According to a FoxNews.com story, Nebraska State Senator Ernie Chambers decided to sue God over the natural disasters. His actions would be funny if they did not entail such dangerous theology. In essence, Sen. Chambers declared that God must answer to man for all the harm God caused. Senator Chambers is promoting man to god (little ‘g’ used intentionally) and demoting God to servant.

Many theological issues are raised in this one story: sovereignty, foreknowledge, sin, death, nature of man, the role of God, the nature of God, and much more. Each one of these would result in a very long article. However, I wish to keep this brief. Therefore, I will simply refer Sen. Chambers to God’s response to Job, in which God declared his power and sovereignty; he also declared our finite nature and wisdom. I will also refer the Senator to Romans 9:20-24. Paul, here, is responding to the rhetorical question about how God can hold us accountable for our sins if he is in control of all things. Paul’s answer is that as the creation, we have no right to question God’s decisions because he is the creator. He illustrates it by saying that the clay does not order the potter, but that the potter is in control of the clay.

These two passages are merely a sample, yet they reveal that God is the one who is in control. Furthermore, it teaches that God does not answer to us, we answer to God. Those who believe God owes man, I ask you only to consider this:

  • We sin against God constantly, even running away from God to go our own ways (Isa 53:6; Rom 3:10-23)
  • Because of our sin, we deserve death (Rom 6:23; Heb 9:27)
  • God gives us life and offers us salvation even though we are sinners (Luke 19:10; John 3:16-18; Rom 5:8; Phil 2:9-11)
  • Salvation and eternal life is a free gift given out of grace, received through faith and not by works (Rom 6:23; Eph 2:8-9)
  • Only through faith in Christ can we be saved (John 3:18; 14:6; Acts 4:12)

Considering all this, knowing who we are–a deprived, sinful, rebellious people–and whom God is–a loving father who offers eternal life to those who rebel–I ask who owes who what? Does God owe us or do we owe God?

The answer: We owe God!

What should you do? Repent of your sin and call on Christ for your salvation.