During crisis some may ask ‘Where was God?’

When tragedy strikes the first question often asked is “Where was God?” or “Is God responsible?”
   
But C.W. Brister, retired distinguished professor of pastoral ministry at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, said, “That is the wrong question, because that approach is attributing evil to God, which (contradicts) the Bible.
   
“God cares and is in control, but He is not the god of evil,” Brister said. “We cannot attribute this to Him. “His permissive will and providence permits human freedom, but He is not the causation of evil.
   
“Satan presides over destruction, according to Job,” Brister said, noting God suffers with His people.
   
“We live in an evil world — a world that needs God,” Brister said. Pointing out Romans 8:19, Brister said Paul described the world as waiting “in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.”
   
“We are hope-bearing messengers of God”s care of the whole earth,” Brister said. God ultimately triumphed over evil on the cross.
   
But Albert Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., claims the recent terrorist attacks in New York and Washington are acts of God.
   
“One of the things I believe we must keep in mind is that God is on His throne, and that He is the sovereign ruler over all the world,” Mohler said. “God is effecting His will among the nations. The biblical writers again and again speak of God in the rising and the falling of nations and of empires. Certainly in the midst of this, we need to be asking the question, what is God doing? I believe He is humbling us. He”s showing our dependence [on Him].”
   
Jerry Falwell went further to blame feminists, gays and others for the recent destruction.
   
“The abortionists have got to bear some burden for this, because God will not be mocked. And when we destroy 40 million little innocent babies, we make God mad,” he said.
   
“I really believe that the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People for the American Way — all of them have tried to secularize America — I point the finger in their face and say, “You helped this happen.”
   
Falwell told Pat Robertson on “The 700 Club” that the attacks were God”s judgment on America for having banished God from the public square and schools.
   
Christian counselor Steve Pettit reminded Americans that God always gets the final word and His hand is writing the final chapter.
   
“These attacks make us feel helpless and terrified, and can even make us think there is a force out there greater than God,” said Pettit, with One In Christ Ministries in Alachua, Fla. “But love always wins. God always gets the final word on any tragedy, and for me, that provides a tremendous hope.” (Wire services contributed)