I am frequently asked the question, “If there was no sin would that mean there would be no natural disasters?” My answer to this question is that I think the natural cycle of the earth wouldn’t mean there are still wildfires, hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, and other natural disasters. But I think that humanity without sin would find ways to better respond to these disasters. I just read an article about eye drops that could replace glasses for some. Research is also indicating that we might be on the cusp of gene therapies to help treat everything from sickle cell anemia to blindness, and even cancer. The breakthroughs we are seeing from modern medicine are truly breathtaking, the potential for healing that is on the horizon is astounding.
A medical technology shows such promise that if we could find ways to work together and realize the potential shown in this technology transform the world. I do not want to get too deep into interpreting Genesis 1-11 in this short post [if this raises questions for you let me know I’ll try to address them]. But one of the themes of Genesis 1-11 is that humanity was created to help God bring order to creation. In Genesis 1 humanity is given the task of “subduing and governing” creation. This implies there are elements of creation that are not yet entirely what God wants them to be and humanity was meant to work with God to make creation better. Genesis 3-11 shows humanity rejecting this calling. Though Genesis 11 is often read as a warning against humanity working together, this is not completely accurate. Genesis 11 is about humanity working together to undermine God’s plan for creation. The builders of the Tower of Babel were trying to set themselves in God’s place rather than working with God. Genesis 11 is not simply about humanity cooperating it is about humanity cooperating in the wrong ways and for the wrong reasons. Zephaniah 3 looks forward to a day when Babel will be reversed and humanity will work with God in the way we were intended. And this is part of the restoration the New Testament sees as coming with Jesus.
What we should be focusing on is not a hypothetical world without natural disasters or disease, but on how we cooperate within God’s plan to “subdue and govern” this earth. This includes working together to find cures for diseases and to ease the negative impacts our world has on society. Over the last six months I have seen a number of Christians in widely different fields all lament the same thing. The are all hurt by the fact our society is cutting back on our investment in helping humanity “subdue and govern” the world. Obviously they are not using these words, but whether it is cuts to medical research, humanitarian efforts, protection from natural disasters, this is what they are saying. We as a society are not investing in mitigating the harm of this world.
Our calling is to work together with others and God to perfect this world. We should be investing in projects that help fight diseases. We should be helping to provide relief for those impacted by war and natural disaster. Will we eliminate every disease, probably not. Will we control hurricanes, doubtful. But can we make a difference in how disease and disaster impact the world, yes. Christians should be leaders in society calling on governments and private organizations to help care for creation. We should be using our resources wisely to bring healing to this world. The focus of Scripture is rarely on what could have been, instead it is on where are we going. And the answer to this for Christians should be toward a world that fulfills the calling of Genesis 1.
Squinting in the Light 
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