I notice this avoidance of the issue also. Judy's response seems to be the most compassionate. I have to ask if Christianity is any longer a living force in the world for compassion, both for the physically needy and the spiritual needy? It seems so many christians attitude today just seems really cold. Especially reformers who seem to take the position that they don't need to show concern, or even evangelize, because the elect will be saved anyway if it's God's will. While I don't argue with that, God works out his will through our efforts.
Php 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
When I see disasters and tragedies I think what a marvelous opportunity to speak on the providence of God and the fleeting nature of life on this earth. Tragedy is a great opportunity to preach on everyone's need for a saviour. Unfortunately, many christians seem to take the attitude that if it's God's will, then we don't worry about it or try to help either spiritually or physically or with aid. Besides for the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee, I don't know of any other reformed group that is compassionate about these types of things.
I know that this is ultimately God's judgments and all in the providence of God, but I also question this perceived indifference by christians to this monumental tragedy in this week's Tsunamis. At first I thought it might be because it's not a biblical issue. But then I realized, this is a biblical issue, and a salvation issue. These people of the world need spiritual help, and they don't get it.
Mt 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Ac 13:47 For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.
God wants us to spread the gospel, not smirk at how God judged these people when disaters befall them. I'm beginning to think that some christians, and particularly reformed christians, are just aloof and show none of the compassion for others that Christ showed for them. When we see all this calamity and disaster around us, that's when people most ask, "why?" As christians we should seek to comfort them through the gospel, seek oportunity to explain God's vision, and point these souls in the direction of the gospel. I hear none of that, and what I heard on another forum is that they were all heathen and were judged. As you say, here it's almost as if everyone is oblivious to this disater, or at least attempting to appear so.
Mt 25:44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
This is the equivolent of seeing the battered man on the side of the road, and crossing to walk on the other side. Not as the good samaritan. There are all kinds of ministering, but I see, or rather feel, a lack of compassion by some christians.