Spare Change

Get a Job!

Posted by Bryan

John Piper rebuts NPR dodderer Daniel Schorr.

Inevitably, the politicization of Katrina pulls in conversation about God. Even the insurance industry term "acts of God" glints to the manifestational reality that God must be reconciled in the assessment of global events.

Inasmuch, to invent a connection between disaster relief and teaching intelligent design is misdirected, but dismissable. However, to scoff at the Creator for the events He ordains is futile at best, and judgment-inviting folly at worst. The difference between Job and Schorr is that Job genuinely sought God amidst a sea of bad counsel. Schorr, on the other hand, proverbially pounds his chest in false bravado as though God is just another slot on an organizational chart that somehow misprinted Schorr's own name as the top-most square.

In the numerous people we've been blest to help, I've been surprised by the number of folks coming out of NOLA who have confessed a likelihood of God's judgment because of the spiritual darkness of that area. I've heard people -- evacuees, not "our church people" -- say things like, "We deserved this. God decided he wasn't going to tolerate our sin any more."

I'm in no position to judge their assessment as being spot-on or flawed. I will proffer this opinion, though....

If we are subject to judgment, its how God's people respond now and in the days & weeks, months & years to come that will be under God's watchful eye. And I'm not just saying whether we reach out and minister to folks in need. I'm talking about a 2 Chronicles 7:14 response, wherein the church..Christ's Bride...falls upon its face, turns from its wicked ways, and calls upon the Lord. If Katrina could be the catalyst for spiritual renewal in the church, and then in the country, we (Christians) should be working toward that end while we labor physically toward a physical restoration of the evacuees. To focus only on the latter while ignoring the former would be to invite the commencement of the judgment that we'd rightfully deserve.

I'm pleased to report that in this respect, the initial response has been encouraging. It has been the churches of America (primarily, while not exclusively) who have stepped to the front of the line to meet the needs and help people make connections to a new future. While that must continue, so must the focus upon the immediacy of the need of the church to return to holiness and sound doctrine, so that God will be honored and his name proclaimed in this age in this land.

September 12, 2005 1:22 PM