Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!usc!ucsd!rutgers!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: root@mamia.UCAR.EDU (Sys Admin) Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Re: Thorn in the flesh Message-ID: Date: 23 Nov 90 06:09:37 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Organization: AFCEA Educational Foundation Lines: 31 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu In article ASC105@psuvm.psu.edu writes: > Is it God's will to heal us? YES! Why? Because of the explanation >given in Hebrews 8:6 that we are under a BETTER covenant. The NEW >COVENANT has been in effect ever since Jesus presented Himself as a >perfect sacrifice. It was not only for taking away of sins, but also >for redemption from sickness -- Isaiah 53:4-5. Christians are under >this New Covenant that Job wasn't. > There are things that can block healing, but God is patient with us. > In Jesus's Name, > Allen S. Cheung > (Jesus is Lord) The problem I have with this (along with other evangelicals like Everett Koop) is that while God does heal, there is always a tendency on the part of those believing the above to treat those who fail to be healed as second-class Christians. It's yet another form of blaming the poor victim. Everyone in this life eventually sickens and dies. If it were God's will to heal always, this would not universally be so. In addition, those who have lost bodyparts to disease or accident do not regrow them. If it is really God's will to heal, then by such circular theology either all such individuals don't want to accept God's healing, or the job is just too big for Him. Obviously, that's not so. When faulty theology runs up against reality, something has to give. Not God, but some human misconceptions about Him should.