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MPhil 2003: The Problem of Evil: Anglican and Baptist Perspectives: Bangor University
Natural Disasters
Woods linked the fall of humanity and creation under human dominion, to the terrible natural disasters that took place. Although he mentioned that classifying natural events and calamities can be dangerous because often many good things in nature come out of what appear to be calamities. An example that comes to mind is that excessive rain can cause flooding and death but can also provide an area with ample water supply.
He stated concerning disaster:
Natural Calamities
The divine rearrangement of nature from that of a protective environment to that of a dangerous one, allowing for human death as punishment of sin, permits nature to go on the rampage. Part of its "groaning" (Rom. 8:22) includes the area of natural catastrophe, floods, earthquakes, and hurricanes. Woods (1974)(1982: 37).
Mounce described the situation in Romans 8:22 as: "Currently, however, the entire universe is in travail as if it were giving birth." Mounce (1985:185). Mounce then goes on to quote Bruce, as will I, when he stated: "But the condition here described has apparently been going on since the fall; in any case, it carries with it hope of new life for all creation." Bruce (1996: 164). The damage done by humankind in the fall can be restored through the atoning work of Christ and his culmination upon his return.
Cranfield stated of this verse:
Two thoughts, already implicit in v.19, are here expressed more clearly, on the one hand, the thought of the creation’s present painful condition, and on the other hand, the thought that the painful condition is not to no purpose but will have a worthwhile issue (expressed by the image of travail). Cranfield (1992: 198). This idea is in agreement with Woods who stated: " . . . every aspect of the fallen natural world not only contributes to man’s death, but also points man towards divine delivery." Woods (1974)(1982: 37). Natural disasters, like death, demonstrate human weakness and the fact that creation is a dangerous place. It is not within the human capability to defeat the evils of death and natural disaster, only God himself can overcome these.
I tend to reason the laws of universe have remained the same since before the fall, but that is a deduction. Human beings require an immortal body for continued physical survival in this material universe (1 Corinthians 15). This will have physical and spiritual attributes (1 Corinthians 15:44). Romans 8 speaks of in verse 20 creation being subject to futility. Mounce states the universe was frustrated by Adam's sin and there needs to be a new heaven and new earth of 2 Peter 3 and Revelation 21. Mounce (1995: 184-185).
In this sense, at least, because of human sin the present universe is corrupted. Therefore, natural evils such as with Japan effect human beings harshly because persons are subject to death and decay because of the fall of Genesis 3.
BLACKBURN, S. (1996) Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy, Oxford, Oxford University Press.
BRUCE, F.F. (1996) Romans, Grand Rapids, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
CRANFIELD, C.E.B. (1992) Romans: A Shorter Commentary, Grand Rapids, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
ERICKSON, M. (1994) Christian Theology, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House.
MOUNCE, R.H. (1995) The New American Commentary: Romans, Nashville, Broadman & Holman Publishers.
WOODS, B.W. (1974) Christians in Pain, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House.
