I’ve been hearing lots of news and talk shows asking this question that has received a lot of interesting answers. While I yet to have to hear a well known Biblical scholar speak on this issue on such shows, Evers’ site does have an excerpt from one such well known scholar, John Piper. Piper explains in full detail with Scripture in attempting to explain the disaster caused by Katrina. You might find it interesting to find what Piper says about this tragedy that has struck our great nation. In brief, Piper tells us:

“Does disaster come to a city, unless the Lord has done it?” (Amos 3:6). The answer of the prophet is no. God’s own testimony is the same: “I form light and create darkness, I make well-being and create calamity, I am the Lord, who does all these things” (Isaiah 45:7). And if we ask, is there intelligent design in it all, the Bible answers: “You meant evil . . . but God meant it [designed it] for good” (Genesis 50:20). [Source]

One Response to “Did God Cause the Destruction in LA?”

1. Evers Ding Says:
   September 12th, 2005 at 11:04

   I actually thought this was the most powerful statement that Piper made:

   “This will always be ludicrous to those who put the life of man above the glory of God. Until our hearts are broken, not just for the life-destroying misery of human pain, but for the God-insulting rebellion of human sin, we will not see intelligent design in the way God mingles mercy and judgment in this world.”

   Men sin not because they don’t realize that it’s bad. It’s because they don’t love the God whose glory sin offends above all. That’s also why education can never make man better: only sovereign heart-changing grace.

   BTW, I think Piper is better described as a pastor/author than as a scholar. And Al Mohler’s blog covers a good interchange wherein he discusses this same issue with a few other leading evangelicals. Also see re: thoughts from Philip Ryken.