Healing and Suffering in the Bible Dr Keith Warrington
It’s natural to avoid suffering by all means but it’s not always Christian
Healing in the OT Physicians were valued Physicians were valued Healings were normally achieved by prophets Healings were normally achieved by prophets Healings were normally associated with prayer Healings were normally associated with prayer Healing was a gift of God Healing was a gift of God
Suffering in the OT Suffering was part of life Suffering was part of life …and some of it was senseless It was sign of the end times It was sign of the end times It was linked with persecution It was linked with persecution Satan sometimes caused it Satan sometimes caused it God improved his people thro suffering God improved his people thro suffering It provided opportunities for care of others It provided opportunities for care of others
Suffering has value It was chastisement for personal sin It was chastisement for personal sin …but not always It had vicarious value It had vicarious value God is present in it God is present in it …providing strength to cope …sometimes identifying sin …offering hope for the future It prepared the way for the Messiah It prepared the way for the Messiah
Suffering in the Gospels Suffering is the backdrop to the Gospels Suffering is the forecast for disciples But they do not suffer alone… …the Spirit is their partner Suffering is beginning to be redeemed
Healings of Jesus in the Gospels Jesus did not come primarily to heal Jesus did not come primarily to heal …nor simply to heal The healings pointed to his authority The healings pointed to his authority …to welcome back the marginalised …over the Sabbath…the Law…the temple …to forgive sins …to bring in a new kind of kingdom …to help people believe in him The healings ask the question “who is he?” The healings ask the question “who is he?”
The value of the healings of Jesus? We can learn from him But he did not leave a definitive methodology The healings point to him …they show us his majestic authority …they offer the unbelievable thought …God has come to us …his name is Jesus
Healing in the book of Acts The healing stories are selective The healing stories are selective They are achieved mainly by Peter & Paul They are achieved mainly by Peter & Paul It looks as if Jesus is doing the healing It looks as if Jesus is doing the healing …the use of the hands…just like Jesus …the use of a command…just like Jesus …the name of Jesus…just like… The resurrected Jesus is not absent The resurrected Jesus is not absent …the healings prove it
Healing in Paul The Spirit is associated with healing… The Spirit is associated with healing… …charismatic gifts of healings The Spirit delegates these gifts… The Spirit delegates these gifts… …when he wants to …to whomsoever he wishes …for the benefit of others
Suffering in Paul Paul writes much more about suffering Suffering is normative for believers Suffering can be for our benefit Suffering provides opportunities for God to… The Spirit is associated with suffering …supporting us …praying for us …participating in it with us The concept of suffering is redeemed by Paul
Healing and suffering in James The earliest NT information about healing The earliest NT information about healing The context is of social suffering The context is of social suffering James offers a path to wholeness James offers a path to wholeness It needs a Jew to explain it best… It needs a Jew to explain it best… …oil has symbolic value for the weak It centres on prayer It centres on prayer …listening from God …for guidance as to how to pray
The Bible provides some information about healing and suffering It needs to be contextualised carefully The Spirit and the Christian community are important to enable Christians …to minister appropriately to the suffering Christians need to remember they have 2 ears …one to listen to those suffering …and one to listen to the Spirit