ARE NATURAL DISASTERS PUNISHMENT FROM GOD?

When considering whether God is responsible for eathquakes today, the scale of such disasters hinges to some extent on the human element. For example, one factor is population density in high-risk areas. It has been said that nearly half the world’s big cities now lie in areas of seismic risk.

Another factor is buildings - the materials used and the structural quality. It can be reasonably argued that many people in poorer nations have no choice about this since they are too impoverished to build earthquake-resistant structures. The adage, “Earthquakes don’t kill people; buildings do,” is all too often proved true. Considering this, how can the results of any earthquake today be blamed on God?

Today, God is not responsible for natural disasters hurting innocent people because “God is love” (1 John 4:8). Deuteronomy 32:4 says that God is "perfect is his activity, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness, with whom there is no injustice; righteous and upright is he."

Ecclesiastes 9:11 simply tells us that “time and unforeseen occurrence befall [us] all”.

For more, see:

IS GOD RESPONSIBLE FOR NATURAL DISASTERS?

NATURAL DISASTERS and the Human Factor