As early as yesterday, the beliefnet.com editor Deborah Caldwell discussed the idea that God perhaps sent the recent hurricane Katrina to destroy New Orleans because of the depravity of the city, or perhaps because of United States’ refusal to support the Israeli settlers in the West Bank. Others suggested that the hurricane is just another manifestation of the “wages of sin” probably resulting in global warming, and the “pain” experienced by the earth because of the sin upon it. Whether or not this is true, a majority of Christians seem to think that there is an apocalyptic story unfolding and the destruction left by Katrina is part of the plan.

President Bush inspects the city of New Orleans

The problem raised by this kind of thinking is that we, who are not affected by the destruction of the hurricane are left with a dilemma. If we help the victims and help rebuild New Orleans for example, we are in fact working against the will of God, if His will is indeed to make people suffer or punish them for whatever reason. And if this is a just punishment from God for the wages of humanity’s sin, how is it that only a few hundred people appear to be dead? Did God screw up again and failed to kill all the inhabitants of New Orleans, or only a few hundred of them were in fact depraved enough to get death as punishment?

Furthermore, in light of the Calvinistic idea that man can do no good whatsoever apart from God, I am trying to understand how all the non-believers are suddenly offering to send help and aide to Louisiana. Even Hugo Chavez, the thug running the country of Venezuela offered fuel, oil and food to the displaced victims of the hurricane. I also e-mailed the CEO of my place of employment and suggested a company-wide drive to raise funds and perhaps partner-up with the Red Cross or another charity in order to provide help. It seems like it happened many times in the past, the heathen, non-Calvinistic United States of America will pull together again and help those hit by the disaster. The President is flying over the area assessing the damage and planning out how to provide help for the area. While I strongly disagree with the federal government providing welfare and financial aid to individual citizens, I am struggling to see how a secular, anti-Christian government that many Christians despise can actually move so quickly to help people in need.