Romans 11:33 New Living Translation (NLT)
33 Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and
knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his
ways!
The Bible tells us it is impossible for us to understand
the decisions, actions, and ways of God. Yet we challenge God and call into
question the things that happen in this world even going as far to say, “This
has to be God’s fault.” We forget about our own sins. We also forget there is
Satan who is out to destroy what he can of this world.
It is not uncommon for people to shake their fists at God
in the midst of tragedy and suffering. The Bible includes the stories of
righteous men who questioned God for what they considered poor management of
creation.
But Nebraska State Senator Ernie Chambers has taken his
complaints to court. In October 2007, Sen. Chambers sued God for "causing
untold death and horror" in the form of "fearsome floods…horrendous
hurricanes, [and] terrifying tornadoes." Furthermore, says the senator,
God has wrought "widespread death [and] destruction" and terrorized
"millions upon millions of the Earth's inhabitants."
Chambers filed the suit to make a statement about the
American court system. Outraged by a recent lawsuit he considered frivolous,
the senator intends to demonstrate that "anybody can file a lawsuit
against anybody." His motion against God, then, is tongue in cheek; Chambers,
who has a history of antagonism against Christians, has no vested interest in
his suit against the Almighty.
Nevertheless, the case raises important questions about
God's activity in this broken world. Is God to blame for poverty, warfare, and
natural disaster? Chambers seems to think so. To him the facts are clear: there
is suffering everywhere, and God is everywhere. Therefore, God must cause
suffering. But God's not the only being who is everywhere. So are sinful human
beings.
[Brandon O'Brien, assistant editor, PreachingToday.com;
source: "Neb. state senator sues God in protest" (Associated Press)
USA Today (10-08-07)]
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