Interesting hearing the Christian response to the disaster on TV in particular. On Christian channels, and the most popular, one Songs Of Praise in the UK, the answer to why God has done this is not to test us or definately not judgement. One reverend described people who think it is some kind of judgement as fools (Rev John Bell). His response was the reason why the Tsunami raised and wiped out so many people, was so in the resulting pain and grief God can share in the suffering and be there with his children.
He then seemed to imply God had nothing to do with the disaster. Because the people once asked Jesus why the tower fell on a group of them, they asked if it was a Judgement. Jesus just said "no it was simply a tower and it fell" The reverend likened this story to the disaster, these were his own words.
So my Question to Christians who scan this board, is does God in Christianity as you practice it have any control over the elements? Because according to this reverend on TV he doesn't, things just happen for no reason. This is opposite to Islamic thought...
<b><i>"Not for (idle) sport did We create the heavens and the earth and all that is between!" (The Noble Qur'an 21-16)</i></b>
Please help. Am confused. Genuine Question. Was this reverend an Idiot, or is this the view you hold give or take a denomination or sect. I'm not asking for the Christian "Answer" to this disaster as we can all agree only God knows best. But i'm interested in how a Christian explains this to themselves, to the best of their Human ability.
Assalamu Alalikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh