A Note From Rob ...
Week of January 24, 2010
This week’s article will be a bit different than most. Usually the theme of the Sunday worship is the backdrop
for this forum. However, it seems the devastation as a result of the earthquake in Haiti commands our attention.
In a time like this we often try to find a reason for such massive death and destruction. Geologists have told us
of shifting plates beneath the earth’s surface causing a shift and the corresponding earthquake. It seems Haiti is near a
fault line and is susceptible to the effects of the shifting of the foundations of the earth. I am not a geologist and have
told you about everything I know about shifting plates, fault lines and earthquakes.
Perhaps you have heard of Pat Robertson’s recent comments regarding the reason for the devastation in Haiti.
His explanation was theological, sort of. He attributes it to divine retribution. He says this recent calamity and others
through the centuries in Haiti is God’s retribution because of a “pact the Haitians made with the devil”. According to
Robertson, they did this and God did that.
While I agree in principle with cause and effect in both the physical and spiritual, it seems to me that this is a
bit out of line. It seems to place blame too quickly. I am not a student of Haiti any more than I am one of geology, so I
will not wade into that water. However, I have spent some time and life considering the nature of God.
To blame God or the Haitian people seems to be based on a world view and understanding of God that takes
out any action outside of these two realms. And since, God is blameless and makes no mistakes, case closed. Blame
the sinfulness of the people.
That seems akin to blaming someone who has cancer for their sinfulness. Therefore, God caused the malady to
strike them. No possible outside forces were at play. But I wonder, is there a middle ground? Is there a place where
human action and Divine action meet? I think there is.
I would assert that that is a place of mercy and justice. It is a place of compassion and confession. It is place of
restoration and new life. It is seen in prayers and people going Haiti. It is seen in health kits and health care workers
being sent to heal the broken. In is seen in money and mercy being afforded to a people who are devastated.
It might serve as a reminder of the fragility of life on this earth and even the planet itself. It might call us to
give thanks for what we have as we share with those who have not. It might inspire us to enter into a covenant or
renew our covenant with a loving, merciful, restorative and healing God and to join this God in those Divine
opportunities.
That is Divine cause and effect which I think has a Divine cause and affect. I hope to see you Sunday.
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