A short while ago Haiti was hit by a terrible earthquake that left many thousands dead or badly injured. Many more were made homeless and the country was left a devastated ruin. Yesterday news came through of another earthquake, this time in Chile. This tragedy, while not killing as many, still caused widespread death and devastation. When these events occur there may be a tendency for people to ask the following question - "If there is a God, why does He allow such things to happen?".
That is a fair question - after all, if we believe God to be loving as well as sovereign, surely He wouldn't allow such things to happen? Why doesn't God prevent such calamities from occurring? I believe there are three reasons why earthquakes happen and they are all grounded in the Bible - the infallible Word of God.
1. We read in Genesis chapter 3 of the sin of Adam and Eve in eating the forbidden fruit in the garden of Eden. (This has been thought by many to be an apple but the Bible doesn't tell us what type of fruit it was. Indeed, one may say it wasn't the apple in the tree that was the problem but the pair on the ground!). This event is known as the Fall of Man and brought sin into the world. As a result we inherit a sinful nature. Moreover, the Earth itself suffered as a consequence of the fall; in Genesis 3 v 17 God said to Adam "Cursed is the ground for your sake". Before the fall the earth was perfect as the Bible tells us in Genesis 1 v 31 - "God saw everything He had made and it was very good". However, once the fall occurred the earth was under a curse, consequently natural disasters were inevitable.
2. In Matthew 24 we read of events that precede the 2nd coming of Christ. One of these being an increase in earthquakes (v 7). Records clearly show that there has been such an increase in recent years - surely another sign that Christ's return is imminent.
3. God gives us warnings about the brevity of life. People tend to put off getting right with God because they don't like to think about death and what lies beyond. However, when events such as these occur there is a reminder of just how fragile life is. The Bible states that our lives are like "a vapour, that appears for a little while then vanishes away" James 4 v 14.
The response when we hear of these awful tragedies should not be to blame God but rather to ensure that we are right with Him by repenting of our sins and accepting Jesus as our personal Saviour. Those who do this can have the assurance that they are heading for Heaven when they die. However, for those who ignore the warnings there is the certainty of Hell when they die - and remember, eternity is forever!
Sunday, 28 February 2010
Wednesday, 3 February 2010
Liberal Fascism
As a so-called democracy (I say so-called because there is no such thing as democracy - God appoints the government) we are often told about the importance of being tolerant. We are constantly being told that we are a free society, therefore it is imperative that we tolerate people who have a lifestyle that is different from the majority. This line of reasoning has been the cornerstone of the "gay rights" movement and has led to a plethora of laws giving these perverts "rights" eg. reducing the age of consent to 16, the "right" of gay couples to adopt, and engage in civil partnerships.
Tolerance is the watchword - except of course, when it comes to tolerating Christians. In recent years there have been a number of cases where Christians have been harassed simply for speaking up for the truth. However, this persecution is set to move up a gear with the publication of Harriet Harperson's "Equality Bill". If this becomes law then, in the name of "tolerance", Churches and Christian organisations can be prosecuted for refusing to employ people who have lifestyles not in keeping with Biblical teaching. Of course, given the track record of politically correct jobsworths, this law will be used to enforce the gay rights agenda as Churches and Christian groups will not compromise their beliefs by employing perverts.
The result will not be "tolerance" but a form of Liberal Fascism, ie you can believe what you like as long as it agrees with the party line. As one who believes in a separation of Church and state I am appalled at the way in which Comrade Harperson is seeking to interfere in the internal affairs of Churches and Christian groups - this is the kind of harassment we associated with the old Soviet Union.
The House of Lords have voted to insist that clauses are inserted to protect the rights of Christian groups who refuse to employ people involved in sinful lifestyles; however, it is still possible that the government will seek to overturn this. In the meantime we should continue as before, upholding our rights to follow our beliefs without interference from the state - even if it means being prosecuted. That was the practice of the early Christians, and it should be ours today.
P.S. After writing this I discovered that Comrade Harperson has backed down and accepted the House of Lords vote. We praise for Lord for His protection.
Tolerance is the watchword - except of course, when it comes to tolerating Christians. In recent years there have been a number of cases where Christians have been harassed simply for speaking up for the truth. However, this persecution is set to move up a gear with the publication of Harriet Harperson's "Equality Bill". If this becomes law then, in the name of "tolerance", Churches and Christian organisations can be prosecuted for refusing to employ people who have lifestyles not in keeping with Biblical teaching. Of course, given the track record of politically correct jobsworths, this law will be used to enforce the gay rights agenda as Churches and Christian groups will not compromise their beliefs by employing perverts.
The result will not be "tolerance" but a form of Liberal Fascism, ie you can believe what you like as long as it agrees with the party line. As one who believes in a separation of Church and state I am appalled at the way in which Comrade Harperson is seeking to interfere in the internal affairs of Churches and Christian groups - this is the kind of harassment we associated with the old Soviet Union.
The House of Lords have voted to insist that clauses are inserted to protect the rights of Christian groups who refuse to employ people involved in sinful lifestyles; however, it is still possible that the government will seek to overturn this. In the meantime we should continue as before, upholding our rights to follow our beliefs without interference from the state - even if it means being prosecuted. That was the practice of the early Christians, and it should be ours today.
P.S. After writing this I discovered that Comrade Harperson has backed down and accepted the House of Lords vote. We praise for Lord for His protection.
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