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The problem was so great that the Trinity offered a radical solution: the death of the Son of God for the life of the world. The radical nature of the solution speaks loudly of the magnitude of the problem.

Natural disasters remind us that it is not just people but the whole creation that became sick unto death and is being renewed unto life. Paul writes of the whole creation "groaning as in the pains of childbirth" (Rom. 8.22, NLT). The pangs of childbirth can seem intolerable. Yet now in Christ they have their place in the larger picture of birth and renewal. "All creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. … [And] all creation anticipates the day when it will join God's children in glorious freedom from death and decay" (Rom. 8:19, 21).

The discussion of God's control over people and nature today must not be separated from God's victory at the end of history. At the center of this story—at the pivotal point in the narrative—is Jesus, with his arms outstretched. We may not understand or be able to "make sense" of accidental deaths, whether singly or by the tens or hundreds of thousands. We can, however, know Jesus, and in his embrace, we can in turn embrace the suffering world and offer it a sure hope. And it is this costly embrace that Christians the world over have made in recent weeks as they have given generously and worked tirelessly to relieve the suffering in South Asia.

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Our tsunami weblog rounded up dozens of articles seeking meaning in the disaster.

Our full coverage of the Indian Ocean tsunami includes:

Indonesian Christians in NYC Gather Money, Pray for Spiritual Healing | Church thankful that few friends and family were in worst-hit areas. (Jan. 03, 2005)

Church Building and Its Members Reported Swept to Sea | Horrific and hopeful stories emerging from Sri Lankan Christians. (Jan. 03, 2005)

Sri Lanka Bible College Aiding Victims, Churches | More than 30,000 of island nation's 20 million people dead. (Jan. 03, 2005)

India's Christians Prominent in Casualties and Aid | Velankanni basilica, Christian fishermen among hardest hit. (Dec. 30, 2004)

Disaster Prompts 'Neighborly Love' | The director of Youth for Christ in Sri Lanka meets Christian survivors straining to deliver aid to victims despite their own losses. (Dec. 30, 2004)

Tsunami Survivors Desperate for Aid | Christian groups worldwide mobilize massive relief effort to South Asia. (Dec. 29, 2004)

Other tsunami weblogs include articles on theodicy:

Tsunami Weblog: Combining the Gospel with Aid | Plus: Tensions increase between Muslim militants and aid workers; Christian, Hindu groups fighting to help; Churches giving aid; more theodicy debates; and more articles from online sources around the world. (Jan. 11, 2005)

Tsunami Weblog: UNICEF Confirms the Kidnapping of Tsunami Orphans | Plus: Ake Green condemns Phelps's attacks on gay Swedes, tax deduction deadline extended for tsunami donations, Muslim radicals provide relief, and other stories from online sources around the world. (Jan. 07, 2005)

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February 2005, Vol. 49, No. 2