As the Dust Settles in Haiti…
Last Sunday as I was getting my groceries totaled up, the checker asked if I would like to make a donation to Haiti, which I did. The amount was practically nothing, but it did remind me that for the entirety of the previous week, it seemed as if the entire world zeroed in on what was going on that half of the Island of Hispaniola, which was devastated by a massive earthquake on January 12, 2010. News sources consider this the largest earthquake that country had experienced in the last 200 years, and many report an estimated 50,000 lives perished. Events like this always remind me that human life is so precious, yet at the same time, one can never know when life’s flame shall be extinguished.
There were lots of voices chiming in on the Haiti situation, and many of them were quite helpful, instructing people on what they could do to help survivors. I even had an acquaintance share his intention to travel to the island to do some aid work. I say Godspeed!
I also heard a few disheartening voices, which seemed to almost trivialize the present suffering of those in Haiti. Danny Glover’s connection between the earthquake and human induced global warming is a wonderful piece of fiction—but I don’t know whether to laugh or cry.
Pat Robertson’s statement on the earthquake being the result of a curse the Haitian people carry because they made a pact with the Devil in order to break free of French rule was just taking the unbiblical deliverance spiritual warfare notion of territorial spirits to its lowest level. What nerve! Can one look at the suffering of a Haitian and say, “all this calamity fell upon you because you’re cursed!”
What Robertson (and he should know better) fails to realize is that tragedies like this happen, not because a person has got a whammy place upon him; rather, it is because all of us live in a sinful and fallen world. When asked about the tragic death of some Galileans by the hand of Pilate, Jesus Christ responded, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were greater sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered this fate? I tell you no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or do you suppose that those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, were worse culprits than all the men who lived in Jerusalem? I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:2-5). Christ point is that when tragedy strikes, one must not think those spared are righteous and those suffering are unrighteous; rather; He points us to the reality that we—being part of this imperfect world—are likewise fallen in sin, and that the one thing that we are all encouraged to do is to repent and return to the God.
Perhaps, in this situation, for those who have repented from darkness into light, the most God honoring act of worship is to help tend the wounds of the injured traveler on the roadside.
There were lots of voices chiming in on the Haiti situation, and many of them were quite helpful, instructing people on what they could do to help survivors. I even had an acquaintance share his intention to travel to the island to do some aid work. I say Godspeed!
I also heard a few disheartening voices, which seemed to almost trivialize the present suffering of those in Haiti. Danny Glover’s connection between the earthquake and human induced global warming is a wonderful piece of fiction—but I don’t know whether to laugh or cry.
Pat Robertson’s statement on the earthquake being the result of a curse the Haitian people carry because they made a pact with the Devil in order to break free of French rule was just taking the unbiblical deliverance spiritual warfare notion of territorial spirits to its lowest level. What nerve! Can one look at the suffering of a Haitian and say, “all this calamity fell upon you because you’re cursed!”
What Robertson (and he should know better) fails to realize is that tragedies like this happen, not because a person has got a whammy place upon him; rather, it is because all of us live in a sinful and fallen world. When asked about the tragic death of some Galileans by the hand of Pilate, Jesus Christ responded, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were greater sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered this fate? I tell you no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or do you suppose that those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, were worse culprits than all the men who lived in Jerusalem? I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:2-5). Christ point is that when tragedy strikes, one must not think those spared are righteous and those suffering are unrighteous; rather; He points us to the reality that we—being part of this imperfect world—are likewise fallen in sin, and that the one thing that we are all encouraged to do is to repent and return to the God.
Perhaps, in this situation, for those who have repented from darkness into light, the most God honoring act of worship is to help tend the wounds of the injured traveler on the roadside.
Warren,
ReplyDeleteDoes CRI have a position paper on this new book?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0615311679/ref=s9_simi_gw_s0_p14_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-3&pf_rd_r=0QNA55DW7ASYEFYWCTW5&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938811&pf_rd_i=507846
Just wondering,
Andy
Hello Andy,
ReplyDeleteI am not familiar with Jay Howard's book Hard Questions For The Bible Answer Man: Hank Hanegraaff And His Takeover Of The Christian Research Institute, and am unfamiliar with his contentions against CRI, but thanks for the info.
However, I am aware of many rumors floating around on the Web. Cerainly anyone doing a google search for "Hank Hanegraaff," "Christian Reseach Inistitue," "Bible Answer Man," etc. can find the CRI Web site, plus stuff from friends and foes to the ministry.
Keep also in mind that on Hank did mention that CRI intends to "break the silence regarding those who have attacked the voice of the Christian Research Institute by concocting and circulating misleading and factually indefensible stories against him and the ministry of the Christian Research Institute (Bible Answer Man Jan. 4, 2010).*
As such, I believe Hank intends to keep his word.
* To hear the context of Hank's statement, you can access the broadcast at http://www.equip.org/broadcasts/questions-and-answers-with-hank20100401
Warren,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your response. Does CRI have any position papers or info regarding the statements found here:
http://www.waltermartin.com/cri.html
http://www.waltermartin.com/cri2.html
Some individuals have claimed that CRI employees have been instructed not to refer people to this website. Is there any truth to that?
Thanks,
Andy
CRI does not have position papers on statements made on the Web site in question. I would encourage you to contact the ministry directly for additional information on the Web site, just let the resource consultant know you would like to speak to a supervisor on the this specific matter.
ReplyDeleteI do not recall any formal instructions made to CRI employees forbidding them refer constituents to the Web site in question.
Then again, those familiar with the nature of the criticism made by the Web site can understand why neither ministry refers constituents to one another for answers to their apologetic related inquires.
Warren
Warren,
ReplyDeleteThank for for that clarification. As leaders in countercult apologetics are there any plans in the works to initiate reconciliation through Christian mediation - formal or otherwise between the aforementioned parties? if not, why not???
These serious allegations at waltermartin.com are public, persistent and specific. For an organization whose motto is "Truth Matters", isn't it in the best interest of CRI and the body of Christ to work through these issues together so as not to be a stumblingblock in the eyes of the world? What am I missing here?
I appreciate your response,
Andy
As mentioned, Hank did communicate that CRI intends to "break the silence regarding those who have attacked the voice of the Christian Research Institute by concocting and circulating misleading and factually indefensible stories against him and the ministry of the Christian Research Institute (Bible Answer Man Jan. 4, 2010)
ReplyDeleteIf reconciliation eventually occurs, I'd say Amen.
As I'm not privy to all the details of the criticism posted on the Web, I'd encourage you to contact CRI directly on the matter, and ask to speak to someone on the executive staff.
Warren,
ReplyDeleteThank you. I think you've made your point. What is the number and who specifically should I ask for?
Andy
Contact information for CRI can be accessed at http://www.equip.org/site/contact.
ReplyDeleteI believe the person you would speak to is Paul Young.
Andy, as an addendum to my last comment, when you do contact CRI, be as concise and direct to the point with the resource consultant, so that you can be directed to the person who can address your inquiry.
ReplyDeletePostscript: Andy, I do realize that you have deep concern over these matters, and so I encourage you to contact CRI directly on the matter, there are resource consultats there during regular business hours who can assist you with this matter.
ReplyDeleteI would gladly interact with any comments you have on the abovementioned blog.