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Tornadoes' Paths not Random, John Piper Says [Meteorology Caucus]
Associated Baptist Press ^ | 3/6/12 | Bob Allen

Posted on 03/07/2012 10:24:56 AM PST by marshmallow

MINNEAPOLIS (ABP) – An author and preacher popular in Calvinist circles says it is no accident that recent killer tornadoes followed paths that ravaged some communities while others were spared.

“Why would God reach down his hand and drag his fierce fingers across rural America killing at least 38 people with 90 tornadoes in 12 states, and leaving some small towns with scarcely a building standing, including churches?” John Piper of Desiring God ministries wrote in a blog March 5.

Piper, pastor for preaching at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, said it is wrong to ascribe power capable of causing an estimated $2 billion worth of property damage to Mother Nature or the devil.

“God alone has the last say in where and how the wind blows,” Piper said. “If a tornado twists at 175 miles an hour and stays on the ground like a massive lawnmower for 50 miles, God gave the command.”

Piper said he doesn’t know why if God has a quarrel with America that he wouldn’t show his displeasure in Washington or Hollywood instead of places like Henryville, Ind., but that “every deadly wind in any town is a divine warning to every town.”

(Excerpt) Read more at abpnews.com ...


TOPICS: Evangelical Christian; General Discusssion; Theology
KEYWORDS: baptists; christianity; theology
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To: circlecity
And there were present, at that very time, some that told him of the Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answering, said to them: Think you that these Galileans were sinners above all the men of Galilee, because they suffered such things? No, I say to you: but unless you shall do penance, you shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen upon whom the tower fell in Siloe, and slew them: think you, that they also were debtors above all the men that dwelt in Jerusalem? No, I say to you; but except you do penance, you shall all likewise perish.

Matthew 13: 1-5

This passage makes it clear that God may, if he so chooses, visit disaster upon us but that not every disaster is God's explicit doing.

21 posted on 03/07/2012 10:45:56 AM PST by marshmallow (.)
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To: marshmallow
God created nature and nature does as nature should.

God can bring good things out of the bad things that happen. For example:

Bad - Obama elected
Good - Millions awaken from their slumber as to their freedoms and are willing to fight, well only so far as I don't have to leave the house. (Tea Party members excluded)

Bad - Andrew Breitbart dies unexpectedly.
Good - Millions are again awaken, but this time are willing to stand up for God, Family and Country and speak the truth without fear as Andrew did.

God's ways are not our ways, but I have to believe God is in charge of everything!

B3!
22 posted on 03/07/2012 11:03:56 AM PST by JPII Be Not Afraid
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To: marshmallow

Marshmallow, would you please write a short post on “Why I rejoice in being Roman Catholic!” Something positive, inspiring, and uplifting! It would make your posts a delight to read!


23 posted on 03/07/2012 11:08:16 AM PST by WestwardHo
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To: marshmallow
"This passage makes it clear that God may, if he so chooses, visit disaster upon us but that not every disaster is God's explicit doing."

I don't see that passage as making your coclusion clear at all. All this passage says is that when God visits disaster on someone it doesn't mean it was because they were worse sinners than those who weren't victims of such a disaster. Judgment will come to all. As Amos tell us, all disasters are the work of God, we just have no business trying to assume we know God's reasons or motives for each act he does.

24 posted on 03/07/2012 11:10:35 AM PST by circlecity
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To: marshmallow

My old pastor likes Piper. I stopped liking my old church about the same time my old pastor started quoting Piper and friends.

It is horrible doctrine. It makes you feel like bad things happen to people because they have done something wrong (which can be the case, but not necessarily).


25 posted on 03/07/2012 11:12:16 AM PST by luckystarmom
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To: aruanan
Most of them are down to a tulip with the one petal of eternal security.

If you blab it and grab it, maybe you can overcome a deep insecurity and inferiority complex. It's all about them. "God" is simply a magical incantation.

Nobody is predestined to either follow or reject the Two Commandments of Christ.

26 posted on 03/07/2012 11:15:18 AM PST by MarkBsnr (I would not believe in the Gospel, if the authority of the Catholic Church did not move me to do so.)
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To: marshmallow

nutcase.


27 posted on 03/07/2012 11:17:18 AM PST by Matchett-PI ("Andrew loved the battle and he knew the stakes." ~ Mark Levin 3/2/12)
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To: marshmallow

28 posted on 03/07/2012 11:18:19 AM PST by bigbob
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To: MarkBsnr

Exactly


29 posted on 03/07/2012 11:18:56 AM PST by Matchett-PI ("Andrew loved the battle and he knew the stakes." ~ Mark Levin 3/2/12)
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To: circlecity

You are correct. Also, we are reformed because God caused it to be so. I’m thankful for it.


30 posted on 03/07/2012 11:21:45 AM PST by crghill (Silly Mormons, God is triune.)
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To: circlecity
As Amos tell us, all disasters are the work of God,.....

Is evil "the work of God"?

31 posted on 03/07/2012 11:21:49 AM PST by marshmallow (.)
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To: marshmallow

I’m always surprised to see Christians taking the lord’s name in vain.

When you say “God is punishing you because I am right and you are wrong.”, that’s your own vanity speaking, not God.

You’re just using God’s name as a cudgel.

That’s a sin bubba.


32 posted on 03/07/2012 11:25:52 AM PST by fruser1
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To: what's up
Basically, he's saying that God is sovereign over everything. He's in control.

Sovereignty of God is not synonymous with God instigating and orchestrating every physical, chemical and biological event. God gave us the laws of physics which govern creation, including weather patterns. This means there is no need for God to trace the path of a tornado any more than He must trace the path of the #15 bus which takes people home from work. Is he any less "sovereign" for this?

God sometimes intervenes and suspends these laws of physics. We call these events "miracles".

33 posted on 03/07/2012 11:30:02 AM PST by marshmallow (.)
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To: marshmallow

When man sinned the wheels were set in motion, God could no longer walk with man in the cool of the garden, and in many ways, was left on his own in a world without the overriding protection of God. We chose to go it alone, and so far, it ain’t been working out well, that’s all there is to it folks. We sinned, the world became a hazard instead of a blessing.


34 posted on 03/07/2012 11:32:36 AM PST by Scythian
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To: marshmallow
"Is evil "the work of God"?"

Evil isn't a thing - it's the absence of good. And it is all our (human's) fault and and has been since the first transgression of the fall.

35 posted on 03/07/2012 11:34:48 AM PST by circlecity
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To: Jemian; nuke rocketeer

To be fair, he said most. In which Calvinist church were you raised? It does make a difference.


36 posted on 03/07/2012 11:36:08 AM PST by SeaHawkFan
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To: marshmallow
“We are not God’s counselors, nor can we fathom all his judgments,” he said. “That was the lesson of Job. Let us beware, therefore, of reading the hand of providence with too much certainty or specificity. God is always doing a thousand things when he does anything. And we see but a fraction.”

Piper Himself is saying one cannot read the hand of Providence.

He's merely stating God's judging qualities and His authority over everything. I don't have a problem with a Preacher reminding people of that.

You're reading too much into this.

37 posted on 03/07/2012 11:37:44 AM PST by what's up
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To: marshmallow

The Arminians have Pat Robertson and the Calvinists have the likes of John Piper.

Piper is a hyper-Calvinists, but there are worse.


38 posted on 03/07/2012 11:40:17 AM PST by SeaHawkFan
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To: SeaHawkFan

I wasn’t raised in a calvinist church. Upon studying the Bible, I chose to be a calvinist (/heavy irony). I’m now a member of the PCA (Presbyterian Church in America, one of the conservative presbyterian churches).


39 posted on 03/07/2012 11:43:41 AM PST by Jemian
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To: SeaHawkFan

Poor Robertson. He can’t help being an Arminian. </more irony>


40 posted on 03/07/2012 11:45:28 AM PST by Jemian
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