The bible teaches that God is omnipotent (all powerful) but the events witnessed in the world cause a lot of questions on the nature of God and the infallibility of the bible. In a world fraught with natural disasters like earthquakes, famine, flood and more it is hard for a lot of people to believe in an omnipotent God who does nothing to prevent the disaster. This leads to questioning the bible.
However before questioning the bible one should be familiar with what it says on the subject of God and his control over the natural world. In Colossians 1:16-17 it is written that “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him. And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” This is an explanation of omnipotence of Jesus Christ which is further echoed in John 1:10 and Isaiah 4:28. In James 5:17 Elias prays earnestly that it does not rain and rains fail for a period of three years and six months.
Therefore the bible says that God can and does influence the weather and other natural phenomena. In Numbers 16:30-34 the phenomena described is reminiscent of an earthquake. Granted then that the God does control the natural phenomena why does He chose to do so in way that causes suffering and pain to humanity that it is claimed He loves? This is a common question for believers and non-believers regarding the relationship between the bible and the God it portrays and the world they actually see.
Before questioning the bible, the Christian should make sure they are well informed on how God controls the weather and to what end. Deuteronomy 11:17 says “Then the LORD’s anger will burn against you, and he will shut the heavens so that it will not rain and the ground will yield no produce, and you will soon perish from the good land the LORD is giving you.” This serves to show the Lord uses bad weather changes to punish. In the midst of blessings, most people tend to forget God. When Israelites forgot they were being blessed and moved away from God they were punished with a drought.
When foul weather visits, it is not only sinners who suffer, but also the innocent, including the pious, children and the disabled. The bible does specify, indeed does even imply that every natural disaster is a punishment. However natural disaster do give ample ground for questioning the bible because God is in total control of nature and could prevent natural disasters if he so wished so why doesn’t he?
Such events shake our confidence in life and force people to think about eternity. It makes people realize that life is fickle and can be lost at any instant. Many amazing miracles occur during course of every natural disaster and prevent even greater loss of life. This is perhaps why God is allows them to happen. But as long as there are natural disasters people will always question the infallibility of the bible.