Did God cause the earthquake in Haiti?

[Allan]

The Job passage attributes the destruction to God Himself and to God alone...and this from Job's lips. So regardless of Satan's role, God is still the one who caused these things to happen to Job. Job says God is the cause and it is not a sin for him to say so, for it is true.

Blessings,

The Archangel

While I agree the earthquake transpires by God's command, I do disagree somewhat with you here regarding Job's proclaimation about God.

Jobs statement does not necessarily attribute the destruction to God himself, but that it the destruction by Satan was allowed by God.
An illistration of this - The fact that God allowed Adam and Eve to sin does mean we attribute their sinning to God and God alone.

The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away, IMO is a general statement regarding God's soveriegn power to allow both good bad things come into our lives as He determines. I state it this way because Job never states God took His children, nor that God gave him the sickness, etc.. His friends ascribed these things were from God, but we know that sinned in making such accusations against God and Job had to pray for them.

Just my 2 cents worth..

btw - for those who state this was God's judgement against Haiti's sin, I have to disagree. For one there is nothing given or there for anyone to make such a statement that this was due to their sin/sinfulness. Second, it was a calamity not upon unbelievers only but believers also was died therein.

 

[webdog]

Pat Robertson said so...it must be true

 

[zrs6v4]

LINK

The old POE. Who is in control anyway?

I would say God most definitely did it, but not in the way we think, it is ultimately for His glory.

I dont think He takes pleasure in judging people, or killing people, but yet He does it for His Glory.

I was in Haiti in May 09, and it is a very idolatrous place, although I cant say it was done for judgment. It could have been though.

I think if we want to be really stupid we can blame God for not stopping the quake, which He could have . God does what He wills and it was His eternal will for that event, 911, and the Holocaust. In other words He wasnt completely on the sidelines with no control. Indeed all events will bring Glory to God in so many ways. I am not saying anyone likes to see people die including children. My point is that for different purposes God is the ultimate filter by which all things happen including terrible events. At the same time God is sinless and does not tempt nor does He take pleasure in them.

While God takes no pleasure in them, He does all of His good pleasure. His good pleasure is to achieve all He has ordained for a great purpose, the same purpose by which we and all things were created. God willed the fall, judgments, forgiveness to the saved, His plan of salvation including killing His own Son, and on and on we can go. Nothing happens apart from God's sovereignty and that we can rest in.

 

[Jarthur001]

btw - for those who state this was God's judgement against Haiti's sin, I have to disagree. For one there is nothing given or there for anyone to make such a statement that this was due to their sin/sinfulness. Second, it was a calamity not upon unbelievers only but believers also was died therein.

Indeed you are right on that one Allan. I don't think any one can say it is for judgement. Now, it maybe, but the truth is, we have no way to know this. God has his reasons.

But still we believers must understand that however we view the POE, it is not just a problem for believers. That is the reason I wrote the column. The atheistic argument of evil is always thrown out at believers as if it causes a problem for us. This means God is evil, they say.

Well, its something that believers must address i'll give them that. But the fact that athesit see something as evil means that there must be a good. What makes "evil", evil and what makes "good", good? Now we know, but they have no answer.

I feel Dr. Greg Bahnsen does a great job in pointing out even more problems for atheist. (Dr. Greg Bahnsen has a long quote in the link)

 

[Jarthur001]

I would say God most definitely did it, but not in the way we think, it is ultimately for His glory.

I dont think He takes pleasure in judging people, or killing people, but yet He does it for His Glory.

I was in Haiti in May 09, and it is a very idolatrous place, although I cant say it was done for judgment. It could have been though.

I think if we want to be really stupid we can blame God for not stopping the quake, which He could have . God does what He wills and it was His eternal will for that event, 911, and the Holocaust. In other words He wasnt completely on the sidelines with no control. Indeed all events will bring Glory to God in so many ways. I am not saying anyone likes to see people die including children. My point is that for different purposes God is the ultimate filter by which all things happen including terrible events. At the same time God is sinless and does not tempt nor does He take pleasure in them.

While God takes no pleasure in them, He does all of His good pleasure. His good pleasure is to achieve all He has ordained for a great purpose, the same purpose by which we and all things were created. God willed the fall, judgments, forgiveness to the saved, His plan of salvation including killing His own Son, and on and on we can go. Nothing happens apart from God's sovereignty and that we can rest in.

hello zrs6v4,

most all of us..that again is MOST all of us...would agree that when it comes down to it, God "did it". But where we will divide is was God the 1st cause or the 2nd cause? The 2nd cause would be that he had the power to stop it, but chose not to stop it.

 

[zrs6v4]

hello zrs6v4,

most all of us..that again is MOST all of us...would agree that when it comes down to it, God "did it". But where we will divide is was God the 1st cause or the 2nd cause? The 2nd cause would be that he had the power to stop it, but chose not to stop it.

I was somewhat aware of this, but thanks for clarifying.

I would say that He is the 1st cause and by this I mean that He willed it to happen, but not for the bad that comes from it, but for the good. I would say this is one the biggest mysteries in these types of events and the men of perdition. I think people like Judas and events like the fall were brought about by God in a sovereign way that I'm not sure we can understand. I do think it is very biblical to say that God does it for good. Reminds me of what Joseph said, "you meant it for evil, but God meant it for good." So while these events are evil, there is good that comes out of them in the long run whether God receives glory for His justice, grace, or whatever it may be. I am speaking in general terms to be safe

Back to the fall of man, I think God definitely did it and had one eternal plan before it happened. I do not think He based His eternal will on Adam and Eve's choice, but rather their choice was an outcome of God's perfect sovereign work in accomplishing all He has purposed. I think it is clear that God didnt want them to sin, and that He was hurt (not in weakness) but the greatest thing comes because of sin, the coming of His Son that we would never know without sin entering. All I am saying is that God is not passive, but very active in all events.

What are your thoughts?

 

[Marcia]

The sea analogy doesn't work. God did cause the destruction. He created the earthquake by setting up the earth in such a way that it would quake. He knew when he was creating the earth that the earthquake would happen when it did. He chose (in his infinite wisdom) to still create the earth in that fashion. So, yes, God did cause the destruction. Why? I have no earthly idea, but I'll find out when I get to heaven.

I think earthquakes are part of the result of sin; earthquakes are not part of what God created in the sense of being part of the pre-sin world. (Of course, I'm probably in a minority since more and more Christians seem to be thinking that there was death in nature and devastation before sin but it certainly doesn't influence my view).

 

[Marcia]

Jesus answered, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Luke 13:2-3

Jedi, you beat me to it! I'm posting the whole passage.

1Now on the same occasion there were some present who reported to Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2And Jesus said to them, "Do you suppose that these Galileans were greater sinners than all other Galileans because they suffered this fate?
3"I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.
4"Or do you suppose that those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them were worse culprits than all the men who live in Jerusalem?
5"I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish."

 

[zrs6v4]

I think earthquakes are part of the result of sin; earthquakes are not part of what God created in the sense of being part of the pre-sin world. (Of course, I'm probably in a minority since more and more Christians seem to be thinking that there was death in nature and devastation before sin but it certainly doesn't influence my view).

So are you saying that God just sits back and has no part of the creation He puts into process other than reacting in certain situations? I'm just trying to follow your line of thought . I may be reading you wrong, but it seems like you are saying that God made a perfect world and we messed it up and sin through it all off, and now God really doesnt have much to do with these bad events other than- He could stop them.

 

[Marcia]

So are you saying that God just sits back and has no part of the creation He puts into process other than reacting in certain situations?

I don't know what you mean by "sits back."

I'm just trying to follow your line of thought . I may be reading you wrong, but it seems like you are saying that God made a perfect world and we messed it up and sin through it all off,

Yes, God made a perfect world (Gen. 1 says it was "good" as God created) and sin did mess it up (that's in the Bible too).

and now God really doesnt have much to do with these bad events other than- He could stop them.

Clearly disasters happen, but there is no indication now that God is causing them. Sin has infected the whole world, including nature, which has become corrupted. I think God allows these things for his own reasons and purposes.

 

[Dr. Bob]

God is behind it all, unfolding His perfect will/plan in the events of this world. Now man thinks mankind (or in this case, Mother Earth goddess) is "in charge".

But remember the first sermons in Acts? "Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen."

Man did it "freely", but it was all because God empowered and willed it to happen.

The earth groans and travails in the movement of tectonic plates "freely", but it is all because God willed it to happen.

And that's still our prayer - Thy will be done: as in heaven, so in earth.

 

[zrs6v4]

Yes, God made a perfect world (Gen. 1 says it was "good" as God created) and sin did mess it up (that's in the Bible too).

I wouldn't deny this as you imply . I would go further to say that it wasnt God's fault and I know you agree. These are very simple truths.

 

[blackbird]

When Adam sinned all Creation was adversely affected. Earthquakes are the natural result of the Fall, just as Volcanos, Floods, Hurricanes, etc.



All that being said my heart goes out to the people of Haiti. They have so little anyhow!

I like OR's explaination here

Romans 8:22 reads, "We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time."

And then Johnv's explaination of various fault regions of the earth---a third grader can take two dinner plates from the cupboard stack--then place them edge to edge touching----then forcefully have them resist each other to the point of breaking

I've known people who choose to live on the edge of a creek/river bank---time to time the rain comes and the creek swells and water gets in the house--but that isn't a "judgment" from God----if Billy Graham decided to build a house on a fault line--he goes into the insurance agent's office--the agent is gonna say

"You know, Brother Graham---you have parked your house DIRECTLY on that fault line that runs through about 10 miles below the Earth's surface---and geologists and EQ specialists are saying . . . You're gonna need X amount of coverage!!!"

What do you think BG would do????

Why----he'd place his faith in the Living God---then he'd pay that premium just like the agent prescribed!!!!

 

[Aaron]

Jesus answered, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all [likewise] perish. Luke 13:2-3

It's as I said. God sent the earthquake, and it was a judgment on sin. If we're wise, we'll take heed.

 

[zrs6v4]

It's as I said. God sent the earthquake, and it was a judgment on sin. If we're wise, we'll take heed.

Just out of curiosity can you explain how you came to that conclusion

 

[Marcia]

It's as I said. God sent the earthquake, and it was a judgment on sin. If we're wise, we'll take heed.

How do you say this in light of Luke 13?

1Now on the same occasion there were some present who reported to Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2And Jesus said to them, "Do you suppose that these Galileans were greater sinners than all other Galileans because they suffered this fate?
3"I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.
4"Or do you suppose that those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them were worse culprits than all the men who live in Jerusalem?
5"I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish."

 

[Jedi Knight]

It's as I said. God sent the earthquake, and it was a judgment on sin. If we're wise, we'll take heed.

The point Jesus was making is you better have your account settled with God. You never know if your number could be up!

 

[Aaron]

How do you say this in light of Luke 13?

I couldn't say it without that light.

 

[Marcia]

I couldn't say it without that light.

But doesn't that passage point out that those killed were not greater sinners?

Do you think all natural disasters are judgments on sin and on what basis do you say that? Are they judgments on believers as well as unbelievers?

 

[Joman]

If God has the power to prevent an earthquake, if God can make a earthquake occur anywhere he wants then he is the author and responsible for every aspect of an earthquake. For His Glory. He is in total control of his creation.

God decides who dies, when and how. God gives life and takes it away. There's no other explanation to Haiti's eartquake other than the sovereign God ruling his creation.

By the way we share the same island with haiti, we felt the earthquake. Not a single house fall in my country. God picked time, place, intensity and final effects.