Virginia Tech Questions, Part 2
Posted by James MacDonald on April 19, 2007 04:54 PM | Comments (6)In the media blitz surrounding Virginia Tech this week, there was a short clip buried in one of the broadcasts of a woman with tear tracks down her face looking away from the camera. Barely audible, she choked out, "I just don't understand why God lets things like this happen."
That's hard. Who hasn't wrestled with the question of why, when God could have prevented the taking of 32 lives, He didn't. Let me say that I have wrestled with questions like these too, so I wouldn't give you biblical answers if I didn't believe them. Hard questions do not usually have easy answers, so you're gonna have to track with me here.
Question: Why does God allow what He could prevent? Let's look at this from a couple different perspectives.
1) Doxological Explanation
Doxa is the Greek word for glory. The glory of God is any manifestation of His presence. In a nutshell: We exist for God. We are here for His purposes and not the reverse. God created us for one reason--to display Himself. Isaiah 43:7 says, Even everyone who I have called by My name, for I have created you for My glory.
Of course God could have stopped this tragedy from happening. More often than we realize, He does prevent things like this. Scripture tells us in many different places that if it weren't for the restraining influence of the Holy Spirit in this world we would have destroyed ourselves a long time ago. When God prevents things, He does it to display Himself. When God allows things, He does it to display Himself.
Want to see evidence of God's glory? Meet Lauren McCain. You've probably seen her picture on the list of students killed.
You need to know Lauren's testimony. Her introduction on myspace.com says, "The purpose and love of my life is Jesus Christ. I don't have to argue religion, philosophy, or historical evidence because I KNOW Him. He is just as real, if not more so, as my 'earthly' father." That's God's glory displayed.
2) Philosophical Explanation
Some people ask, "But why can't God make a world where we are free to choose Him or not, but then sort of secretly guarantee that everyone chooses Him?"
Did you know that there are some things that God can't do? Before you storm the comments section, read these verses:
2 Timothy 2:13, God cannot deny Himself.
James 1:13, For God cannot be tempted by evil.
Titus 1:2, God cannot lie.
Here's another one: God cannot make a world in which people are free to choose or reject Him and, at the same time, guarantee that everyone will accept Him. God decided that He preferred the meaningful worship of a few over the robotic worship of the masses. Everyone who turns to Him by faith will rejoice throughout eternity in the incredible worthiness and goodness of God. Those who reject Him will never see it.
Why does God allow what He could prevent?
3) Consequential Explanation
I'm sure it is not a news flash to you that our world has been planting rejection of God's ways in unprecedented ways for decades--rebelling against Him, shedding innocent blood, showing a complete disregard for God's laws. Rampant perversity flies in the face of our holy God. You can't plant that year after year and pray for crop failure. Galatians 6:7 warns, Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. What a nation plants, it will also harvest. When God allows mass suffering, it is because people have drifted from Him. His heart yearns to gather them back. In every instance where tragedy strikes, history has unfolded God proving Himself faithful. He was at work. He was getting the attention of His people. He sovereignly allows some things that we would never understand as a consequence of turning our backs on Him.
4) Practical Explanation
At the end of the day we have to say, "I don't know what God is doing but I know some things about Him--I know that He is good and faithful. I know that in eternity all of us will see this and agree on what we can't always fully understand here." God forgive us for arrogantly thinking we could grasp it all. First Corinthians 13:12 says, For now we see in a mirror dimly . . . Now I know in part; then I shall know fully.
What good could come of this? I can't give you the whole list but we serve a God who is righteous and true. All that He allows, He allows for a purpose. Hear Romans 8:28 again, All things work together for good to those who love God to those who are called
Comments
Posted by: Amy | April 19, 2007 08:35 PM
My heartfelt prayers are that God will bring beauty from ashes, that He would be glorified through even this event, and that He will bring comfort to those who mourn after having been on the receiving hand of such evil this week.
Whenever a tragedy like this strikes, we hear "Why, God?" or "Where was God?" or "How could God let this happen?" Those questions show that people are seeking God's role in this, which is good because it draws our attention in the right direction. But I think the tone of those questions is sometimes a bit backwards.
What I truly find more amazing than why God allows certain bad things to happen occassionally . . . . . is that He allows so many undeserved blessings to be poured out on all of us on an average day and that he has chosen to restrain this kind of evil far more than He allows it to happen (when you consider it in proportion to what we, as rebellious, sinful, fallen creatures "deserve," it happens relatively rarely). That He permits it as infrequently as He does is what is truly amazing.
Instead of asking "why me," when something bad happens to us, it seems far more reasonable to ask "why not me?" when it doesn't happen.
Let this remind us that He is good and loving AND is in sovereign control. Let us thank Him every day that this type of evil does not befall us more often, while praying that those touched by it will see that God's goodness and sovereignty offer them the only true hope in the face of such evil.
Posted by: Trey | April 20, 2007 09:00 AM
James - This the best answer to "Why does God allow bad things" question. I've heard you preach at Harvest similar messages before, but this one is so clear and direct. I am going to send this to everyone of my believing and unbelieving friends to help them with this struggle. Thank you!
Posted by: deborah | April 20, 2007 05:25 PM
If we demand that God do something about the evil in this world, are we also willing to demand that God do something about the evil in ourselves? Along the continuum, we're closer to Cho than to Jesus.
Posted by: Joseph Cook | April 24, 2007 11:24 AM
I would first like to thank pastor James for his ministry and desire to speak the truth of God's Word. I have benefited greatly from it and have started my own ministry on myspace called Jeremiah 20:9 Ministries. I have been reading Gripped by the Greatness of God, and I loved the chapter on God's sovereignty. I was touched as James spoke of his wives commitment to God and His sovereignty in the passing of her father. To trust in the plan of God no matter how painful or void of understanding it is to us is the mark of a true Christian. God will be glorified in the midst of this tragedy. I guarantee it! Thanks pastor James. Christ first in all we do. Your brother in Christ.
Posted by: Valerie | April 30, 2007 05:29 AM
When our walk is with the LORD moment by moment then God can and will use our lives as a testimony to show his glory, wether in life or in death. Not one of us knows the moment when we will be called to eternity but God knows.
Thank you for posting Lauren's testimony.
Father in Heaven I thank you for the life of this young lady that gives testimony to your Son Jesus and her relationship with you. Thank you for being the Most High God, for being the God whos Sees, for being the God who Heals. God I praise you and honor you for the peace that passeth all understanding that you give us through the shed blood of your Son on our behalf. You have added Lauren to the list of Hebrews 11 By faith... Thank you Lord.
In the name of your Son JESUS Christ.
Posted by: David | May 8, 2007 12:30 AM
To ask," Why did God let this happen?" is to second guess Him. He has his own way of doing things,whether it be wake-up calls,which I believe this is,or just soft messages. He is almighty,and we will never understand all He does,nor all His reasons. So,"Be still,and know that I am God!"
Editor: The Psalms and the prophets, i.e. Habbakuk are excellent portions of Scripture that confirm the legitimacy of asking God "why?" type questions. It is not second guessing to ask the question, but if He does not reveal His purposes we must trust and not doubt or be afraid.