A week after the earthquake and tsunami that devastated Japan in March, the Public Religion Research Institute and the Religion News Service conducted a survey of religious opinions. One question asked whether floods and other natural disasters are a sign from God. 59% of the evangelicals, 34% of the mainline Protestants, and 31% of the Catholics who responded said "yes."
Count me among those who say "no" when asked such questions. I do not believe God controls natural disasters or other events because I do not believe that God "works" that way. An anthropological reason stands behind my opinion. Although everyone suffers when such disasters strike, the greatest impact falls on those already in marginal situations. No one can replace a life, but people of wealth and influence recover and rebuild far more readily than the poor. The rain falls on the just and the unjust, but I do not believe that God intends to harm those in need more than those with greater comfort. I also have a theological reason for my opinion. I do not believe that God directly intervenes in human affairs in ways contrary to the laws of nature. Two members of our congregation and I had very similar back surgery in the past two years. Whereas I have not experienced pain since the surgery, my friends continue to have significant discomfort. I do not believe God gave me relief not offered to those friends. When I expressed that thought recently, another friend asked, "Then why do you pray?"
My response begins with the doctrine of the Trinity, which claims that God exists in relationship. God is not a solitary being. Rather God exists in a dynamic relationship traditionally identified as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I believe that God, who exists in relationship, primarily affects the world through relationship. I pray not to bring to God's attention something God failed to notice, but to express and deepen my relationship with and awareness of God. I believe that God relates to us primarily through our relationships with others, especially other believers.
For example, recent studies have affirmed that people who believe in the power of prayer experience health benefits when they pray and know that others are praying for them. I do not believe that God intervenes for those people more than for others. Instead, I believe that the relationships between believers and their relationships with God bring strength, peace, and other blessings that aid the healing process.
I write these words not to prove that those with whom I disagree are wrong, but to point to why I believe what I do. God is ultimately beyond our knowing. That leads to varied opinions and convictions about how and whether God relates with the world. Surely the best way forward is to try to understand each other. As we do, we have the potential to form relationships that change the world. Thanks be to God!
Grace and Peace,
LP
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