Act of God - Part 6

Pestilence & Pandemic

Almost everyone today suffers from some kind of illness – either physical, or mental. Despite centuries of medical advances, and amazing new technologies, it seems that more people are ill today than at any other time in history.

People who reject God often use the example of children dying, to accuse God of cruelty and indifference. Among the many accusations made are those by high profile celebrities such as the British actor and comedian – Stephen Fry who – when asked what he would ask God if he got the chance – replied - “Children dying of cancer – what's all that about?” That is a sentiment strongly asserted by many – usually Atheists. Is God responsible for diseases such as Cancer? The following facts may surprise many people.

Cancer researchers have found that, although the actual disease of Cancer has been with humanity for thousands of years, in the ancient past it was rare – almost unheard of. Cancer is – in the words of one British Cancer charity - “A very modern disease.” I myself can testify to this fact. When I was young, many years ago, cancer was almost unheard of. If someone in our community had Cancer, it was noticeable and alarming. Today, the opposite is true, at least in the developed world. Almost everyone knows someone who has, or has had Cancer.

The same can be said of other diseases – such a Heart Disease and Alzheimer's. In fact, of the 10 most common causes of death in the world today, 9 of them are classed as “Non-communicable” or “Preventable” - why? Because all the evidence shows that these medical conditions are inseparably connected to lifestyle choices and man-made causes.

Most forms of Cancer are preventable, and affected by our choices in life. Lung cancer is often caused by cigarette smoking, pollution, or the inhalation of industrial dust or chemicals. Regarding diseases such as lung cancer, and drug addiction, it is interesting to note the difference in attitudes of citizens toward their governments - and God. Where governments give warnings about health hazards from things like cigarettes and drugs, but don't actually ban them, this is usually considered fair – respecting people's rights to choose. Normally people do not blame their governments when they develop lung cancer, from smoking or industrial chemicals, or mental health problems associated with drug use. Yet, the same people do hold God responsible for allowing that suffering. Does that not seem a little inconsistent, and even hypocritical?

Stomach, kidney and colon cancers are known to be caused by poor diet, and lack of exercise. Cervical cancer is mainly caused by sexual promiscuity (casual sex with multiple partners) in younger years. The biggest global killer – Heart Disease is caused by multiple factors – including poor diet, undue stress, lack of exercise - most of them under our control. Sexually transmitted disease are more prevalent than ever before, and are increasingly dangerous. Accidents are almost always caused by human error, or human arrogance. Malnutrition, and diarrhearal diseases – mainly in the poorer countries – are caused mainly by mankind's misuse of the earth, and the greedy hoarding of wealth, while the rich use the poor for their own profit. Man's wars cause untold starvation, deprivation, disease and displacement.

In today's chaotic, consumer driven world, we now have many more new diseases – unheard of in mankind's history - HIV, Bird Flu, COVID, CJD, Monkey Pox, Ebola - to name just a few.

So all of the evidence strongly indicates that – the major causes of death – including cancer – are not caused by God, but by irresponsible, or selfish humans and their modern systems and lifestyles. Furthermore, not only is God not responsible for these sad outcomes, but He actually warns against the behaviour that leads to them. For example – the Bible warns against “gluttony” - an ugly word in society these days, but an honest assessment of overindulgence that leads to chronic health problems. In fact, the Bible pulls no punches in it's efforts to warn people of the dangers of overindulgence. Regarding excessive eating, the Bible warns against “gorging on meat”, and it bluntly states -“Put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony” - Proverbs 23.2. The Bible also warns against using addictive substances, abusing alcohol, taking unnecessary risks, and getting into arguments and fights. All these things cause illness and suffering. How can we hold God responsible for the things we choose to do to ourselves, especially when the Bible gives sound advice for living a healthy and happy life?

The Bible also warns against sexual promiscuity, and encourages fidelity and loyalty to one's married partner. In fact, in poetic language the Bible describes some of the consequences of casual sex and STDs, when it states that such things can “cleave open the liver.” Amazingly, the Bible is correct on this because, in the advanced stages of Syphilis, the liver becomes poisoned.

Many diseases in the past, and even today could be avoided, or controlled, if people were to follow the Bible's directions of cleanliness, and quarantine. Even as recently as the nineteenth century, had medical staff followed the hygiene regulations in the Bible, thousands of lives might have been saved.

On mental health – a global problem – particularly in the west – once again we find that man's chaotic systems and attitudes play a major part in Depression and other mental illnesses. In contrast - the Bible teaches us to be calm - “A calm heart is the life of a person,” not to strive after riches and possessions, and most of all, to show unselfish love. Mental health experts have discovered that such an attitude is of great benefit to our mental state. Scientists have learned that lack of love is a major factor in many mental ills and other problems. The British medical journal Lancet once noted: “By far the most significant discovery of mental science is the power of love to protect and to restore the mind.” Similarly, a noted stress specialist, Dr. Hans Selye, said: “It is not the hated person or the frustrating boss who will get ulcers, hypertensions, and heart disease. It is the one who hates or the one who permits himself to be frustrated. ‘Love thy neighbor’ is one of the sagest bits of medical advice ever given.”

There is a significant statement in the Bible which clearly demonstrates God's desire to prevent unnecessary suffering in life. The Bible tells us that God's laws and principles are there to “Benefit yourselves.” Yet, many modern thinking people consider the Bible's position on most matters as restrictive, antiquated, and oppressive. What does the evidence, already mentioned, show? Furthermore, what are the benefits of following God's ways – aside from a clean conscience and good healthy relationships? In the book of Psalms 90.10, it reads - “In themselves the days of our years are seventy years; and if because of special mightiness they are eighty years.” Those words were written by Moses. Why is that significant? - because historical data shows that the average life-span of people in ancient times was approximately 32 years. This included Egypt – the nation that Moses grew up in and helped Israel escape from. So why did Moses write that the average lifespan for people was between 70 and 80 – like today? Because the nation of Israel benefited enormously from the laws given to them by God, laws that protected their health, their economy, their anxiety levels, their diets, and their relationships. As the Bible states - “My ways are higher than your ways, and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” In fact, one of the most important scriptures Israelites would have learned in their youth was - “Trust in Jehovah with all your heart.” On God's wisdom, contained in the scriptures, it says - “Length of days is in its right hand; in its left hand there are riches and glory. Its ways are ways of pleasantness, and all its roadways are peace. It is a tree of life to those taking hold of it, and those keeping fast hold of it are to be called happy.” Those words proved to be very true for that nation under God's laws.

All these things prove the Bible true, when it points to the real cause of human suffering. The Bible states that “It is the foolishness of earthling man that distorts his way, and then his heart becomes enraged against Jehovah (God) himself.” Why do humans cause so much self-inflicted harm to themselves and others? Because – as the Bible clearly identifies - “They proceed according to their desires.” People – especially wealthy, successful, independent people – do not want to be told how to live their lives – even by God. Most people know it is dangerous to smoke, or exceed speed limits, or eat too much junk food, or take drugs, but they do it anyway – for the thrill, the buzz, the vibe or the satisfaction. But, according to God's laws of physics – discovered by Newton – Every action has a reaction, and every event has a cause. The same is true of God's moral and health laws. The Bible warns – “What a man is sowing, he will reap.” This world sows indulgence, selfishness, recklessness, and ignorance. So, it reaps devastation from illness, accidents and other tragic outcomes. Once again, God pleads with mankind to listen to his ways, and promised that, if we do, “Your path would become just like a river” - namely smooth, peaceful, flowing naturally, and that “In order that your days may prove long.” In fact, if we were able to remove all man-made causes of death, including unforeseen accidents, almost all deaths would be peaceful, when people are very elderly, when they simply close their eyes and expire. The Bible says that “The wages sin pays is death” - not suffering.

Now, with all of these facts in mind, let us consider the justice system laid down by God, for the ancient nation of Israel, which had sworn to uphold the law, and was fully aware of the punishments for failing to do so.