What do you mean by “Act of God?”

Disasters are chronicled every hour of every day somewhere in the world. Within one week there have been three flooding events in the United States that have stolen lives. Amid rescue and recovery operations in Texas’ Hill Country, recriminations were bandied about by media and the ever-present influencers before all the facts were in hand.

It has become a regular issue among reporters, representing legacy or citizen-backed media, to reach conclusions with limited information. Sensationalism has not diminished with the rise of citizen journalism. It has been exaggerated for the sake of gaining recognition and followers, and it is a dangerous policy that leaves the public ruminating over incomplete information and reaching, what could be, inaccurate conclusions.

The horrific flooding that snared hundreds of individuals, including dozens of innocent children caught by the torrent, has become a vehicle for accusations emanating from all sides. Facts are slow to be verified in the wake of disasters, including those of natural origin. The penchant to attach blame is rooted in a need to know that can assuage hurt and anguish, but is more likely, these days, to have political innuendo. Media-driven politics is inappropriate though evident as it can assume, and has assumed, overtones of religious and personal defamation.

For lack of facts, the first accusatory volleys were launched at the president, followed by racial and religious slurs against victims. Then blame was directed at possible cloud seeding activity, and “climate denialism,” but the final finger-pointing is derived from the language of insurers, condemning the usual suspect – God.

When confronting a phenomenon or disaster that is inexplicable or overwhelming, it has become a long-standing practice to lay blame at the feet of God. “Act of God” has been incorporated into both faith and legal terminology, and, as in the instance of devastation in Texas, North Carolina, and New Mexico, is invoked by preachers, commentators, and social media users.

But is it true?

For corporations, municipalities, and government agents caught in the crosshairs of accountability, God is the handy scapegoat because no one else is conveniently available to shoulder liability, particularly if it entails financial compensation. Hence, the legal wording to hide behind.

For the faith community, the implications of handing the reins over to God because He’s “in charge” is another avoidance of assigning responsibility. These phrases are unjustly applied to God as being “in charge” of everything on the earth, which then must include all the evil that occurs. The question is if that is a fair assessment when 1John 1:5 says “that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all;” or Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” KJV

There are inconsistencies within Christian rhetoric that’s often delivered, hoping to ease the emotions of believers who are in the midst of suffering, as are those families whose children have been swept away. The thoughts that are stirred may not be reassuring when faith leaders and empathizers cite “God is in charge” in compassion. What it brings forth is discomfiture that God meant to destroy families and property because His will supposedly can’t be fathomed. Instead of offering comfort it raises doubt and, for some, a questioning of faith.

God is indeed the Creator of All, but why do believers set aside what’s taught in Genesis Chapters One through Three?

The first reference is where God gives man dominion in the earth… Genesis 1:26 “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” KJV

Then in Chapter Three, Man relinquished his dominion to that of satan, the enemy, which ushered in a broken world: Genesis 3:17 “And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; 18 thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; 19 in the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.” KJV

As well, God’s mandate of Genesis 1:26 was reiterated in Chapters Eight and Nine to Noah after the floodwaters had subsided. Though it should be noted that God did not restate Man’s dominion, because it may be assumed that was not wrested back from the hand of satan. Full salvation could not be fulfilled until the coming of Messiah.

If the earth was given over to the sway of the enemy of God, also known as Lucifer who was cast out of heaven with a third of the angels (Is 14:12-16, Rev 12:3-4), then there is contradiction in thinking that God is “in charge” and, so, must be the one delivering evil to its inhabitants. (John 12:30-31, 16:11, Eph 2:2)

It also should direct scrutiny to the phrase “Act of God” when disasters wreak havoc on the earth. If, indeed, God gave dominion to Man and through the act of Adam power was given to the adversary, then it isn’t God conducting natural catastrophes.

What should be relied upon is how Man still has the ability to call upon God’s power to heal, strengthen and, most importantly, save by inviting His presence through prayer. Ephesians 1:19-20 and 3:20-21, 1John 5:14-15, 2Corinthians 9:8, tell us to do this, and, just for good measure, Isaiah 65:24 tells us God answers before we even ask.

If these things are true, then we can be assured that God’s will for us is good, and He’s the one who gives us a way out, even through the worst of life’s tests and experiences: 1Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” NKJV

Whether or not this is of any solace to those suffering through the traumatic effects of tragedy, loss, or disease, it is for believers to rely on God to bring us through when we call upon His power that is able to do so.