Another act of sickening horror. It seems like every six months or so, many of us are shaken to our cores as yet another crazed lunatic carries out an act of utter depravity.
The 2012 massacre in Connecticut (20 children and six adults shot to death at an elementary school) was all over TV, radio, newspapers and social media. We couldn’t escape it, even if we wanted to.
Indeed, one blogger, struggling to deal with the tsunami of emotions brought on by this slaughter, went so far as to ask “Is this what the end of the world feels like?”
Such questions were asked beyond U.S. borders, since mass shootings happen even in countries not known for violence. People in Norway are still haunted by the indiscriminate killing of more than 70 people in July 2011. And Canadians haven’t forgotten the 1989 murder of 14 women at a college in Montreal.
With each of these events, every news report brings with it the nagging question asked by everyone from angry atheists and normally indifferent agnostics to serious people of faith: where was God??
I would be a sheer idiot to attempt to provide an easy answer because it doesn’t exist.
But as a follower of Jesus of Nazareth (who many people believe is the divine Son of God), I feel confident in writing two things:
1. Every deadly attack is just one more piece of proof that God’s gift of freewill is permanent and rock solid.
When humans betray each other, we often get angry and withdraw our trust or love or commitment. Connecticut, Montreal and Norway are glow-in-the-dark proof that God is different. No matter what we do (or don’t do) to spit on the gift of freewill, God simply WILL NOT take it back.
Indeed, an ancient prophet states it this plainly: “I [God] don’t think the way you think. The way you work isn’t the way I work.” And as we all struggle with the deaths in Connecticut, I’m profoundly grateful for this truth.
2. God was ALL OVER this event.
For example, church pastors across North America dropped their planned sermons and turned all their skills and time to addressing the massacre, even if it was only to ask the same questions and pray for the families of the victims. That may not sound like much, but it can still bring comfort to suffering people.
In addition, faith organizations like the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association sent crisis-trained chaplains to Connecticut to help survivors, emergency responders and others deal with their emotional agony. As a serious Jesus follower, I see these amazing people as the hands and feet of Jesus, in action where and when it matters most.
So what do you think….do these two points make any sense? Do you believe in God any more or less as a result of tragedies in Connecticut, Montreal, Norway and so many other places? Post your thoughts below and let’s have a conversation.
Frank's Cottage 
You are right, God gives us all a free will to choose our own path in life. Although He still knows our every move, its up to us to make our own decisions
I agree, I am a Christian and I am sure that God is all over this situation. There is no answer that anyone can offer to explain this tragedy. I for one feel that no matter what anyone believes, you have to have a heart for the children that were lost in this incident.
No one will be able to explain why this happened but I know that its going to take a lot of prayer to help us deal with this tragedy.
Yes, makes perfect sense. I would add that God is still good and still loving AND He was NOT the “author” of these attacks. It was man and his free will like you said.
These are well thought and considerate words. Thank you for them.
I think your views make perfect sense and it is the truth…simply the truth…God gave us all free will…and some of us exercise that gift in ways that are devastating. This is a nice blog, it just makes sense.
Great words Frank. I say a hearty AMEN!
Thanks for taking the time to offer these words of wisdom. As already mentioned, free will is both a blessing and a curse. It is up to each individual to decide how they will behave. And whether or not they will believe the Scriptures.
As the apostle Paul declared, “God… is Lord of heaven and earth…that they should seek the Lord, if happily they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us”.
Thinking back to 9-11, I recall hearing numerous testimonies of how God kept people away from work that day or, worked miraculously to help those who were on site. I trust that the Lord is also on the job in Connecticut. Come quickly, Lord Jesus!
What a wonderful and insightful post, Frank. I will be so delighted when our King makes His grand reappearance and takes away the evils of this world. Until then, may we all be comforted in the knowledge that He does have His hand in EVERYTHING. God bless you
P.S. I will be sharing your post on my personal Facebook page, as well as Google+ and my Facebook fan page, It’s Yummilicious
Please note if you are speaking about the women who were murdered at poly technique in Montreal. It was 14 women not nine.
Thanks for the correction, Liz. I’ve updated the essay with the right number.
Of course, if something good happens, it’s god’s grace. If something terrible happens, it’s free will.
I believe that God’s love is life affirming. Throughout our history man has perpetrated acts of violence against his fellow man. Innocents have died in every age, victims of singular acts and in wars waged often in His name.
I believe God weeps when His ultimate creation chooses to murder and kill each other. God is love. God is compassion. It is up to us who believe that with all of our hearts to proclaim that message in His name. As the sad facts emerge, we will be tested over and over not to harden our hearts to this message.
Amen!
I would say that if there is a God I don’t think we should assume that He/She/It is benevolent – there are plenty of examples of God’s own Bloodlust in the Bible. Let us mourn the fact that we were created in His/Her/Its image. There must be better role models than God.
There is no god, men are evolved animals and when we die our light goes out and that’s it. The concept of god is to enrich the clergy and justify our imperialism.
I don’t believe any more or any less, I simply believe. The challenge is to find Joy so as not to become focused to an inappropriate extent on the darkness and then become swallowed up by it, but to acknowledge it’s existence then find a way to be a light in this dark world.
Another important point is that events like this continue to reveal the depth of evil in heart of man. How can people deny the fact of sin?
Annalists will be looking for reasons that this young man did this, but the ultimate reason is that we are all born in sin and need a Savior. The seeds of this evil are in all of us. We may not act it out, but we all have a depraved heart apart from being reborn in the Spirit.
God is still with us, the last two generations just have not been given any information in the schools about Him. they don’t know God, discipline, morals, respect and here are our results. put Christian teachings back in the schools, put discipline in, moral teachings, make them show respect for teachers, parents and the law. maybe tomorrow’s 20-year-olds will know right from wrong.
And if American doesnt tighten up its gun laws, people will just keep killing each other off. To all who can still smile on this day, I say Merry Christmas and may the birth of the Christ child be help you get through from day to day.
I know there is a God,and this was the devil’s work.The one consolation is we do know these children are in our sweet Lord’s arms and my prayer is that the adult teachers had known the Master and they are there also. May the Lord comfort those left behind.
The person who killed is sick of mind. God had nothing to do with it. She or he doesn’t give us free will. We make that decision for ourselves, unless of course we are mentally ill.
Honestly, your view that freewill had any role is offensive. How does a mentally person have free will when they are mentally incapacitated? Ponder that before you make such outrageous statements about free will in relation to this tragic event.
Some people such as yourself, just don’t know when to keep quiet!
Hi Frank, thanks for your great insight and for sharing so openly about how you see God being active in all of this. I know some people who feel God is silent, and he can very well be silent….but as a Christian we know that his ways are not our ways and we need to rely on our faith in these darker moments to get us through.
I also appreciate you referencing my blog, and just had a small request. Would you be able to link to my blog in your post above so that people may read the full extent of my comments? I would prefer that the stark question I asked is held in context of the whole blog post. Here’s the direct link: http://quillandcurio.wordpress.com/2012/12/15/is-this-what-the-end-of-the-world-feels-like/
Many thanks!
Roshan Grossman
I believe that there is the light and the dark, some choose to call this good and evil or even God and the Devil. Each of us has both of these qualities within us, it’s all a matter of freewill to choose which one you will follow in life.
I personally do not agree with religion, do to the simple fact that all of us will find different ways of discovering the light. To me, to be a man of the light I follow moral guide lines in my life such as honour, loyalty, honesty, respect, kindness and compassion by following these virtuous beliefs I truly believe we can all become children of the light.
Am I not holy because I do not attend a church? If so, why do I feel so complete and at peace within my soul? I am fully aware that the dark tempts and deceives us all, it tests our virtuous convictions. It’s all a choice. May the light shine upon us all, and especially those who have been directly effected by this horrible tragedy.
I love God as well but I can’t understand why this has to happen. I can hardly breath when I think of the heart breaking pain these people must be going through.
These children ARE with GOD now, but the parents have to deal with this. I can’t imagine how hard this could be. Don’t forget there is a very real ENEMY out there who likes nothing better than to cause grief and suffering; the hardest thing to do in times like these is to turn to God. but we must!!! Read the book called THE SHACK.
Feel free to believe in your imaginary sky god.
This is even more proof he doesn’t exist.
Then again you idiots who believe will spew the crap that these children were called to heaven as it was god’s will.
Yeah, your made up omnipotent god who can be everywhere at once and do everything needs the help from the spirits of the dead.
Keep drinking the kool aid.
Bert, I almost guarantee you that if you are in need or something [bad] happens, the very first words out off your big, loose mouth are OH MY GOD.
@Kevin: Maybe, but it would be a reflexive comment born out of habit. Nothing more, and proves nothing.
While I don’t believe in any god, do you honestly think your hostility is appropriately shared today? People are struggling. Taking away the iconic figures that get them through these tough times won’t help matters. You might want to see a therapist for your anger issues.
Seems to me anger that this happened is a more appropriate response than telling people they deserved it, because it is God’s plan. I would call this viewpoint the one that needs therapy.
Your points do make sense. It’s true. In every instance of unspeakable tragedy, there are courageous people with loving hearts who put their own safety and concerns aside to race the aid of people who need them. It’s a beautiful bit of proof that goodness resides in our hearts, our spirits and our world.
Bert, do you believe that there are dark forces within our societies?
Please forward this article to Mike Huckabee, he believes otherwise.
Perfect points that make perfect sense. In Canada and U.S., there are people trying to take God out of our schools. When tragedies happen, all of a sudden the same people point their fingers and ask where God is in all of this.
God is here, He knows our sorrows and pain. As stated in this article, God also gave us free will, and if people do not want Him in their lives, then He will not force His way in.
I agree, in His infinite wisdom – even foreknowing the disastrous consequences of our own choices – He chose to give us free will … what a struggle that had to have been, being that He is omniscient. So much easier if He’d made us His puppets … but then our decisions whether to choose Him as our Lord & Saviour would be rendered meaningless as non-volitional compelled forced slavery. Not God’s nature to force the will or hand of His own creation.
Rather, in His divine wisdom, He allowed us the freedom to make our own choices here on earth, which began with Adam & Eve: “sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all men sinned”. Romans 5:12. But knowing what God knew, He has had our provision planned all along, His Son the Saviour.
I have wrestled with why Satan was allowed here on earth in the first place, but even when I’m so bold to question Anything of God’s design, I know instinctively that the knowledge of good is only demonstrated to my human mind when I am subjected to such horrific evil as we’ve just witnessed as a country. God warned us, following that “war [which] arose in heaven [with] Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon”, when Satan was cast down to earth: “But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows his time is short”. Rev. 12:7-12.
But praise God, this time of evil is short in the big picture, for our hope and promise as believers is in God’s redemption of us from this fallen world, and on That day, after Satan is defeated & cast into the lake of fire, God tells us: “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away”.
We have the choice to make while we’re here in the midst of such great evil. But this evil world is passing away & I pray fervently for those who don’t yet know Jesus as their Saviour. For our hope in Him is secure, no matter what atrocities Satan commits here. And, in my utter grief and despair over this unspeakable tragedy, I take comfort in knowing I will have the privilege of meeting these sweet innocent ones and looking upon their faces on That Day, and my heart will resound with the joyous realization of God, “oh, Death, where is thy sting?”.
My heartfelt prayers are with these families. My heart is truly broken. Please know that God is moved to tears with us, by these choices of free will committed upon our precious children. One of my favorite Scriptures demonstrating God’s compassion upon us is “Jesus wept”.
Well said Belinda. We live in a fallen world, and this life is our temporary home. If we do indeed accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we shall live with him forever.
The very flagitiousness of these events have left me almost without words. I spent Thursday night weeping until my eyes were swollen and red. The ache in my heart is not only for the lost potential of the people, especially children, but also for the extreme, needless pain being lived by family and friends.
Unfortunately I am moved to say that in this case, I genuinely feel insult added to injury by the useless equivocation coming from the so called believers. I’m sorry to carry the message my friends; this is not about God!
Thanks for reading and commenting, Michael. I think we’re gonna agree to disagree on this one. 🙂
God is exactly where America has put Him, outside of our schools, our laws, our minds, and souls. God is a gentlemen and He will not go where He has not been invited.
If America continues to exercise her free will to only further push God away, then many more tragedies will likely happen. Therefore, as Christians it is our obligation to continue following His word and using our free will as Jesus’ hands & feet in the times of uncertainty.
Let us ban together and pray that God perform a radical work through us. God bless everyone.
Then explain why in countries like Japan, Sweden, England, France etc. where god is even further from their minds and their laws, that there are less murders and violence? They are much more atheistic and have much safer cultures. So your reasoning and argument goes out the door. The real and most likely answer is that there is no god.
“Thinking back to 9-11, I recall hearing numerous testimonies of how God kept people away from work that day…”
How do you explain the 3,000 dead then? God didn’t care enough to keep them away. What a ridiculous (and, frankly, insulting to the dead) statement.
I think if you insist on hiding behind “God works in mysterious ways” there’s no conversation to be had.
I am a Muslim and I totally agree that God is everywhere and He has given us the power of free will. Whatever happened in Connecticut is because of a man’s free will.
I also agree with someone stating above that atheists and many others who don’t believe in God always blame Him when some tragedy happens. This is a temporary world. These kids and the brave people who did their best for saving them will be rewarded in the Hereafter.
We can’t blame something for which we do not believe is there. There is no god, thus god is not responsible for this terrible tragedy. What we argue is that believers say god answers prayers and saves lives all the time, so if there is a god, like you claim, and he can intervene like you claim, then why didn’t he intervene in CT? According to you all god is omnipotent and omniscient, thus he knew, and did nothing to stop it. But then again, there really is no god.
Excellent points. God is saddened by the choice the shooter made and grieving along with the rest of us. I pray for His peace to everyone.
Wonderful points! It is so easy sometimes to blame God when tragedy strikes. I had a miscarriage this week, and I am sorry to say that it was one of the first things I did because I was angry. However, God does not want things like this to happen.
We need to find ways to support one another through tragedies like Connecticut and try to do things to promote humanity and love.
Thanks for reading and for commenting, Shane. Yes, I have posted a link to this essay on many sites. To “promote” this website? No way. To maybe help some folks deal with the insanity of what happened in Connecticut? Absolutely.
You’re certainly welcome to your opinion, Shane. I slept very well last night and will again tonight. I hope we all do. 🙂
Thank-you for sharing this post with me. I honestly appreciate it. And as for Shane’s comment, I don’t see this as an attempt to further your blog. I see it as an attempt to spread comfort in the midst of severe tragedy and pain. Thank-you for that and may God bless you.
Thanks for reading, and thanks for your kind comment. I appreciate it.
you’re more than welcome : )
Thank you for this, Frank, and for your comment on my blog on this topic. I gave my attempt at answering the question “where is God” and “why does He allow tragedy and suffering” back in September. You can read it here if interested: http://jasonbwatson.com/2012/09/27/why-does-god-allow-tragedy-and-suffering/
Dear Frank, God has blessed with you with the ability to put what was in my heart into words. Every time I tried to write or say something I went blank. Thank you for taking the trouble to write it out and share it. Ignore the voices of hate. Love is much, much more powerful than hate. I will pray for poor Shane. What dreadful pain he must be in to be so full of vitriol. I pray he finds unconditional love.
Thanks for reading and thanks for your kind comment. It means a lot to me as we all try to make sense of the Connecticut tragedy.
Wouldn’t surpise me if he did it in the name of the lord. Muslims today behave like Christians of yesteryear during the crusades. The only difference is the weapons and technology are more effective today. But the real reason why he did it? Becasue he can. People do things because they can. Mixing in the bible, and religion to ANYTHING has – and always will cause pain, suffering, murder, death, and war. Where is God? God doesn’t get involved in these things. The recent history of tragedy and God always has the same answer. God is not interested in intervening. God lets things play out. There are no good reasons for this tragedy, so trying to find reasons is irrelevant.
John,
It is just a fraction of so-called Muslims which go on terrorizing and killing people. Please don’t generalize the acts of some people as the behavior of all the Muslims.
Thank you
This is my first time to read a blog, ever. Only recently learned what a blog is. Without a tv or other access to news, I had to look for news on the Internet – trying to figure out what happened here – & then saw a link to this page, thinking it a place for believers to share in trying to process this unspeakable tragedy.
But why the anger directed at Frank or other believers for trying to verbalize our way through this pain and our utter grief over it?
I’ve reread the comments, confused & disturbed by the more vehemently angry ones – and NO one is suggesting this is “God’s” doing or His plan, NO. And Absolutely No one is saying these victims “deserved” this, a million times NO.
A tragedy of this magnitude drives all of us to search for answers, solutions and comfort or some measure of peace in dealing with this horror. While silence is all we have in the face of this horror, initially – the news of it was so devastating it brought me to my knees in tears – yet silence for too long as we all suffer the unbearable pain of this loss, is neither healthy nor honoring of these victims who were slain. We must come together to find answers and solutions to heal our broken nation, not tear each other apart, as this has already torn apart our hearts.
You’ve done a wonderful job in clarifying and clearing away confusion about what’s been said (and NOT said) in all these comments. Thank you!
“Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able?
Then he is not omnipotent.
Is he able, but not willing?
Then he is malevolent.
Is he both able and willing?
Then whence cometh evil?
Is he neither able nor willing?
Then why call him God?”
God’s desire was that we never know evil. In the beginning, “the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “You shall surely eat of every tree of the garden; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall Not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”. Genesis 2:16-17.
The choice was not made by God; and not only by Adam or Eve; it’s been made by each and every one of us.
“Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear….
The Lord saw it, and it displeased Him that there was no justice. He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no one to intercede; then His own arm brought him salvation, and His righteousness upheld Him. He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on His head; He put on garments of vengeance for clothing and wrapped Himself in zeal as a cloak. According to their deeds, so will He repay, wrath to His adversaries, repayment to His enemies; to the coastlands He will render repayment. So they shall fear the name of the Lord from the west, and His glory from the rising of the sun; for He will come like a rushing stream, which the wind of the Lord drives. And a Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who turn from transgression,” declares the Lord.”
Isaiah 59:1-20
Rather than look at this as free will I think it better points out the bondage of the will. Sinful fallen man is in bondage to sin and cannot escape it. The only remedy is a new heart. And God will receive any who will come to Him. Jesus Christ the Son of God died on the cross as the perfect sacrifice to take the punishment for the sins of any sinners who will put their trust in Him…even the fellow responsible for this tragedy.
Yes, I know there are good Muslims, and it’s the extreme Muslims whom I am referring too, just like the extreme Christians during the Crusades. If only people would care about the masses like the individual, our history might be less bloody.
watched this and it really made me think about “free will” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCofmZlC72g
Thank you Frank for your thoughts. It is always a joy to read your articles.
I have been thinking about King Herod’s order to slaughter all the baby boys two years and younger, when the wisemen did not tell him where to find Jesus. What a massacre! What grief for the families! What shared grief for Mary and Joseph! He chose to execute the plans prompted by Satan, who delights in destruction of the innocent.
Maybe God allows these shootings to happen to teach us that guns are not the answer?
There’s nothing wrong with believing something that makes you feel better. And there’s nothing wrong with not believing, or believing something different. It’s a belief, it’s not about beign right or wrong. If the different sides would stop trying to convince each other that they held the ‘right’ belief, there would be a lot less killing and almost no wars.