Newsweek: Why God Hates Haiti

sermonindex Jan 16, 2010

~~[b]~~Newsweek: Why God Hates Haiti[/b]

Haiti is surely a Job among nations. It is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere: half its population lives on less than a dollar a day. With 98 percent of its forests felled and burned for firewood, Haiti is uniquely vulnerable to flooding from hurricanes. In 2008 four storms in as many weeks left a million homeless. Haiti has an infant-mortality rate worse than that of many African nations, and its people are plagued by disease: diarrhea, hepatitis, typhoid fever, dengue fever, malaria, and leptospirosis are rampant there. This litany doesn't even touch on Haiti's disastrous political history, most notably the reign of François (Papa Doc) Duvalier, who assassinated and tortured more than 30,000 in the 1960s.

Now, with as many as 100,000 dead in last week's earthquake, a sensible person of faith has to grapple with the problem of what scholars call theodicy. If God is good and intervenes ...

P

PaulWest Jan 16, 2010

Newsweek published this?

I suppose this version is a bit easier to ruminate over and consider than Pat Robertson's frank hypothesis -- even though they are one and the same. Amazing.

sermonindex Jan 16, 2010

Here is the link to the article, amazing indeed!

~~[url=http://www.newsweek.com/id/231004]~~http://www.newsweek.com/id/231004[/url]

sermonindex Jan 16, 2010

This is why, a proper biblical theology is as or more important than our own subjective christian experience.

sermonindex Jan 16, 2010

It's really difficult to pinpoint the problem. Pat Robertson's words don't help.

R

RobertW Jan 16, 2010

This was first published on SI a few years ago, but it's very good to revisit it.

~~[url=http://biblebasesecondthoughts.blogspot.com/2010/01/tsunamis-earthquakes-genocide-and-love.html]~~Earthquakes and the Love of God[/url]

N

nearthecross Jan 16, 2010

The lady author of this article accuses Pat Robertson of being malicious, hateful, and narrow-minded. Yet from reading the article it's clear the hate is coming more from her pen than anywhere else.

It's astounding how much the world has attacked Robertson for his recent remarks, frequently quoting him out of context and judging his motives. Though I do believe he should have chosen his words more carefully, the underlying issue at hand is not the accuracy of his statements about Haitian history, but his insinuation that God judges nations and people for their sins. Robertson has received much flak for suggesting that Haiti needs to turn to God and repent. The ungodly don't want to hear this. They will slander, attack, and gnash their teeth at anyone who dare make this claim. As this article demonstrates.

sermonindex Jan 16, 2010

"Pat Robertson's words don't help." snuf-

Amen. I respect Robertson about as much as Paul Crouch. It's no secret that the mainstream American Christian church has a credibility problem. With Rick Warren defending his begging of one million dollars, Joel Osteen telling everyone the say a little prayer after each service and be saved, Kenneth Copeland and Benny Hinn and their jets.... and millions of Christians living like Christ died so they can willfully sin and still be under the blood, gay and lesbian indoctrination in the church. And of course Robertson with his some of his 'rants' and hypocrisies (i.e. Giuliani endorsement and failed prophecies). The reputation of the American church now precedes itself when it speaks on any matter. Don't think that there isn't also a judgment on the church here with not being seen as remotely credible on these issues, even if what is said could very well be true.

There are times when the church will be rejected because of Christ, and times when its rejected because many 'charlatans' are running the show. The salt is losing it's saltiness and the light is getting dimmer.... that's not the world's problem. The world has always been in a degenerative state, and the window of salvation will get smaller for the church to work within this. I'm not seeing a lot of Holy Spirit power in the 'back and forth' between the world and 'the church' in situations like this.

S

sojourner7 Jan 16, 2010

NO, GOD doesn't hate Haiti; HE hates sin!
There are many Christian relief workers
in Haiti helping build orphanages, teach
school, and helping to ease the suffering
of this poor nation. PRAY FOR THEM !!

G

ginnyrose Jan 18, 2010

I would love to hear the evaluation of a godly person who experienced this earthquake while in Haiti during this time. I have heard godly men, native as well as missionaries, from the Caribbean speak of the hold voodoo has on the people. It is demonic, holds its adherents in grave spiritual bondage. Some are even able to cast spells on people so they die. Knowing this, I am wondering how God is using this earthquake to speak to the people? I suspect there is a larger story behind the obvious which may be forthcoming - eventually.

By the way, I heard one story this morning: a missionary lady had just hung up her wash on the wash line which was near a concrete wall. A few minutes later the earthquake came and that wall fell onto the wash line. Had she been there when it happened she could have been killed. This may not be so significant, but if this young woman had been my daughter, I would be so humbled with gratefulness to the mercy of God that he protected her.

ginnyrose

K

KingJimmy Jan 18, 2010

The only problem with the questions centering around theodicy is that the right answer is never an emotionally satisfying one. Even the right answer will never appease our flesh. Why? Because God designed us that way, so that we as individuals we might find our satisfaction in Him alone. That is what the Lord drove Job to understand and ultimately realize.

sermonindex Jan 18, 2010

"Even the right answer will never appease our flesh. Why? Because God designed us that way, so that we as individuals we might find our satisfaction in Him alone. That is what the Lord drove Job to understand and ultimately realize." KingJimmy

Amen. But this is an opportunity to pray for the salvation of those who may now be desperate for something that no nation can give them. Jesus said earthquakes WILL come and that these are the beginning of sorrows. As the pangs of birth are evident, I would rather focus on the birth of a glorious church... Haitians could be a part of this if we do our part. I'll save the why's and if's for others. Could you imagine if God moved there... the very pit of the earth where many leave little hope?? If the Spirit of God moves there we'll get a deeper revelation of His will beyond simple history lessons. That was then, this is now. When the wrath of God comes people will hide in caves weeping and cursing God, trying to kill themselves but being unable to. The whole earth will be shaken. That will be then... this is now. It's our obligation to do what we can while the window is still open. Our battle isn't with flesh and blood and I would hope that if the situation were reversed... those who know God would step up on my behalf and engage in that battle for me.

D

dohzman Jan 18, 2010

One thing that a relief effort does for a brief moment is to show the world that a combined good common goal to help the helpless can and to some degree does work. This will ultimately be what the world leaders see as part of thier judgements no doubt, besides the rejection of Jesus Christ as Lord and saving God(redeemer). Man has the capasity to do good. I know on this board alot will quote , stuff like there is none righteous no not one, or our works being filthy rages...etc.., but I'm not talking in terms of salvation but in terms of human kindness toward one another. The world responded to this countrys need and two things have happened, 1) for a brief moment we can see how God intended humanity to work to help the helpless 2) with the nations coming together almost like the day of penecost, the gospel potential is increased and probably will spread around the world in the mouth of many relief workers from other countries who hear of Jesus and His love and than go back to thier own nations as born again believers in Christ.

Ole' Pat R. spoke truthfully but the Word of God says the wise make knowledge acceptable, I supose his comments may have been a bit rushed and spoken to quickly, if he had sat on his comments for just a couple of weeks and let out little bits he probably wouldn't have had a stone rolled back on him like it was. Maybe one day he'll get it and learn the lesson God has intended for him and move on to the next class of learning, hopefully, because his untimely comments make it difficult for the rest of us as we strive to be a witness for Christ.