The doctrine of providence has been used to support the idea that God is working out Gods purposes in the world, even if Gods purposes are advanced through evil and suffering. Theologians such as Calvin and C. S. Lewis have suggested that we may never fully understand evil and suffering because of the limitations of our own human insight and the mysteriousness of Gods work in the world. Significant and enduring questions have been raised with regard to Gods providence, especially when human beings face tragic situations caused by natural disaster or as we inflict suffering upon one another. How could God, who cares so much for the world, let such bad things happen to good people? If we believe in Gods infinite goodness, it is difficult to make the case that Gods purposes can be furthered through social and economic structures that discriminate against people on the basis of race, gender, or class, or through the genocide that the world witnessed in the Holocaust. In these and many other examples, people are unable to find Gods protection. So much suffering exists today that it is sometimes hard to believe that there is anything greater than us that can protect us or the world we live in. Sometimes it seems that God fails us. How can we continue to pray with the psalmist that God is our refuge, fortress, and protector, in light of these horrific events? To claim that God cares for the world and continues to be involved in creation does not necessarily mean that God uses human and environmental suffering as a teaching tool. As we interpret this psalm, we must acknowledge that our worldview has changed since this psalm was written. The psalmist had a much simpler view of the universe and causality. Scientific study has opened up for us new ways of thinking about the creation of the world and Gods involvement in it. As God lives in relationship with the world, God is also limited in what God can determine as the end of particular events. Process theologian Burton Cooper describes God as boundless, yet limited. Cooper encourages us to use the metaphor of the universe for the extensiveness of Gods power: As the universe is not in space but creates space, and is therefore boundless, so Gods power is not simply in the universe but creates the universe and extends through it. As the universe is dynamic and yet, at any given time, has outer limits, so Gods power is dynamic and yet limited. It is not simply that God can act upon the world and protect us like a magical formula that saves us from danger. We also have to recognize our own responsibility and potential to help God realize Gods hopes and dreams for the whole creation. The words of the psalmist teach us that we should not be tempted to vest our interests in our own limited abilities to bring about transformation, in isolation from Gods larger vision for the common good. Neither should we retreat and seek to find false refuge in theologies that have been used in the past to disregard human responsibility for the suffering of others or our planet. So much suffering that exists today is caused by human hands. As we reflect on Psalm 91 during Lent, we can reevaluate our way of thinking and refocus our practices, so that we can move closer to a celebration of the day that reminds us that our comfort and protection are found in fully participating in Gods redemptive work in the world. --Elizabeth L. Hinson-Hasty, Feasting on the Word
Posted on: Sat, 15 Feb 2014 03:34:37 +0000
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