Katrina Questions The Bipolar God

I don't feel I can let the events of the past week-plus go by without mentioning some of my thoughts surrounding Hurricane Katrina. (Note to self: do not name first daughter or son 'Katrina.' Speaking of, why do they have to name Hurricanes after people at all? How do you think all the little Katrinas of New Orleans feel? Can't you just call it 'Hurricane CheeseWhiz' or 'Hurricane Sucks-To-Be-You' and save these kids years of therapy? But I digress...) For me, I was aware of the situation before it occurred based on the predictions of the experts who saw the storm headed for the city. I waited, saw, and over the course of the next days, was increasingly amazed and heartbroken for the people and lives that have been forever changed. By the time I was hearing news of rapes and murders and street war in the Superdome, I was well into disbelief, and wished I could run for denial. But the images and stories kept on coming, and with them, the reality of the tragedy.

Then, I had to put up with strings of mass e-mails and blogs and articles blaming everyone from President Bush to... well, President Bush. And Newt Gingrich, just because his name is Newt, and a newt is a slimy water-dwelling worm. And the Lucky Charms Leprechaun, because honestly- what the heck has he been doing to respond to this disaster? It goes on and on... but there is someone that really hasn't taken the blame for this - and that's God.

One the one hand, that's not surprising. The people that believe in God period don't generally like to think of Him as the "city-razing" type - it's either bad for PR or just not comforting to imagine. Those that don't believe in God really can't blame Him fairly, since it's not even His fault He doesn't exist. Or something like that.

But bear with me a second. Is it *possible* that God is behind this? That He was in control of what happened? That He was the author of this destruction - and even death? Might he have sent Hurricane Katrina as judgment on a city? Is it possible for the God of Love to be involved? Honestly, even writing it makes me cringe. And I'm sure reading it kind of makes you feel... uncomfortable. Like maybe you don't want to think about it too deeply. Maybe you're nonchalantly dismissing it even as you continue to read this with growing disaffection. It might make you angry to suggest it. It sounds... blasphemous. Ludicrous. Absurd.

But then again, is there precedent - biblically, I mean? Isn't that why almost every news station has referred to New Orleans as a disaster of 'biblical' proportions? It wouldn't be the first time. I'm pretty sure God was behind at least one other flood. Or take a tour through Isaiah sometime, and check out what God says he's going to do with the Babylonians. Assyrians. Cushites. The list goes on. "But that's different" we say, because that was the "old, mean God" that came before the "loving, lamby-on-his-shoulders Jesus-God." The old God was angry with lots of people because of sin, but Jesus fixed that, and God's not as pissed anymore.

A lot of Christians live with this idea of semi-bipolar God. The Old Testament God is, well, old - and outdated. Jesus is the new cat in town, and he's a lot nicer for the most part (except for the occasional ramblings about 'eating my flesh and drinking my blood' stuff). But make no mistake - it's the same God. And yes, we can theologize about 'old covenant' vs. 'new covenant' all day long, but still - what's the deal?

I need to be careful here - because the point of this blog isn't really to argue a point, as much as ask some questions that I have been mulling myself. The thesis of this blog is definitely not: "I think God is punishing the sinful wickedness of New Orleans, and... we could be next!" I'm sure you thought I was going to wrap this up nicely. Nope. I have to go to bed! I definitely have some more thoughts on all this, but I'd rather leave you mulling for now; why are we willing to acknowledge that God is at work in healing the lives torn by this disaster, but not stopping to even consider whether He could have had a hand (or the hand) involved in the disaster itself as well? This isn't a case of hijackers acting of their 'own evil will' - it was an act of nature. Is God only in control of the good things in life? Are his hands tied because he's given us free-will and we live in a fallen world? Does he let Satan run rampant causing the destruction, and just help us to clean up the mess? Is nature just nature- whimsical and deadly - because it's a fallen, imperfect world? And where does the Lucky-Charms Leprechaun fit in to all of this, with his feigned perkiness and chalky marshmallows?!? These are the questions that go through my head at 2:14 a.m., after a long day of work.

Like I said, I definitely have some thoughts on this, but I'd be interested to hear yours before- or at least get you asking some of the tough questions involved.

And on a serious note: as your mulling, if you haven't already given to the relief effort, check out this site for a great summary of some places to start. Blessings.