September 23, 2013
Psalm 34:18-19 — The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.
What’s On At The Movies?
movie-related set of thoughts …
We’ve got our tickets for tomorrow’s showing of Kirk Cameron’s latest movie — it’s a documentary about God’s place in the middle of tragedy. It’s a question that occupies my mind quite often as tragedy, public and private, seems to be a more and more persistent drumbeat in our ears.
For thousands of years the answer to this most basic of questions has seemed elusive.
I don’t think I have an answer, just another angle. It occurred to me today that even the way believers have thought about the problem has changed across the covenantal divide.
The Old Testament believer generally believed that people got what they deserved. Job’s “comforters” were perhaps the best examples. Eliphaz says “Remember, I pray thee, who ever perished, being innocent? or where were the righteous cut off? Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same.” Bildad chimes in with “Behold, God will not cast away a perfect man, neither will he help the evil doers:” and Zohar caps it off with “And that he would shew thee the secrets of wisdom, that they are double to that which is! Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth.” — that is, “Cheer up Job, you should be even worse off”!
In his way, even David supports the “just desserts” perspective. “Look” he says, “if you repent, God will take care of you!”
The New Testament views things slightly differently. In a grace economy it can’t be about crime and punishment. In fact, the situation must be more nuanced.
- Some tragedies are certainly the consequences of actions — our’s or other people’s.
- There are other things that just seem to be random — the effects of “natural” causes.
- Yet more terrible things seem to “just happen” — inexplicably — most devastating of all.
Both Old and New Testament believers share one truth. Everything that happens is under God’s control. The difference is about law and grace. Before Jesus came, a belief in a wrathfully punishing God — and a God who rewarded those who managed to observe the law — was the norm.
Christians believe in no such petty God. It complicates the question of tragedy — there is no simple answer.
I loved Kirk Cameron in “Fireproof”, one of the great Christian Sherwood movies. I’m really interested in what he does with the subject of tragedy in the new film.
We’re looking forward to being at the movie tomorrow. Why don’t you come too?