Ron's Random Ruminations

Matt Green, managing editor  for Ministries Today, gives a good commentary about what type of sermon Jesus would preach on Hurricane Katrina":

'We preachers are at our best-and worst-when tragedy strikes and the pews fill with those seeking answers for the natural disasters, wars and financial duress that are becoming commonplace in 21st-century life. Puzzled pulpiteers are faced with two competing temptations: Some choose to comfort the afflicted with no thought of what eternal lessons may be drawn from human misery. Sermons in this vein often begin with statements such as, "These situations cannot be explained … All we can do is trust God." This theological evasiveness rings hollow for many listeners who come to church in hopes of hearing something more substantive than the formulaic platitudes of a self-help guru on daytime television. The second option is to intricately tie the disaster to some specific transgression on the part of the victims--with an implicit warning to those who share the victims' proclivities. Such a sermon might end like this, "Many homosexuals and abortionists were killed in that earthquak! e. Therefore, it was the direct judgment of God on homosexuality and abortion." With the rare exception of the homosexual abortionist who finds his way into church that Sunday, people in the pews see these threats for what they are, taking comfort in their own "righteousness" and assuming that they will be spared from the next disaster. Jesus chose neither of these options, when some of His followers told Him about Pilate's slaughter of a group of innocent Galileans (see Luke 13:1-5). "Do you think that these were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way?" Jesus asked His questioners. "No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish." In His trademark style, Jesus turned His hearers' attention from justifying themselves and condemning others to recognizing the universal affects of sin and the universal reality of death. Among other things, this story reveals the true nature of preaching. Whether standing before sinners! or saints, we are called to prepare people to meet their God. May we see natural disasters, wars and calamities for what they are: vivid windows into eternity through which we can direct our hearers' gaze."

Hello all! I'm back after a much needed vaction. In case you're wondering where I spent it, it was in Maui, Hawaii.

Now that I'm well rested, there is a lot going in the news I need to catch up on. The big story being, of course, Hurricane Katrina.

Chuck Colson, of Prison Fellowship Ministries, wrote what I believe is a good article from a Christian perspective about the disaster wrought by Katrina. I especially liked Colson's response when asked whether the hurricane was a result of God's judgement. Colson says:

" 'Is this God's judgment?' many people asked. I'm always reluctant to speculate because it is too easy to blame God for things that we bring upon ourselves or to falsely read the mind of God. But we can say for sure theologically that an all-powerful sovereign God can prevent a natural disaster anytime He chooses to. So, in one sense, one would have to say: Yeah, God permitted it."

I believe he is correct in saying this.

Also, my friend, Craig DeLuz has written another excellent piece on this disaster. Craig takes a different approach on this story. Check it out!

In the mean time, I hope to continue to post on a daily basis. It's good to be back in the saddle.