Hurricane Katrina from a Christian perspective
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Just thought I would share an interesting article I read about hurricane Katrina...
http://www.whitestonepress.com/Katrina.htm -
article so long can someone do a summary.Originally posted by breytonhartge:Just thought I would share an interesting article I read about hurricane Katrina...
http://www.whitestonepress.com/Katrina.htm
I saw some Jewish terms inside so a bit interested here.
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It is too easy to spiritualise any worldly events and as a responsible Christian, I'd avoid doing such. It will be safe to assume that many who perished are Christians themselves who died together with the "sinners".
I'd seen too many "American Christian" websites make such claims. There are even some who'd go as far as stating that Christians were protected during 9/11.
Good read for what it's worth, but I'd stop short of saying that the analysis/interpretation is cast in stone. -
Cool! I was about to say something..Originally posted by Chin Eng:It is too easy to spiritualise any worldly events and as a responsible Christian, I'd avoid doing such. It will be safe to assume that many who perished are Christians themselves who died together with the "sinners".
I'd seen too many "American Christian" websites make such claims. There are even some who'd go as far as stating that Christians were protected during 9/11.
Good read for what it's worth, but I'd stop short of saying that the analysis/interpretation is cast in stone.
It's great for Christians to moderate Christians' views.. -
Well, Casualty 1 was a Franciscan priest with the New York Fire Department..
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We shall see how this perspective will stand by the repentance rate.
Since the writer was inspired that the purpose of that Hurricane Katrina was to call to people to repent. It shall serve it's purpose.
Otherwise, it's just another hotair article.
Let's judge the article by the fruits of the state.
I don't think that the article represents majority of Christian's perspective.
Cheers -
I am tempted to say that it is a perspective... but given the light that history does repeat itself... and that God prewarned or tried to warn the isrealites by disasters etc.. i think that we as Christians should be paying a lot more attention to what is happening in the world around us. The signs of the coming of age are clear. They are given to us in the bible, which is the word of God.
The number of natural disasters are increasing at an exponential rate... there is no harm as Christians for us to take heed of the events that are happening around us so that we remind ourselves to keep close to God at all times and that life is fragile and we can never tell what is going to happen in the next moment.
Mark 13:32-37
32 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. 34 It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. 35 Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning— 36 lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. 37 And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!”
Luke 21:34-35
34 “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. 35 For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth.
Matthew 16:1-4
1 Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing Him asked that He would show them a sign from heaven. 2 He answered and said to them, “When it is evening you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red’; 3 and in the morning, ‘It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Hypocrites![a] You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times. 4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.” And He left them and departed. -
Yes. Keep watching! But don't jump to any conclusion yet otherwise we may be deemed to be another false prophet. Discuss it but not to speculate too much.
Originally posted by breytonhartge:I am tempted to say that it is a perspective... but given the light that history does repeat itself... and that God prewarned or tried to warn the isrealites by disasters etc.. i think that we as Christians should be paying a lot more attention to what is happening in the world around us. The signs of the coming of age are clear. They are given to us in the bible, which is the word of God.
The number of natural disasters are increasing at an exponential rate... there is no harm as Christians for us to take heed of the events that are happening around us so that we remind ourselves to keep close to God at all times and that life is fragile and we can never tell what is going to happen in the next moment.
Mark 13:32-37
32 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. 34 It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. 35 Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning— 36 lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. 37 And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!”
Luke 21:34-35
34 “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. 35 For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth.
Matthew 16:1-4
1 Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing Him asked that He would show them a sign from heaven. 2 He answered and said to them, “When it is evening you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red’; 3 and in the morning, ‘It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Hypocrites![a] You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times. 4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.” And He left them and departed. -
nth against trying to find meaning to a disaster..
and i agree, that the end times are coming, and there are specific signs such as war and so on...
but what i can't stand about christianity is that christians always must link christianity to something..
take my dad for example.. i was watching lord of the rings 2, where gandalf is driving out sauraman from king theodin. my dad would mutter "see, demons will scared of god"
or when last time i watched this "Angel" series, and the vampire, Angel, was performing this exorcism ritual, then before that was his friend performing it, and something went wrong, and my dad would comment that his faith wasn't good enough.
i mean.. doh.. can't we just see a movie and just enjoy it for wat it is without trying to squeeze out some christian logic out of it? -
Do you know that Lord of the rings were written by christians? (They used to be athethist, btw) They are trying to show christian values in the movies.Originally posted by dumbdumb!:nth against trying to find meaning to a disaster..
and i agree, that the end times are coming, and there are specific signs such as war and so on...
but what i can't stand about christianity is that christians always must link christianity to something..
take my dad for example.. i was watching lord of the rings 2, where gandalf is driving out sauraman from king theodin. my dad would mutter "see, demons will scared of god"
or when last time i watched this "Angel" series, and the vampire, Angel, was performing this exorcism ritual, then before that was his friend performing it, and something went wrong, and my dad would comment that his faith wasn't good enough.
i mean.. doh.. can't we just see a movie and just enjoy it for wat it is without trying to squeeze out some christian logic out of it?
The chronicles of Narnia also written by christian. -
narnia i hvn see. is it out yet, yeah i know both of them are written by christians.
but that's not the point... the point is... why do christians try to squeeze christianity out of everything?
maybe katrina was an act of God's judgement, maybe its not, who knows?? why bother trying to dig out details and compare them with the gaza strip?
like i recently saw the myth with my parents, he would comment that reincarnation is a lie from satan .. etc etc etc.. but its just a movie, so why can't just enjoy it.. zzz -
Why do christians try to squeeze christianity out of everything?Originally posted by dumbdumb!:narnia i hvn see. is it out yet, yeah i know both of them are written by christians.
but that's not the point... the point is... why do christians try to squeeze christianity out of everything?
maybe katrina was an act of God's judgement, maybe its not, who knows?? why bother trying to dig out details and compare them with the gaza strip?
like i recently saw the myth with my parents, he would comment that reincarnation is a lie from satan .. etc etc etc.. but its just a movie, so why can't just enjoy it.. zzz
I think they want to prove that christianity is the truth and try to point people towards the One True God. In so doing, they may have put thing in wrong perception and mislead people into thinking otherwise........
What would you do if you are a parent yourself? Maybe your parents approach is more traditional, old fashioned type. Maybe when I am a parent myself one day, I would like to learn the more contemporary type of approach. -
I'm tempted to say that the quoted verses doesn't represent disaster. But it surely is in context in regard of end times and signs.Originally posted by breytonhartge:I am tempted to say that it is a perspective... but given the light that history does repeat itself... and that God prewarned or tried to warn the isrealites by disasters etc.. i think that we as Christians should be paying a lot more attention to what is happening in the world around us. The signs of the coming of age are clear. They are given to us in the bible, which is the word of God.
The number of natural disasters are increasing at an exponential rate... there is no harm as Christians for us to take heed of the events that are happening around us so that we remind ourselves to keep close to God at all times and that life is fragile and we can never tell what is going to happen in the next moment.
Mark 13:32-37
32 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. 34 It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. 35 Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning— 36 lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. 37 And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!”
Luke 21:34-35
34 “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. 35 For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth.
Matthew 16:1-4
1 Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing Him asked that He would show them a sign from heaven. 2 He answered and said to them, “When it is evening you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red’; 3 and in the morning, ‘It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Hypocrites![a] You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times. 4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.” And He left them and departed.
Please quote carefully.
Cheers -
I actually quoted the verses to encourage Christians to be watchful, the things that are going on around the world are a good indication of what is to come... and I am encouraging all Christians to judge themselves and to remain forever at the ready... Christ can return at any time.
also we ask for signs that God is true and real and that the bible speaks the truth, but when they are given many do not believe, therefore this world will also be given the sign of Jonah... if you understand, you understand, if not, gain understanding and wisdom...
I have not misquoted... they were intentional.
We as Christians should never be comfortable... if you are, you are lukewarm... and you know what God will do. We are always to be at the ready... so many of us play Church and never stand up for what counts, we go about our lives without the sense of urgency that Jesus is coming again and that the end times are near... God has called us to do one thing and one thing alone, to make known the Good news. It is our mandate and our life... God and Jesus is our mandate and our life. -
I already post my reply on a similar thread
What i can observe is, besides the topic starter, i dont see anyone taking the same stand. Hurrah!
Like what dumbdumb and mcsquare pointed out two things - fallacy of humans interpretation of a literature.
By the way, J R R Tolkien is a Catholic. -
Mabuhay.... I am in the Philippines this week......Originally posted by happyharvest:Do you know that Lord of the rings were written by christians? (They used to be athethist, btw) They are trying to show christian values in the movies.
The chronicles of Narnia also written by christian.
The problem really is there are Christians who'd condemned Lord of the Rings as satanic..... I know some of these folks personally. The argument can be: Tolkien may be a catholic, Peter Jackson sure is not....
I agree with dumbdumb... and as a father, my family would go watch a movie for the sake of watching a movie and not attempt to spiritualise the message. On the same note, I'd not attempt to demonise the message either.
I find Christianity loosing its credibility because of the various urban legend type stories being circulated. In many of such instances, they were all proven to be false.
Sure we can look at the wars and the earthquakes and the fires and attempt to draw parallel from the Bible. Hey, what's new.... wars, earthquakes and fires have been with us since the beginning of time and with the exception of war, most of the other events are geological in nature and can be or have been predicted.
It is not the case of a Christian, say myself, being sanitised to the events, but by circulating Christianized warning, what does that prove other that making ourselves sounding extremely snooty. -
i agree, everytime natural disasters and stuff like that happen, there are extremists who will research and fork out every bit of detail that can be used in their favour.Originally posted by M©+square:We shall see how this perspective will stand by the repentance rate.
Since the writer was inspired that the purpose of that Hurricane Katrina was to call to people to repent. It shall serve it's purpose.
Otherwise, it's just another hotair article.
Let's judge the article by the fruits of the state.
I don't think that the article represents majority of Christian's perspective.
Cheers -
Again i'm feeling uncomfortable. Who are the 'we'? What signs?Originally posted by breytonhartge:I actually quoted the verses to encourage Christians to be watchful, the things that are going on around the world are a good indication of what is to come... and I am encouraging all Christians to judge themselves and to remain forever at the ready... Christ can return at any time.
also we ask for signs that God is true and real and that the bible speaks the truth, but when they are given many do not believe, therefore this world will also be given the sign of Jonah... if you understand, you understand, if not, gain understanding and wisdom...
Again i'm feeling uncomfortable. Who are the 'we'? What signs?
Are you sure that what you're saying represents the majority of the same faith as you?
Signs as in Disasters and plagues and diseases?
What are the signs Christians asked for to prove God is real? - Tsunami/hurricane/Bird Flu/Mad Cow etc?
Please be specific in your refute....
Then it'll question of the origin of these 'signs'
These are the signs of end times - the coming of Christ and for Christians to be ready.
You're telling me that these 'signs' are from God? I doubt, but what i may have interpreted might have been this.
Signs of Jonah?
Again i ask, what are the signs which may deem to strengthen the church of God?
What are the sign's of repentance and remorse from sinners you know of which were widely spread to a state. - Large scale activity of the church or on repentance.
These are the 'times of tribulation'...for your information, it started ages ago.
I have not misquoted... they were intentional.
From a perspective - to scriptural whipping.
i understand your intention, however STILL not in the right context of the topic. You might have to sheer in very careful directions in your defense from here.
We as Christians should never be comfortable... if you are, you are lukewarm... and you know what God will do. We are always to be at the ready... so many of us play Church and never stand up for what counts, we go about our lives without the sense of urgency that Jesus is coming again and that the end times are near... God has called us to do one thing and one thing alone, to make known the Good news. It is our mandate and our life... God and Jesus is our mandate and our life.
Would you like to give an account of your deeds for God here?
I believe that the church have to set things right before they can influence the world. Churches are sleeping and in slum.
I think you're seeing things at Macro value.
'God has called Christians to do one thing and one thing alone' - I might have to differ slightly. Of cos i understand where you're coming from, however there is the Great Commandment and the Great Commission.
Your chose to look at the Commmision. I chose to lean more onto the Commandment.
The origin of created beings were not to 'make known the good news'
Well. If it works with you to live a better life. I respect that.
Are you sure that what you're saying represents the majority of the same faith as you?
Signs as in Disasters and plagues and diseases?
What are the signs Christians asked for to prove God is real? - Tsunami/hurricane/Bird Flu/Mad Cow etc?
Please be specific in your refute....
Then it'll question of the origin of these 'signs'
These are the signs of end times - the coming of Christ and for Christians to be ready.
You're telling me that these 'signs' are from God? I doubt, but what i may have interpreted might have been this.
Signs of Jonah?
Again i ask, what are the signs which may deem to strengthen the church of God?
What are the sign's of repentance and remorse from sinners you know of which were widely spread to a state. - Large scale activity of the church or on repentance.
These are the 'times of tribulation'...for your information, it started ages ago.
From a perspective - to scriptural whipping.
i understand your intention, however STILL not in the right context of the topic. You might have to sheer in very careful directions in your defense from here.
Would you like to give an account of your deeds for God here?
I believe that the church have to set things right before they can influence the world. Churches are sleeping and in slum.
I think you're seeing things at Macro value.
'God has called Christians to do one thing and one thing alone' - I might have to differ slightly. Of cos i understand where you're coming from, however there is the Great Commandment and the Great Commission.
Your chose to look at the Commmision. I chose to lean more onto the Commandment.
The origin of created beings were not to 'make known the good news'
Well. If it works with you to live a better life. I respect that. -
the teletubbies were said to be satanic by christian extremists.
it doesn't matter what religion you are in, as long as you're an extremist, you're as good as a crook. -
Originally posted by kopiosatu:the teletubbies were said to be satanic by christian extremists.
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I don't want to give an account of what I have done for God here... we are also commanded to keep the details of our giving, which will include the works we have done for God in secret.... otherwise you will get the praise of man and loose God's reward, which is more important to me...Originally posted by M©+square:Again i'm feeling uncomfortable. Who are the 'we'? What signs?
Are you sure that what you're saying represents the majority of the same faith as you?
Signs as in Disasters and plagues and diseases?
What are the signs Christians asked for to prove God is real? - Tsunami/hurricane/Bird Flu/Mad Cow etc?
Please be specific in your refute....
Then it'll question of the origin of these 'signs'
These are the signs of end times - the coming of Christ and for Christians to be ready.
You're telling me that these 'signs' are from God? I doubt, but what i may have interpreted might have been this.
Signs of Jonah?
Again i ask, what are the signs which may deem to strengthen the church of God?
What are the sign's of repentance and remorse from sinners you know of which were widely spread to a state. - Large scale activity of the church or on repentance.
These are the 'times of tribulation'...for your information, it started ages ago.
From a perspective - to scriptural whipping.
i understand your intention, however STILL not in the right context of the topic. You might have to sheer in very careful directions in your defense from here.
Would you like to give an account of your deeds for God here?
I believe that the church have to set things right before they can influence the world. Churches are sleeping and in slum.
I think you're seeing things at Macro value.
'God has called Christians to do one thing and one thing alone' - I might have to differ slightly. Of cos i understand where you're coming from, however there is the Great Commandment and the Great Commission.
Your chose to look at the Commmision. I chose to lean more onto the Commandment.
The origin of created beings were not to 'make known the good news'
Well. If it works with you to live a better life. I respect that.
The Great Commandment and the Great Commission are one and the same.. because even if you lean onto the Great Commandment, which is to Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and strength and to love your neighbour as yourself, you will fulfill the Great commission. That said, Jesus did not give us a choice... He said go... not maybe go or if you want to go... He said Go and make disciples of all the nations...baptising them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit...
I know the tribulation started years ago, but the intensity of this tribulation has increased exponentially over the last couple of years. More than ever before, there are natural disasters, the earthquakes in turkey and taiwan, the Tsunami in indonesia, etc...
When I say we, I refer the the masses who do not believe... non-christians always ask for a sign... God is giving us a sign... we as Christians should be more aware of these things and not just discount them as natural occurances.. who created the earth? Who controls the weather? God does. He will use all things to accomplish His will, be it for favour or judgement.
Do you think that God changes? Just like in the old testament times, He detests sin. Do you think He would think any different today? Sin is sin and God cannot stand sin.
I am saying that as Christians we cannot just be idle... when I quoted those verses, I mean that we should be vigilant and always vigilant, don't let satan lull you into a false sense of security by thinking that we don't know when Jesus is coming again, we have to live each day as though Jesus would be coming back and soon...
According to the Jewish calendar, it is the year 5766, that is we are now in the 6th millenium, and Jesus is supposed to come back in the seventh millenium... so if the Jewish calendar is correct, we have another 234 years to go at most... if it is wrong... then we have less time than that! -
I respect your approach. I am too young to think of this now. What I say to dumbdumb is what I think I may be doing....Originally posted by Chin Eng:Mabuhay.... I am in the Philippines this week......
The problem really is there are Christians who'd condemned Lord of the Rings as satanic..... I know some of these folks personally. The argument can be: Tolkien may be a catholic, Peter Jackson sure is not....
I agree with dumbdumb... and as a father, my family would go watch a movie for the sake of watching a movie and not attempt to spiritualise the message. On the same note, I'd not attempt to demonise the message either.
Thank you. -
The fact that yes, they have been with us since the beginning, but the intensity has increased... no, you don't spiritualise or demonize a movie, but you surely monitor the content of what they watch right? I know I do that with my nieces... like the bible says, everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial.Originally posted by Chin Eng:Mabuhay.... I am in the Philippines this week......
The problem really is there are Christians who'd condemned Lord of the Rings as satanic..... I know some of these folks personally. The argument can be: Tolkien may be a catholic, Peter Jackson sure is not....
I agree with dumbdumb... and as a father, my family would go watch a movie for the sake of watching a movie and not attempt to spiritualise the message. On the same note, I'd not attempt to demonise the message either.
I find Christianity loosing its credibility because of the various urban legend type stories being circulated. In many of such instances, they were all proven to be false.
Sure we can look at the wars and the earthquakes and the fires and attempt to draw parallel from the Bible. Hey, what's new.... wars, earthquakes and fires have been with us since the beginning of time and with the exception of war, most of the other events are geological in nature and can be or have been predicted.
It is not the case of a Christian, say myself, being sanitised to the events, but by circulating Christianized warning, what does that prove other that making ourselves sounding extremely snooty. -
Point I am trying to make is that there are too many claims about events happening and the attempt to link everything to the end times.Originally posted by breytonhartge:The fact that yes, they have been with us since the beginning, but the intensity has increased... no, you don't spiritualise or demonize a movie, but you surely monitor the content of what they watch right? I know I do that with my nieces... like the bible says, everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial.
EVERYTHING LEADS TO THE END TIMES - period.
By stating the obvious either make the writer an extreme zealot or a loon. By looking at reactions generated by such articles, one can conclude that such articles p-isses off lots of people, so what good does it do, especially in this faceless, nameless forum where atheist wants nothing but to have a go at us.
My issue about spiritualise/demonising a movie is NOT about teaching values or explaining the rights/wrongs in the content. I'd fully agree with you that nothing everything is beneficial, but to, say, look for satanism in Harry Potter where the entire writing is more comical and fictional that real sorcery is a sheer waste of time. On the same note, I have found that HP books contain lots of Christian imagery, but that's another story altogether.
Don't get me wrong, like always, I have no bone to pick with you. Just that I've seen/read too many of such claims and I don't see such articles helping in any way. -
Some conspiracy theorist says that Katrina and Rita are results of U.S. Scalar Technology. i.e. Weapons that can create or increase the "strength" of natural disasters and weather.
I will subscribe more to this theory because we have it in singapore too, on a smaller scale: Rainless National Days as a result of Rain Seeding.