poor. If a warning needs to go out to anyone it's likely those who have all they need - and think they are Lord of their own lives.
Appreciate your post!
God bless.
Thanks for the comment Jonathan. I actually hold to the Five Points of Calvinism (as does Al Mohler) and don't believe that God unconditionally loves every person.
For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil may not dwell with you. The boastful shall not stand before your eyes; you hate all evildoers. You destroy those who speak lies; the LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man. (Psa 5:4-6)
Calvinism would say that all men are already condemned by their sins and that God in His mercy elects some to save. I don't agree with everything Calvin wrote, especially regading the church and the "sacraments" but predestination and election are eminently Biblical.
Ooops... sorry, I guess I didn't read enough of your other posts to catch you're a 5 pointer.
Yes, I understand there are verses that support the 5 point box... but I think there are others that don't.
Hebrews 11:6 (NIV) - Total Depravity?
"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."
(There is a part we play)
2 Peter 3:9 (NIV) - Unconditional Election?
"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."
1 John 2:2 (NIV) - Limited atonement?
"He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world."
Matthew 23:37 (NIV) - Irresistible Grace?
"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing."
Acts 17:30 (NIV) - Unconditional Election?
"In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent."
Matthew 6:33 (NIV) - free will? Ability to seek God? Yes!
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
However, I don't care to debate tho with you, since I don't really know you. I do believe God loves Calvinists too. :)
Jonathan
There is nothing at all inconsistent with election and predestination in the verses you quote. God commands all men everywhere to repent. The ability to do so is not inherent in anyone but comes only through faith, an alien faith that is a gift of God.
One other question to consider.
If God hates sinners can I too?
Would God set a higher standard for us than He sets for himself?
Jonathan
God doesn't set standards for Himself. He Himself is the standard.
If God loves everyone, is He helpless to keep them from hell? Does the Sovereign Lord of the creation place the eternal destiny of lost sinners in the hands of those who are completely incapable of exercising faith on their own? That would seem to be analogous to a person dropping a newborn infant into a playpen and leaving a bottle of milk six feet away and then lamenting because the newborn doesn't go get the milk.
If we have no role in any of this, why are we commanded to seek God?
Think about the story of the prodigal son... did the Father ever hate the prodigal son? If my children ever left me and ignored all my advice would I ever hate them? No! And I believe our heavenly Father has an even stronger love for all His children, whether they are in a restored relationship with Him or not.
I see God as loving everyone, and extending the good news that he loves them, is Lord of all, and wants to be Lord of their lives and restore them to who He intended them to be. But he gives us the choice. If we want to be Lord of our own lives, he lets us - like the prodigal son's father did.
Anyways, God bless. I see you've got your answers... and who knows you may be right. If the Holy Spirit wants to guide either of us further I'll leave it to Him.
God bless!
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