THE ARGUMENT, if I follow it correctly, is that thanking God for sparing Barbados from being struck by a hurricane is tantamount to implying that God has not spared those countries that have been hit.
In other words, to give God the credit for having spared us the effects of a hurricane is at the same time to apportion blame to Him for having allowed or even caused other unfortunate countries to be affected.
The conclusion of this argument seems to be that it is senseless to assign either credit or blame to God (allowing that He exists) for an act of nature, especially one that may be explained by a set of scientific causes.
I agree that some of us Christian believers are inclined to oversimplify some situations or phenomena; not paying enough attention to the strides made in science, technology and the social sciences, among other kinds of discoveries.
I think, however, that the argument above equally ignores the premise that is a foundation of the Christian faith, which is, that God is sovereign. Nature, therefore, and for that matter, science, are not outside of His control.
The thinking believer (some would call this an oxymoron) is only too aware that while the message of the Gospel could not be simpler, the walk of faith is perhaps among the most complex of human experiences.
For example, how does one reconcile these two “realities”: the sovereignty of God and the freedom of choice?
In addition, how could an all-powerful God who is supposed to be good and merciful allow the scale of suffering and tragedy in the world, especially when inflicted on the innocent and the vulnerable?
I doubt we have much choice but to accept that inherent in the concept of God is an element of mystery and unknowability. Like it or not, we are mortal. We are finite beings trying to connect with an immortal and infinite being. But, mercifully, the communication process is not one-sided. I share in Augustine of Hippo’s assertion: “Thou hast made us for Thyself, O Lord.” The believer is not left to walk his or her path of faith alone.
All else can fail
And although we now “see through a glass darkly,” and while there will always be the “great imponderables” and the challenges that test our faith, we believers are able to draw from a source of grace and strength that sustains us and one that is necessarily higher and greater than ourselves. All else can and almost certainly will fail. Just look around us.
The point should be made clear that our desire to follow St Paul’s injunction, “In everything, give thanks,” does not mean that we adopt a passive acceptance of evil or injustice. It does not mean that we are immune to disappointment or heartache. We are not asked to ignore our difficulties or be insensitive to the difficulties of others.
But we believe that by making the determination to give thanks in (not for) even the most difficult of circumstances, we create a conquering mindset that permits us to rise above whatever the prevailing situations may be. We’re better empowered to improve our situations as well as those of our neighbours.
Finally, should a hurricane threaten or strike Barbados, I am in no doubt as to whom many Barbadians (non-believers included) will be praying for protection.
And I am sure that those prayers will not be directed to science or reason. It is absolutely right that we should thank that same God every time we are spared.
– ESTHER PHILLIPS
