As our nation and the world grieves for the victims and their families of this week’s unspeakable horror, the question “Where was God?” is surely on the minds of many.

The senseless massacre at Virginia Tech is but the latest in a long line of tragedies, like 9/11 and the Indonesian tsunami, that emphatically remind us of man’s struggle against the capricious forces of evil in a world that, in the words of theologian Cornelius Plantinga, is “not the way it’s supposed to be.”

According to Christian teaching, manifestations of evil, while not created or propagated by God, are allowed for “a season” according to the hidden purposes of God. At the same time, theologian David B. Hart's words regarding the Indonesian disaster are well taken:

When we see the entire littoral rim of the Indian Ocean strewn with tens of thousands of corpses, a third of them children's-- no Christian is licensed to utter odious banalities about God's inscrutable counsels or blasphemous suggestions that all this mysteriously serves God's good ends.”

Although the sovereign will of God is fundamental to Christian doctrine, as Mr. Hart suggests, platitudes about “God’s ultimate good ends” offered to the afflicted are offensive because they are cheap compassion, often offered to relieve our own discomfort while avoiding the costly compassion of real action.

Eight days prior to the loss at Va. Tech we were reminded of another occasion, 2000 years ago, in which God abandoned his Son to be nailed to a tree. The crucifixion, followed three days later by the Resurrection, stands as a shocking display of God’s reach to a fractured and hurting world—a world which, in this present age, seems to be wobbling uncontrollably from the effects of unrestrained evil. The Resurrection reminds us that the final victory over evil will not be won by man, but by God—the One who is both transcendent and immanent; who is above all and, yet, in all; who spoke the universe into existence, and yet numbers the hairs on our head. He is the One who departed with the assuring promise, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

“Where was God?” we ask of this past week. The words of Elaine V. Emeth in a 1998 issue of Weavings cut deep as she addresses the horrors of another generation:

Where was God when the Holocaust took place? At Auschwitz and Birkenau, God was unloaded from transport trains; was terrorized, starved, and beaten with slave laborers; was gassed and cremated…Christ died one-and-a-half million deaths at Auschwitz and Birkenau…”

Although Ms. Emeth’s words can lessen our sense of isolation, the flesh and blood victims of evil’s reign need something more tangible. They need a flesh and blood Jesus. They need costly compassion from those who will touch them, comfort them, listen to their hurts, and dress their wounds.

The challenge for Christians now and always is that whenever and wherever the anguished cry of “Where is God?” wells up, it will be answered in the hands and feet, as well as in the prayers, of his image-bearers.

(Photo courtesy of Reuter's)

Comments

[Todd]

I do not entirely agree with the theology that is being presented on why a loving God would allow this masacre at VTU to happen. We live in a fallen world that began when Adam partook of the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. From that point, sin and death was introduced to mankind. The premise in why a loving God would allow this to happen, from a Biblical perspective a false premise. The premise assumes that people by default are good and deserve God's mercy just because they are good people. This also presumes that people earn their way into Heaven by virture of being good people. Once sin entered the world, men and women ceased being "good". We are born into and continually live with sin and its consequences. Unless we give our lives to Christ as our personal savior we are stained by sin for time and eternity. It is only because of the sacrifice of the perfect man who was also entirely God that we can be forgiven and washed clean from the stain of sin. It is a gracious and merciful God that has held back his righteous anger against His creation of mankind who has broken His laws. From a Biblical perspective, a more proper question would be, "Why has God been so merciful and gracious for so long? Why has He not yet destroyed all of his creation?" As Paul wrote to the Romans 3:21 - 26 (NIV), "But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand upunished - he did it do demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies the man who has faith in Jesus." Without faith in Jesus Christ we are not justified, we are not righteous, we are not free from the bondage of a sin stained eternity apart from God. We are not good without faith in Jesus Christ.

[Dennis Babish]

While the events of last Monday are horrendous is it really any different than the evil that happened in Baghdad today where over 180 people were slaughtered? Isn't this the evil of the lawless one mentioned by Paul in 2 Thessalonians? We as Christians should be repelled by this evil but not surprised by it. What I wonder is why doesn't it happen even more than it does. Again Paul tells us why in 2 Thessalonians 2:7 "For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way." So it is this restraint that prevents more evil than we already see. Where was God on Monday? The same place He was on Sunday. On His throne wanting His creation to choose life not death. The lesson for each of us is that we need salvation today right now for we do not know what tomorrow will bring.

[Singapore]

My heart goes out to all the students at VT. It is not easy to handle something like this, much less, at your own campus, the very place one should feel secure and protected. When something bad like this happens, there are two choices presented to us. First - to deny God, turn angry, be bitter, seek revenge, or Second - to choose to trust and believe that God knows best, even when we dont understand, have no answer or simply refuse to trust. God is Sovereign. Who are we, His created beings, have any right to say what should and should not happen? God already said many years ago that evil will grow and abound as the end draws near. As Christians, we should not be surprised, but to expect such things to occur. The enemy is working hard to turn people's hearts from God. Not just the non-believers, but more so, to turn the believers away from God. He knows he does not have much time left before he meets his final end. If we just ask God for an answer to why this was allowed, I'm sure He would reveal to those who seek after His heart. The world is unfair. It is something we have to accept as part of living in this sinful world. But when we choose God over all else, we will experience a peace that transcends all understanding, even in the midst of chaos and disasters. This is the perfect time for Christians students on campus to stand strong for the Lord, and step out to help those who are suffering. We are called to be different. We have to be different because we are God's people.He empowers us to stay strong and to influence others for His glory. To all brothers and sisters in Christ on campus, choose to trust in the sovereignty and goodness of God. Guard your faith against the enemy. As you pass this faith test, you will find yourself maturing and growing to a next level of intimacy with our Lord Jesus Christ!

[Rev. Dr. Charles D. Lumpkin]

The old spiritual calls out "in the midst of tribulation stand by me." When ask where God was during the darkest of times, this song reminds us that God is walking into the death chambers with the prisoners, standing with the innocent when the roadside bomb goes off, sitting in the Virginia Tech classroom by the dying holding them in a holy embrace, and weeping with those that have lost loved ones to terror and death. Our God is a God who comes, embraces and holds us. It is a time of saddness and reflection on the campus of Virginia Tech. God, who knows us all by first name, will remain there and be with all who call upon the Holy Name.

[Robin Skadoski]

I was born in the United States and have the belief that God lives within each of us. With this belief it is hard to understand why God would be questioned when a tragedy such as this occurs. I think a more effective question would be how this young man came to secure the weapons, as well as, others have done to be able to do such a thing? Have we as a people not learned our lesson after the "World Trade Center" which to my opinion had nothing to do with "God" either!

[Kim Wallace]

I know that no words are ever going to heal our broken hearts. However, we are born into sin that is a fundamental fact in the Bible. But with that we do have free will and we can choose what to do day in and day out. If you walk into a dark room, you cannot see where you are going, can’t see what’s in front of you or what’s going on. You have to consciously turn on that light. Same goes for our schools and this society. If you don’t have light it is dark...the absence of God. It does take a village to raise a child and the sooner we are all willing to step up as Christians, make the statement "we CHOOSE God over all the violence, hate, lust, and distrust” the sooner we can begin to have a safer place to dwell. The devil cannot rule in a place where God reigns. Take God out of our culture and out of our schools, you'll see terror begin because Satan has begun his time. So where is God? I am thinking maybe we should have thought it through more when we deny Him access into our lives; homes, work, and our schools. Only when He gets the glory, in good times and times of crisis, that we receive blessings from Him and can run off evil. Keep your stronghold in faith that God will heal and bring blessings and mercy to those affected in this tragedy. His will be done, whether that is what we want or not. Stop being so pleasure-driven and see that our desires are not that of the Father. We are here to please Him and do His will…not our own.

[Mary Grace Vandergriff]

I AM VERY OFFENDED BY THOSE WHO ARE BLAMING OUR LORD AND SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST! THIS IS NOT GOD'S FAULT;NOR DOES HE PUNISH THE INNOCENT! THIS IS THE WORKS OF THE DEVIL HIMSELF! THE DEVIL DOES NOT WANT PEACE IN THE WORLD, PEACE IN THE SCHOOLS, AND ESPECIALLY RELIGION IN PUBLIC PLACES AND SCHOOLS! I AM VERY OFFENDED! THIS IS THE WORKS OF THE DEVIL!

[Sandi Harrington]

Where was God on Monday? I pray He can be seen in each of His children's hearts; in the way we remember the victims and their families in our prayers. In the way we reach out to them with our touch; in the way we embrace His kindness in our lives by how we treat one another with dignity, honor and respect. I pray He can be seen in our responses of love and compassion. I pray He can be seen in His comfort, mercy and in His grace.

[Mary Grace Vandergriff]

Those who died before their time on Monday, let me reassure their families: they are in God's Glorious Kingdom.
They went through the Pearly White Gates of Heaven;the white fluffy clouds above.
They are no longer in suffering and pain;they are with Our Lord Jesus Christ and Our Creator. They are in His Kingdom, awaiting their place that Jesus has set aside for them. And not only that....they will be awaiting you with opened arms when its your time to be there. Just remember that they are safe in Our Lord's Hands;with the Holy Trinity - Father;Son;and Holy Spirt. May they rest in peace. Amen.

[Doris Porter]

I am saddened beyond words. Based on some of the forewarnings of the odd behavior of the young killer I think today the two words 'tolerance' and 'diversity' sweeping across America were the basis for overlooking the warning signals. My heart and prayers go out to the families of those whose lives were taken and to the survivors of the attack.

[Juan Hernandez]

By the Supreme Courts decree back in 1966
God was publicly UNinvited to enter the
public schools. Thanks to Madelin Murray
O'Hair.---go figure!!
Comment:---it isn't scriptrual to say who
enters and who doesn't enter heaven.

[Sandra Terrell]

I have a nephew that attends V Tech and as his dad and I both have stated, we don't know why this happened,but God is yet God and He does care for the welfare of His children.

All of us should contnue to pray for "everyone" involved in this situation,especially the young adults and instructors that have to return to that environment.

[Shannon]

Robert F. Kennedy said it best,"Tragedy is a tool for the living to gain wisdom,Not a guide by which to live."

[Jed]

Where is God? Right beside us as He has always been: "I stand at the door and knock..." The real question here is where were the Christians in this poor lads life? We all know they were there. Is there someone you know, or someone you could have been compassionate to, or someone you have yet to meet, who you could impact by even the slightest act of God's love? The shooter's comments "You made me do this" pierced me to the core. Who have I left stranded on the side of the road, or left hungry on the street corner, or stepped away from because of their BO. Gracious Father, help us all to be more watchful of those in our midst who are hurting so much as to focus all of their attention on harming the least of us. Amen.

[Jason Taylor]

"I do not entirely agree with the theology that is being presented on why a loving God would allow this masacre at VTU to happen. We live in a fallen world that began when Adam partook of the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. From that point, sin and death was introduced to mankind. The premise in why a loving God would allow this to happen, from a Biblical perspective a false premise. The premise assumes that people by default are good and deserve God's mercy just because they are good people."

Actually it presumes that people deserve mercy because they are people not because they are good. If mercy is a function of goodness then I have a right to kick a drunkard sprawled on the sidewalk as I pass him on the street because I am in a sense better then he("I thank thee O Lord that I am not as other men are..."). Assuming that it is a claim to man's goodness is wrong. It is closer to say it is a challenge to God's sovereignity, but that would be wrong too. What it is is the expression of a temptation to challenge God's sovereignity. It is also grief and bewilderment. It cannot be answered in the manner you did , not because it is wrong-though I think you misinterpreted in that case-but because it is inappropriate and makes you sound like a Job's comforter.