meaninglessness in Haiti…?

Originally posted on January 18, 2010 – by Andre Piet

For to vanity (=meaninglessness) was the creation subjected…
Romans 8:20

If the above quotation may already be an accurate characterization of the world in which we live in general, this applies all the more after what we all have been able to see following last week’s terrible earthquake in Haiti. Who can think of a sensible reason for such a horrific calamity? Oh yes, some Christians connect an earthquake like last week’s with the wrath of God. But how misplaced! According to the Bible, today pure grace reigns and God is precisely not intervening in the course of events in this world. The “day of indignation” is future (Psalm 2:5; Rom. 2:5; Rev. 6:17).

Paul adds something more to the quoted passage in Romans 8:

“For to vanity was the creation subjected, NOT VOLUNTARILY, but because of HIM Who subjects it…”

The whole creation is subjected to vanity and, as the book of Ecclesiastes says (which is entirely devoted to this theme): “time and chance befall them all…”. Chapter 9:11 – two numbers that by chance already sound so ominous too… But now this: according to Paul, this inescapable principle of “vanity” (=meaninglessness) was NOT caused by the choice of the creature. “NOT voluntarily…”. The deepest reason does not lie in the eating of the forbidden fruit by the first human pair, as the average Christian believes. No, the Creator Himself takes responsibility for it. Nor does He excuse Himself for it. This despite the many reproaches that, understandably enough, are once again being sent to His ‘address’ even now (where does He actually live?). God is GOD and He has His reasons. For this much is clear: the sad meaninglessness that we perceive … serves a purpose for Him!
Paul continues:

… yet in EXPECTATION that the creation itself, also, shall be freed from the slavery of corruption…

So it remains true: with GOD, NOTHING ever goes wrong!

Delen: