Billy Graham's daughter Anne Graham was asked on the Early Show how God could let something so horrible as Katrina happen.
She answered "I believe that God is deeply saddened by this event, just as we are, but for years we have been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our lives, and to get out of our govt. Being the gentleman that He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How then can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we are always demanding that He leave us alone.
I thought that was absolutely a great answer. Any other thoughts? I look forward to all comments Christian and non Christian, rude and polite.
2007-01-04 01:56:25 · 31 answers · asked by Only hell mama ever raised 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
My family and I were survivors of the hurricane. Some people call themselves victims. We survived and moved forward. We did it with the help of family, friends, community, Christian and non Christians, I think that what she wasw getting at is simply this. If we continue to insist that God stay out of our lives. He will do as he is asked. Those of you who say that he would never back a way need to read Romans, he may not back away but he will certainly leave you to your own devices. When you get what you've asked for then don't complain.
2007-01-04 02:19:54 · update #1
Yeh I agree it was a well thought out and very fair answer. I agree that alot of the time people dont welcome God into their lives but soon as a distaster hits us, who do we call or blame? Yes you guessed it! GOD. If you love God you will welcome Him. If you dont love God, you will reject him. Rejecting Him rejects his love, support, guidance and protection. If you are not FOR God you are AGAINST God. Satan is against God and enjoys evil, negativity, disasters, loss etc.
2007-01-04 02:08:18 · answer #1 · answered by JDJ34 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I appreciate that Anne said some things that were actually profound, but I think that she made God seem weak at the same time she described Him as being helpful.
It's like the hurricane 'happened', ande god didn't have anything to do with it. Jesus said, "Consider yourse;f, lest ye also be taken" which menas to me that God is fully capable of placing things, even hurricanes, on a path to certain places. Why would He do that? He needs no defense from the likes of me. He's God.
So while Christians attempt to apologize and excuse God, I see in the current evangelical world no desire to show that God is someone to be feared. Not in a Fred Phelps way, in that a particular group is to be blamed, but in a way that shows that God is powerful and owns the whole Earth, He does anything that He wants.
It's the message that redemption is totally available to those that are inclined to fear Him. I think that that message is a part of the Gospel; the message that we are supposed to be preaching, as Anne's father has been preaching these many years.
2007-01-04 02:09:05 · answer #2 · answered by Christian Sinner 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is mere speculation, and rather ignorant speculation at that. Attempts to humanize the divine certainly make it seem more accessible and can often sound profound, but it's faulty... if we could understand the motivations of the Divine (God), then there wouldn't be a separation between Human and Divine. The truth is, we simply don't know if God caused the Hurricane or allowed the hurricane to happen, much less God's justification for whichever is the case. I think it's dangerous to assume God is just some dude who's being a gentleman.
2007-01-04 02:01:32 · answer #3 · answered by Zafrod 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
God's peace is not an escape from reality. We are not transfixed or somehow mentally "removed" from feeling pain or struggling....Rather, peace is an undergirding rock-solid foundation so that no matter the tears we cry or the sorrow we feel, deep down inside we know with an abiding assurance that God is with us.
2007-01-04 02:03:53 · answer #4 · answered by Fish <>< 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I cannot express with mere words how ludicrous this is.
First, she makes god sound like a sulky petulant child. Which I think accurately describes the christian god, but it's surprising to hear that from one of them.
Her statement also sounds to me as if she's a sulky petulant child. I have no doubt she's attributing her own thoughts and resentments onto her god.
It's nice to hear that god thinks Katrina sucked too. Who interviewed him, I wonder?
2007-01-04 02:14:57 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Yes, most people doesnt want God and in this world, one reason for suffering is “time and unforeseen occurrence.” (Ecclesiastes 9:11) In a world without Jehovah as a protective Ruler, people may suffer because they happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
I also like to point out that the Bible clearly states: “The whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one.” (1 John 5:19) When you think about it, does that not make sense? This world reflects the personality of the invisible spirit creature who is “misleading the entire inhabited earth.” (Revelation 12:9) Satan is hateful, deceptive, and cruel. So the world, under his influence, is full of hatred, deceit, and cruelty.
2007-01-04 02:07:34 · answer #6 · answered by Tomoyo K 4 · 2⤊ 3⤋
People need to read the Word. Revelation shows the Earth will undergo a cataclysmic geological upheaval. God actually
commands angels in Revelation to "hold back" the full fury of the
elemental forces that are building up for a while.
2007-01-04 02:00:50 · answer #7 · answered by THE NEXT LEVEL 5 · 3⤊ 2⤋
She was not saying that God caused Katrina, but that he did nothing to stop it.
The Christians play a part in allowing this country to turn from God (2Chronicles 7:14).
grace2u
2007-01-04 02:06:15 · answer #8 · answered by Theophilus 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Jesus certainly wouldn't have agreed with that answer. When his contemporaries expressed a similar thought, Jesus contradicted it:
"There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."
2007-01-04 02:00:53 · answer #9 · answered by NONAME 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think it is a sad statement. God 'backout'? Did He back out on the people who lived to tell about it? When you see compassion reaching out from hearts (Christian and non-Christian) Doesn't that make you think that God is within?
I don't think He'd ever 'backout' from His creation, that would be hypocritical of all His teachings.~joni
2007-01-04 02:06:55 · answer #10 · answered by jonismuse 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋