Published September 10, 2005
IN THEORY
Q: Why does God allow such horrors as Hurricane Katrina to happen?
A: I remember in 1988 when a devastating earthquake claimed 50,000-plus lives in Armenia this question was repeatedly asked of me by my parishioners.
Ever since, I've been sensitive to its call in the face of calamity; this year in particular following the tsunami and now hurricane Katrina. Why would a loving and caring God allow pain and suffering?
This would be a legitimate question to ask if we thought of God as the Grand Puppeteer in the sky who plays us as pawns in the everlasting chess game of life. But for us as Christians, the model of and definition of God is much different. We understand God as love. Love is all-powerful, but not in the superman sense. He can't change the course of mighty rivers nor can he bend steel with his bare hands.
We live in an imperfect world. It is plagued with hurricanes, earthquakes and violence. These things we define as manifestations of evil. By the same token we define the outward acts of charity, care and benevolence as manifestations of good. We therefore find the presence of God in these acts.
We find him in the compassion and care that the world is now extending to the hurting children. Look for him in the hearts of people, who are writing checks, leaving their homes to work in the streets of New Orleans, reaching out to help others. Ask not the question, "why evil?" but, "why good?" And you'll find God, as the source of something much more powerful than the tragedies of this world.
FATHER VAZKEN MOVSESIAN
Armenian Church
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