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Greetings!Rev. Scott Jones has been an American Baptist minister since 1997. He was born in Des Moines, Iowa, growing up in Iowa and South Dakota. He received his Bachelor of Arts in vocal music at Iowa State University in 1994 and earned a Masters in Divinity from Northern Seminary in 1997. He was ordained in 1997 in the Mid-America Baptist Churches (Iowa and Minnesota). Scott is the 21st minister of the First Baptist Church of Greensburg.
Scott first responded to Jesus in faith as a young child and was baptized at age 13. He has been blessed throughout his life with wonderful role models in his parents, ABY youth group, and ABC summer camp, where he was invited to say “yes” to the Lord’s call on his life. His ministry is about worship, preaching, teaching, evangelism, and relationships. He uses his musical background to lead people into the presence of God. He is involved in our Region as instructor of New Testament with the Academy of Christian Training and Service (ACTS), our lay-pastor training institute. He also sings with the Irwin Male Chorus. |
Pastor's Newsletter
We’re continuing to wrestle with the problem of evil, which comes knocking at the door of all people when they face painful trials. This time, I’d like to address the evil things that happen independently of human free will, and therefore seem undeserved. How can we understand the origins of things like hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, floods, and so on? These events cause massive suffering and death; they leave us aghast when we see images of the devastation on the news and hear the death toll. To us, a great number of these people seem innocent enough; why must they suffer? It’s far more agonizing when these tragedies befall people we love.
Before we venture too far, it’s important that we accept that some of these things will remain mysteries to us until we are united with the Lord, once we are changed in that twinkling of an eye we read about in the Bible and can see these things from heaven’s perspective. Until then, humility and patience are the best options for us. We instinctively get offended when people go around acting like they know exactly why an evil event has occurred. I remember years ago, when Pat Robertson confidently told his audience that a severe hurricane in Haiti was God’s punishment for their widespread occultism. I remember saying to my wife, “Who does this man think he is? Did God send a memorandum just to him?” We all have an instinct for awed silence, prayer, and acts of compassion when these things occur. We should follow that instinct. With that said, let’s account for possible ways to account for occurrences of natural evil that take place in the world. I have to emphasize: these are working proposals for gaining a little perspective on these events. They must remain that way, because as I said, God does not fill us in on the deeper reason for every hardship that occurs.
Let’s start with a theological truth that is hard to fully comprehend: there is a deep connection between creation, and the human beings who were designed to be pinnacle of that creation. Genesis tells us that humans were made last of all, to be the ruling stewards of all the earth. We were placed here to tend, cultivate, order and improve the resources of this world to the glory of God. The connection isn’t just physical, however: there is a spiritual tie between us and creation. Paul teaches, in Romans 8:19-21,
For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
To a degree we don’t fully comprehend, the rebellion of humans against God also warped creation in some way. Because of our free choice, the very ground was cursed, so that it could not be cultivated without great toil and frustration. The natural forces at play throughout the world were also rendered wild and unpredictable. While nature does some things very well, it becomes obvious to us that other things appear to be seriously out of joint. That’s because creation has been subjected to frustration--to a degree of disorder. The flood unleashed on the earth at the time of Noah must have caused global upheavals that last to this day. Certainly that’s related to human sin. And just as certain, the terrible waste and pollution that humans inflict on the planet cause ecological changes that only upset the balance further--say, when we overfish a species to near-extinction, or choke bodies of water with plastic. Those are just a couple of obvious ways our sin contributes to natural upheaval in ways that jeopardize our own lives.
It’s also true that physical suffering and mortality can be worsened by our own free choice. When we choose to abuse our bodies through substances and poor diet, we may bring sickness on ourselves. Alcohol and drugs can also break up families and doom children to poverty. Our sinful wars magnify these things many times over. War brings poverty, starvation and disease. We see video footage of emaciated children, and we’re moved to compassion. As well we should be; but it’s not just drought and famine that explains their suffering. In many cases, human warlords are intentionally blocking resources from coming to these innocent children, to starve them out. When aid is sent, they sometimes seize the supplies meant to give them a fighting chance. The judgment they will face at God’s throne will be awful.
The seemingly innocent choices we make can also put us in harm’s way. For instance, it’s very popular for people to build, and rebuild, homes close to fault lines, on flood planes, on hurricane-prone coastlines, fire-prone, wooded areas, and yes, in “tornado alley.” Our own settlement patterns do place us right in the path of some of the most threatening weather and geologic events. We do this partially because some of those natural forces that can pose a threat also have beneficial effects that contribute to human life and flourishing. The same thunderstorm that can produce a tornado that will range freely over the flat plains also brings the nourishing rains that make fertile the “breadbasket” of our nation. The coasts that are prone to hurricanes also give access to fish, fruit orchards, and maritime trade, as well as beauty and recreation. Those are just a couple of examples, but I hope you see the point: some of the natural forces that God has placed for our benefit also carry risks.
It might seem odd to think this way, but the natural upheaval that threatens us can also have spiritual benefits. The awesome forces of nature starkly remind us how small and vulnerable we are. We love to set up grand illusions that we have everything under our control, but one disaster will obliterate our self-deceptions and send us to our knees. We’re forcibly shown that we are completely dependent on God’s mercy and protection. Instead of pretending at self-sufficiency, we may be driven to pray. We thank the Lord for the blessings He’s sent, and humbly ask Him for today’s daily bread. When hardship strikes, God offers us the opportunity to learn to walk by faith, not by sight. We’re given a chance to learn and cling to the promises of His word, that He will cause all things to work out for our good, if only we’ll trust Him. When those we love are struck with hardship, we are moved to compassion and sacrificial giving. Do you see how even the worst events, which leave us humbled and baffled, can actually develop spiritual maturity? This is the effect of “soul-making” which the Irenaeus, the early Church Father, noticed in connection with mysterious suffering. But, I love the simple way Paul expressed it in Romans 5:3-5 (NKJV)…
And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
But again, we cannot ignore the fact that we are mortal human beings, and many of the natural evils that come on us are bound up with our mortality. Unless Jesus comes again, all of us will die and return to dust. None of us is guaranteed a certain number of years before we pass; we’re not even assured of a tomorrow. Death comes at different times to different people, and natural disasters are just one mechanism by which that happens. Thankfully, however, that isn’t the final word. Remember what Paul wrote in Romans 8, that the creation is subjected to frustration because of its spiritual bond to humanity? The natural world has been warped, just as we have been warped through sin. But that passage is primarily hopeful! It says that creation is waiting for the revealing of the “sons of God,” at which time it, too, will be freed from its bondage to corruption.
This is the story the Bible tells: that which God has created good has been corrupted by sin. This is true of humans and the earth. But God has set in motion a plan to redeem both of them, through the victorious work of Christ on the cross. Those who turn from sin and trust in Jesus as their redeemer are set free from their bondage to sin, but also to death. Their mortal bodies will die and return to the dust, but God will raise those bodies and transform them to be eternal and incorruptible. A plan of redemption is also set for this world. The world we know has an appointment with destruction, a “fervent heat” which will burn up everything and lay the earth bare, according to 2 Peter 3:10. But the death of this mortal earth will herald its own kind of resurrection. It will be transformed and glorified--we will spend eternity on a new earth, inhabiting resurrection bodies, with the Lord forever. We must remember, God is the Creator of all things, including everything which has been warped by sin. But does that mean God’s work has been destroyed or ruined irretrievably? No! These things are the works of God’s hands, and He will not allow His work to be defeated by sin. They are His, and no one but Him has the right to determine their fate. He will reclaim, transform and glorify all the things He has made--He will be the Victor! And we will be blessed to be part of His victory.
Until then, we all know how hard it is to endure suffering--particularly that which does not seem to be our fault. We don’t know the reasons for it all now, but we WILL understand it when God’s great redemption plans are brought to their eternal fulfillment. So until then, trust in the Lord! Give Him your hurt, and let Him give you His strength. Give Him your need, and let Him give you His supply. He’ll heal your heart and reward your faith, if you but persevere.
Your Brother and Servant,
Pastor Scott.
Before we venture too far, it’s important that we accept that some of these things will remain mysteries to us until we are united with the Lord, once we are changed in that twinkling of an eye we read about in the Bible and can see these things from heaven’s perspective. Until then, humility and patience are the best options for us. We instinctively get offended when people go around acting like they know exactly why an evil event has occurred. I remember years ago, when Pat Robertson confidently told his audience that a severe hurricane in Haiti was God’s punishment for their widespread occultism. I remember saying to my wife, “Who does this man think he is? Did God send a memorandum just to him?” We all have an instinct for awed silence, prayer, and acts of compassion when these things occur. We should follow that instinct. With that said, let’s account for possible ways to account for occurrences of natural evil that take place in the world. I have to emphasize: these are working proposals for gaining a little perspective on these events. They must remain that way, because as I said, God does not fill us in on the deeper reason for every hardship that occurs.
Let’s start with a theological truth that is hard to fully comprehend: there is a deep connection between creation, and the human beings who were designed to be pinnacle of that creation. Genesis tells us that humans were made last of all, to be the ruling stewards of all the earth. We were placed here to tend, cultivate, order and improve the resources of this world to the glory of God. The connection isn’t just physical, however: there is a spiritual tie between us and creation. Paul teaches, in Romans 8:19-21,
For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
To a degree we don’t fully comprehend, the rebellion of humans against God also warped creation in some way. Because of our free choice, the very ground was cursed, so that it could not be cultivated without great toil and frustration. The natural forces at play throughout the world were also rendered wild and unpredictable. While nature does some things very well, it becomes obvious to us that other things appear to be seriously out of joint. That’s because creation has been subjected to frustration--to a degree of disorder. The flood unleashed on the earth at the time of Noah must have caused global upheavals that last to this day. Certainly that’s related to human sin. And just as certain, the terrible waste and pollution that humans inflict on the planet cause ecological changes that only upset the balance further--say, when we overfish a species to near-extinction, or choke bodies of water with plastic. Those are just a couple of obvious ways our sin contributes to natural upheaval in ways that jeopardize our own lives.
It’s also true that physical suffering and mortality can be worsened by our own free choice. When we choose to abuse our bodies through substances and poor diet, we may bring sickness on ourselves. Alcohol and drugs can also break up families and doom children to poverty. Our sinful wars magnify these things many times over. War brings poverty, starvation and disease. We see video footage of emaciated children, and we’re moved to compassion. As well we should be; but it’s not just drought and famine that explains their suffering. In many cases, human warlords are intentionally blocking resources from coming to these innocent children, to starve them out. When aid is sent, they sometimes seize the supplies meant to give them a fighting chance. The judgment they will face at God’s throne will be awful.
The seemingly innocent choices we make can also put us in harm’s way. For instance, it’s very popular for people to build, and rebuild, homes close to fault lines, on flood planes, on hurricane-prone coastlines, fire-prone, wooded areas, and yes, in “tornado alley.” Our own settlement patterns do place us right in the path of some of the most threatening weather and geologic events. We do this partially because some of those natural forces that can pose a threat also have beneficial effects that contribute to human life and flourishing. The same thunderstorm that can produce a tornado that will range freely over the flat plains also brings the nourishing rains that make fertile the “breadbasket” of our nation. The coasts that are prone to hurricanes also give access to fish, fruit orchards, and maritime trade, as well as beauty and recreation. Those are just a couple of examples, but I hope you see the point: some of the natural forces that God has placed for our benefit also carry risks.
It might seem odd to think this way, but the natural upheaval that threatens us can also have spiritual benefits. The awesome forces of nature starkly remind us how small and vulnerable we are. We love to set up grand illusions that we have everything under our control, but one disaster will obliterate our self-deceptions and send us to our knees. We’re forcibly shown that we are completely dependent on God’s mercy and protection. Instead of pretending at self-sufficiency, we may be driven to pray. We thank the Lord for the blessings He’s sent, and humbly ask Him for today’s daily bread. When hardship strikes, God offers us the opportunity to learn to walk by faith, not by sight. We’re given a chance to learn and cling to the promises of His word, that He will cause all things to work out for our good, if only we’ll trust Him. When those we love are struck with hardship, we are moved to compassion and sacrificial giving. Do you see how even the worst events, which leave us humbled and baffled, can actually develop spiritual maturity? This is the effect of “soul-making” which the Irenaeus, the early Church Father, noticed in connection with mysterious suffering. But, I love the simple way Paul expressed it in Romans 5:3-5 (NKJV)…
And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
But again, we cannot ignore the fact that we are mortal human beings, and many of the natural evils that come on us are bound up with our mortality. Unless Jesus comes again, all of us will die and return to dust. None of us is guaranteed a certain number of years before we pass; we’re not even assured of a tomorrow. Death comes at different times to different people, and natural disasters are just one mechanism by which that happens. Thankfully, however, that isn’t the final word. Remember what Paul wrote in Romans 8, that the creation is subjected to frustration because of its spiritual bond to humanity? The natural world has been warped, just as we have been warped through sin. But that passage is primarily hopeful! It says that creation is waiting for the revealing of the “sons of God,” at which time it, too, will be freed from its bondage to corruption.
This is the story the Bible tells: that which God has created good has been corrupted by sin. This is true of humans and the earth. But God has set in motion a plan to redeem both of them, through the victorious work of Christ on the cross. Those who turn from sin and trust in Jesus as their redeemer are set free from their bondage to sin, but also to death. Their mortal bodies will die and return to the dust, but God will raise those bodies and transform them to be eternal and incorruptible. A plan of redemption is also set for this world. The world we know has an appointment with destruction, a “fervent heat” which will burn up everything and lay the earth bare, according to 2 Peter 3:10. But the death of this mortal earth will herald its own kind of resurrection. It will be transformed and glorified--we will spend eternity on a new earth, inhabiting resurrection bodies, with the Lord forever. We must remember, God is the Creator of all things, including everything which has been warped by sin. But does that mean God’s work has been destroyed or ruined irretrievably? No! These things are the works of God’s hands, and He will not allow His work to be defeated by sin. They are His, and no one but Him has the right to determine their fate. He will reclaim, transform and glorify all the things He has made--He will be the Victor! And we will be blessed to be part of His victory.
Until then, we all know how hard it is to endure suffering--particularly that which does not seem to be our fault. We don’t know the reasons for it all now, but we WILL understand it when God’s great redemption plans are brought to their eternal fulfillment. So until then, trust in the Lord! Give Him your hurt, and let Him give you His strength. Give Him your need, and let Him give you His supply. He’ll heal your heart and reward your faith, if you but persevere.
Your Brother and Servant,
Pastor Scott.
