"Benjamin Franklin invented the lightning rod in 1749. Yet because of opposition from local clergymen—man should not dare 'avert the stroke of heaven'—the lighthouse did not receive protection from God's thunderbolts for more than two decades." – The New York Review, May 26, 2016
Imagine the thinking of some people: We shouldn't protect ourselves from lightning, lest we interfere with God's judgment.
Abandoning their responsibility, criticizing those trying to help, and blaming their warped thinking on God.
"This is how God set things up."
Interesting theology, I think we can agree.
If we carried that reasoning to its natural lengths, no one should wear seat belts or repair the brakes on cars just in case the Father in heaven had planned to kill us that morning.
God should always be given a free hand in these things.
According to the authorities, the San Andreas Fault, that break in the earth's crust running up and down California, is overdue for delivering the mother of all earthquakes. One expert said, "The San Andreas is 10 months pregnant."
When that happens, as we are assured it will, two things will follow: Devastation on a massive scale and lazy theologians blaming it all on God.
"Why did God allow this to happen?"
Remember, you heard it here.
Following the Katrina-related flooding of New Orleans in 2005, these shallow thinkers announced, "God is judging you." As though the laws of physics are arbitrarily enforced or restrained by the Lord, depending on whether He chooses to bless or curse today.
Sheesh.
The painful thing about this is in most cases these self-appointed judges consider themselves Christians. They would leave people to drown in flooded houses and abandon devastated cities all because "God did this."
Lazy theologians blame God because they prefer not to do any actual thinking about these things. When they try to think about great issues like this, their brain hurts.
Calling natural disasters "acts of God" is the lazy man's way of identifying a normal occurrence in place for the safety and well-being of this small planet, held there and kept operating by a complex system that requires volcanoes and earthquakes as well as storms.
This planet needs storms and earthquakes to keep it functioning.
What Earth does not need is a) people building on quake fault lines and in flood plains and b) lazy theologians blaming God for anything they dislike. 
After five years as director of missions for the 100 Southern Baptist churches of metro New Orleans, Joe McKeever retired on June 1, 2009. These days, he has an office at the First Baptist Church of Kenner, where he's working on three books, and he's trying to accept every speaking/preaching invitation that comes his way.
For the original article, visit joemckeever.com.
Get Spirit-filled content delivered right to your inbox! Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.
Dr. Mark Rutland's
National Institute of Christian Leadership (NICL)
The NICL is one of the top leadership training programs in the U.S. taught by Dr. Mark Rutland. If you're the type of leader that likes to have total control over every aspect of your ministry and your future success, the NICL is right for you!
FREE NICL MINI-COURSE - Enroll for 3-hours of training from Dr. Rutland's full leadership course. Experience the NICL and decide if this training is right for you and your team.
Do you feel stuck? Do you feel like you’re not growing? Do you need help from an expert in leadership? There is no other leadership training like the NICL. Gain the leadership skills and confidence you need to lead your church, business or ministry. Get ready to accomplish all of your God-given dreams. CLICK HERE for NICL training dates and details.The NICL Online is an option for any leader with time or schedule constraints. It's also for leaders who want to expedite their training to receive advanced standing for Master Level credit hours. Work through Dr. Rutland's full training from the comfort of your home or ministry at your pace. Learn more about NICL Online. Learn more about NICL Online.
