One of the classic scenes of the Icelandic sagas comes from Njal’s Saga, in its description of the deliberations of the Icelandic Althing (national assembly) over the issue of converting to Christianity, about the year 1000 A.D.

As the debate raged, news came that a volcano had erupted, and the lava was threatening one of the leaders’ farms. The heathens in the assembly immediately pounced on this as evidence that the old gods were angry.

At that point Snorri the Chieftain (who happens to be a character in my novel West Oversea) stepped up and asked, “Then who were the gods angry at when this lava around us flowed?” He was referring to the rugged Icelandic landscape, which is all formed of cooled lava. The argument was dropped, and eventually the Icelanders agreed to be baptized (thus becoming, I’m told, the only nation in history to adopt Christianity through legislative action).

I tend to agree with Snorri (though he’s hardly my favorite saga character). I won’t go so far as to say that signs never come in our day, but I’m leery of them. Whenever I’ve thought I’ve seen a sign in my own life, it’s turned out to be an embarrassment. My church body believes that, in our time, those who have the Scriptures don’t need any further input on divine matters.

And yet, sometimes…



This is a picture of Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. Central is the largest, most prestigious and stately Lutheran church in the city. It’s often called a “Lutheran cathedral.”

Yesterday, Central members were operating a refreshment venue there, for the annual conference of The Very Large Lutheran Church Body That Shall Remain Nameless. The main body was meeting at the convention center across the street. The VLLCBTSRN was debating a document that would give approval to “chaste, monogamous” sexual relationships between people of the same sex.

As they deliberated, an almost unheard-of, freak weather event happened. A tornado struck downtown Minneapolis (I’m not making this up). The tornado struck Central Lutheran Church and, along with other damage, knocked down the cross on its steeple. You can see it clearly in the photo (Getty Images).

John Piper is in no doubt as to the significance. According to WORLD Magazine, he says:

The tornado in Minneapolis was a gentle but firm warning to the ELCA and all of us: Turn from the approval of sin. Turn from the promotion of behaviors that lead to destruction. Reaffirm the great Lutheran heritage of allegiance to the truth and authority of Scripture. Turn back from distorting the grace of God into sensuality. Rejoice in the pardon of the cross of Christ and its power to transform left and right wing sinners.

I have a hard time being that certain. Sometimes weather is just weather.

But man, it sure looks like a cosmic slap upside the head.

“Why didn’t God strike the convention center, where the delegates were?” someone may ask.

Because the convention center doesn’t have a cross to knock over.