I couldn't agree more with the sentiment that the Almighty looks down with distress at a world of devastating polarity between the few obscenely rich and the billions of desperately poor; the alarming proliferation of nuclear arms that gives us unprecedented power to kill, maim, and destroy; and the blatant disregard humanity has for the environment, which we continue to treat as a hotel room mess left for someone else to clean up. However, the idea that God punishes imperfect behavior with a vengeance far worse than the most despicable Nazi prison guard is not only hard to swallow, but doesn't easily jibe with the biblical record.
Leah has an adorable 3 year old who's a perfect angel most of the time, yet like all toddlers, has her moments. When her disobedience turns to tantrums Leah's first reaction is to lovingly correct, and to take her daughter into her open arms until a more suitable mode of behavior emerges. And when that doesn't work the occasional Time Out, and even a spanking may result. To act otherwise, to even suggest a more effective course might be to smote, with even a fraction of the capricious force seen in an earthquake or tsunami, would be to condone child abuse of the worst kind.
Let's be clear, God does not punish bad behavior with natural disasters any more than the Almighty rewards good behavior with winning lottery tickets, perfect health, jobs or marriages; "for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous" (Matt. 5:45). It is understandable why the notion of God and retributive justice increases in appeal in the wake of unexplainable disasters (remember when Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell famously attributed some of the 9/11 terrorist actions to immoral behavior?). Answers like this offer easy ways out of very complicated theological mazes, they try to provide answers to answerless questions.
So why the earthquakes and tsunamis?
Why the warrantless terror and suffering?
Why the innocent deaths?
We don't know.
Our minds are simply not able to grasp the complexities of life's circumstances. We are cats trying to learn algebra; puppies trying to comprehend Nietzsche. We strive for answers too lofty and labyrinthine for our limited gifts.
It is in times like this we may find it more helpful not to busy ourselves with the breadth of God's smiting hand, and instead look at depth of the Lord's hand of protection: that Tokyo, with its incredible dense population was relatively unscathed, that the devastation wasn't worse; and that compassion and mercy has been inspired from nearly every nation in the world, including China.
If God's love excels that of even the most doting parent, we may fairly conclude that such tragedy escapes our powers of reasoning, yet opens us up to be the hands and feet of the Almighty whose love and compassion has found a place in our hearts. Let us live our faith in faith, believing that there is a purpose, and for now it is to help.
Donate to help those in Japan via Episcopal Relief and Development today.
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