Earthquakes, floods, tsunamis, and hurricanes have plagued the earth throughout history. What is God's role in natural disasters and the human suffering they cause? This is the vexing perennial question that OT scholar Terence Fretheim seeks to answer in Creation Untamed. When destruction occurs due to "forces of nature," is the hand of God visiting judgment on a particularly sinful people, or has God simply left humanity to fend for itself?
Fretheim argues that the Bible often speaks of natural disasters, but its insights have been insufficiently explored. To fill this gap Fretheim offers fresh reading of Old Testament passages that contain stories of disaster such as, the flood, Sodom and Gomorrah, the plagues of Egypt, the suffering of Job, and other passages.
He presents an understanding of creation as good, but not perfect; examines the human experience of suffering; and explores the role of humans in the creative process. Fretheim shows the God of the Bible to be a compassionate, suffering, relational God, one we can turn to in prayer in times of disaster.
Rich in biblical insight, theological nuance, and pastoral wisdom, this accessibly written volume will benefit anyone thinking about the God of the Bible in relation to human suffering. It will appeal to students in courses on Bible, theology, or pastoral care as well as to pastors and thoughtful lay readers.
