Prophets and Doomsayers

As our nation continues to stagger under the magnitude of Katrina's destruction, I have something to say to my well-intended friends--fellow believers--who have wrapped themselves in a prophet's mantle. Let me say as clearly as I am able that I do not think the immediate aftermath of a national tragedy is the appropriate time to point a figurative finger in the face of our countrymen and proclaim that God has visited judgment on a rebellious and depraved people. In my view, those of us who do yield to this impulse do not help the cause of Christ, rather we harm it. I find myself saddened when I witness instances of this. And it pains me to say that the accusers are as certain to follow closely in the wake of a natural disaster as darkness follows a sunset. Even if the prophetic proclamations may be true, they rarely serve a constructive purpose.

The Word declares and we all know, God's ways are not our ways (Isa. 55:9). Scripture also says, "For who has known the mind of the Lord...?" (I Cor. 2:16) I take these and other similar passages to mean that we ought to be exceedingly careful about claiming to know God's mind. This is especially true if we are subjectively interpreting events. I know this about myself: I do not love sinners the way God loves sinners. And the limits of my mercy are miniscule in comparison to His. I'm afraid that I'd be casting lightening bolts much sooner than our gracious God typically does. It's a good thing that neither I—nor you—are God!

Am I saying that we can know nothing of God's plans or actions? Absolutely not. We who know Him well (my guess is that this number is smaller than we might imagine) are qualified to speak on His behalf. And all of us within the household of faith have been given the privilege of being His ambassadors to the world. In the I Corinthians passage referenced above, after asking rhetorically, "Who has known the mind of the Lord?" Paul ends with the declaration, "But we have the mind of Christ." The implication is that God has given His people a gift of revelation and understanding. Without doubt, God's people do have access to God's knowledge. And while that knowledge is substantial and profound, relative to His omniscience our access is greatly limited. Unless He personally consulted with us about the disaster, I humbly suggest circumspection is in order.

The most helpful and redemptive response to natural disaster by God's people is generally acts of kindness and mercy. Meeting people in their vulnerability and at their point of need can soften hearts toward God, rather than harden them. I'm glad to say that many of God's folk are doing just that. This is not to say that we avoid sharing the Good News. Kingdom opportunities like this one are rare in America.

So with the above stated for the record, I am providing a link (http://tinyurl.com/8xaum) to a word from Francis Frangipane which was forwarded to me today by e-mail. This author is well known for his writing on spiritual warfare. His message (too long for reproduction here) considers the spiritual dimensions of the Hurricane Katrina disaster. He thoughtfully explores the possibility of divine judgment. I think Frangipane has approached this subject intelligently and sensitively. His reflections are worth your consideration and reading them well worth the time and effort.