If There Is a God, Why Are There Natural Disasters?

Question of the week: I have watched Neil DeGrasse Tyson and other atheists use the argument that natural disasters like earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, floods, wildfires, droughts, and asteroid collisions prove the nonexistence of a personal God. Why would a loving God make Earth such a dangerous place to live? How would you answer someone who uses similar arguments against God?

My answer: You will find detailed answers in these two books: Why the Universe Is the Way It Is;¹ More Than a Theory.² In short, in the context of the laws of physics the number and intensity of tsunamis, earthquakes, floods, asteroids, volcanic eruptions, wildfires, hurricanes, etc. on Earth are optimal for humans and human civilization. Each provides evidence for supernatural design and supernatural love for humans. In each case, too few events or too many or too severe or too tepid would produce worse consequences for us. With different laws of physics, they could be eliminated, but we need the laws of physics to be precisely and pervasively the way they are for evil to be quickly and efficiently eradicated by God while the physical and psychological suffering of humans and the rest of Earth’s life is minimized. I explain why in my book, Why the Universe Is the Way It Is. Anyone can get a free chapter of this book, or any of my books, at reasons.org/ross. 

The need for us to be temporarily subjected to the laws of physics in order to be eternally delivered from evil and suffering explains why God intervenes so seldom to rescue us from the consequences of the laws of physics. God does so only when the rescue brings about a more efficient and rapid deliverance from evil in the particular situation than allowing the natural operation of the laws of physics to run their course.

Endnotes

1. Hugh Ross, Why the Universe Is the Way It Is (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2008).
2. Hugh Ross, More Than a Theory (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2009).