Expert: Rev. Robert Woods - 2/7/2005

Question
   Hi Rev. Woods,

I have very different questions this time. Regarding the recent Asian tsunami, I personally believe it was a divine chastisement, a warning from God to change our lives. Do you agree with me? My second question concerns marriage. As you may know, the Canadian government plans to introduce legislation to extend marriage to homosexuals. Of course there is opposition to this, but I truly feel one church stands above others in making its opposition know: the Catholic church. Can you tell me why Protestant churches and church leaders in particular, don't seem too visible on this issue?

Thanks.
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Answer
Blessings and thank you for your questions.

1. Tsunami- There are many preachers and prophets who are saying that the tsunami was divine punishment on the Muslim and Pagan peoples in the east. (of course Muslim leaders are saying it was punishment from God because these countries were embracing the west)  It is my view that all natural disasters are warnings from the Lord.  Jesus said their would be earthquakes (the source of the tsunami)and other calamities as warnings that He was coming soon.  
Could this tsunami have been a punishment on these nations?  Possibly, but there is no way to know for certain unless the Lord tells us.  Disasters and death are a part of the fallen world.  "For the wages of sin is death." Rom 6:23  

2. Marriage - the issue of homosexuality has split many protestant denominations and churches.  Baptists have a clear stand that homosexuality is a sin.  But even within the baptist denominations there are some who don't believe this.  Most protestant denominations have become so liberal that they are embracing this movement. Thankfully,  there are many who are fighting against it (Southern Baptist Convention, Focus on the Family, American Center for law and justice, Assembly of God churches).