Q: Many Christians (including prominent figures) have attributed the atrocities on America as the "judgment" of God. Could you state your position on this issue? I believe that carelessness in regards to this issue by Christians is very damaging to our witness.

A: The Bible does say in Psalm 33:12 "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord" and in Proverbs 14:34 that "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people."

Furthermore, it is true that God judges nations collectively (see Joshua & Judges) and that America is a nation that is infamous for pornography, abortion, etc. However, we should proceed with the utmost caution in proclaiming such an event as an act of God's judgment rather than an act of evil committed by sinful men. It is true, as Habakkuk lamented (1:12, 13), that sometimes God utilizes the wicked in His acts of judgment, but we must remember that, unlike Ancient Israel, the United States is not a theocratic government. Likewise, perhaps the only way to know with absolute certainty if such an event was God's judgment is if, like in Ancient Israel, a prophet had provided a proclamation warning of impending judgment.

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