Is nature, or can nature rebel?

[pm2222]

Does this sound correct?..with natural disasters, many people say that God is punishing people because of their sins, but i heard somewhere that nature is rebelling against human’s sins. For example when Jesus was crucified, there was an earthquake, because nature knew man’s sins caused Jesus to suffer. Also, this is a quote from St. Jean Marie Baptiste Vianney, the Cure of Ars ‘In fact, my children, it is sin that brings upon us all calamities, all scourges, war, famine, pestilence, earthquakes, fires, frost, hail, storms, – all that afflicts us, all that makes us miserable.’ Finally, the New Testament says that at the end of times there will be earthquakes and such…is this because nature will and is rebelling on human’s sins? I know God created nature, and he created it good, but is it possible that nature can rebel?

 

[Sherry_G]

I think the saint was referring to our fallen nature that is at the root of all the trials and tribulations that we undergo, up to and including death. In no way was he stating that we are “being punished”, rather that up until original sin, Adam and Eve knew no suffering and no trials. the world was a perfect place and humans were created perfect, enjoyed the world and kept company with God Himself.

Bad things can happen to good people and often do. It’s how we handle it that counts. Let’s face it…no one gets out of this world alive and pain and suffering are more often than not, involved. Look at all the Saints who were martyred…killed by evil men. They were not being punished. Rather, they gladly faced their death,knowing that they would be with the Lord in the next life.

 

[Dale_M]

is it possible that nature can rebel?

That would be possible only if nature were a creature, and possessed an independent will.

I don’t think there is anything in Catholic teaching to support such a view.

 

[tonyrey]

As Dale has explained it is impossible for nature to rebel but Calvin was mistaken in believing every drop of rain falls at the express command of God. It is the laws of nature which determine the course of events - apart from divine interventions and human decisions. Nature is blind and often unfortunate coincidences occur which cause suffering and death. That is why “she” seems to rebel but in reality purposeless events occur within the framework of Design.

 

[pm2222]

I just dont understand how God would create these natural disasters because he doesnt create anything bad but only good. Do you think maybe after the flood that all the changes that happened in the world led to these natural disasters? I mean i have never heard anyone saying an earthquake was good.

 

[tonyrey]

I just dont understand how God would create these natural disasters because he doesnt create anything bad but only good. Do you think maybe after the flood that all the changes that happened in the world led to these natural disasters? I mean i have never heard anyone saying an earthquake was good.

1. Disasters are not morally evil because no one is directly responsible for them.
2. Disasters are natural evils because they have natural causes.
3. Disasters are inevitable because without those natural causes life wouldn’t exist!
4. Disasters occur only when earthquakes or other events cause injury, suffering and death.

 

[pm2222]

But they have to have some kind of reason right? Like yeah i understand it is because of natural causes, but God could have just as easily created a world where those natural causes didnt have to form earthquakes, hurricanes, etc. I heard one time that with these we learn to become more dependent on God.

 

[tonyrey]

But they have to have some kind of reason right? Like yeah i understand it is because of natural causes, but God could have just as easily created a world where those natural causes didnt have to form earthquakes, hurricanes, etc. I heard one time that with these we learn to become more dependent on God.

The question is “how?” It is one thing to say it is possible and another to provide a blueprint of an accident-free world… There are such things as physical impossibilities!

 

[fred_conty]

The Cure of Ars said “'In fact, my children, it is sin that brings upon us all calamities,…”

He is referring to the first sin which brought these upon mankind as punishment.

 

[Benadam]

There is a connection, I think, between the powers of nature that make our bodies and the powers of nature operating external to our bodies.

Jesus may have alluded to it when He told the Jewish leaders that if His diciples were quieted the very stones would cry out.

I think nature rebels when the sins against it have no defense.

I think primary among those sins are sins against human nature.