Saturday I commented on what you can DO in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and I promised to provide some resources about how to THINK about Hurricane Katrina. Here it is. There have been a lot of commentaries and writings about God’s sovereignty and natural disasters, but I’ve found the following to be the most helpful.

We gave out two articles at church yesterday. Both of these require some theological consideration, but I think you’ll find them worth the effort.

First, theologian and seminary professor Russell Moore wrote an article called “Christ, Katrina, and My Hometown.” A quotation that briefly sums up this article:

“As Christians we know something about Katrina that the rest of the world just can’t know: This is not the way it is meant to be.”

Next, pastor/theologian Sam Storms wrote “Katrina, Common Grace, and a Theory About the End of the Age” in his email newsletter. This is a weighty article, but I think it’s the best thing I’ve read that has been written about Katrina. This quotation will give you a taste of this article’s flavor:

“All Christians know that divine grace is the unmerited favor and mercy of God that saves sinners from a well-deserved eternal death, but few have given thought to the concept of common grace.”

Finally, John Piper wrote a hymn about God’s sovereignty and natural disasters called “Famine Flood and Failing Fortune.” It’s based on Psalm 105:16:

“When he summoned a famine on the land and broke all supply of bread…”

This will make for a rather long post, but I thought it would be worth reprinting the text of the hymn here:

When the staff is broken,
And in judgment spoken
Righteousness is heard,
Think not God is silent,
Though the famine violent,
This is but His word.
He stands not to give account.
It is we who must before Him.
Come, let us adore Him!

When the flood is breaking
And your fear is waking,
Comfort not your soul,
Thinking the Almighty
Yielded up the right He
Once had to control.
Every river and the seas
Do His sovereign bidding purely.
This is comfort surely.

When your fortunes fail you,
Deep diseases ail you
And your death is near,
Know that Christ your Maker
He alone is Taker
Of your life and fear,
Fall before His power and pray:
Jesus, I now trust you merely,
You have bought me dearly.

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