Why Does God Heal Some But Not Others?

Welcome to Christianarchy Today! This is Steve, Shawn, and Ethan, and we're here to talk about topics that matter. Last week, we pulled out an intriguing topic: Why does God heal some people but not others?

Understanding God's Purpose in Healing

Ethan, what are your thoughts on this?

Thank you, Steve. I think God uses healing for a purpose. When Jesus began his ministry around 30 A.D., he healed people to prove his divinity and to demonstrate that he was the Messiah. God doesn't heal randomly; he does it with intention, to prove a point, and to convey a message. That's my perspective on it.

Wrestling with Uncertainty

Steve here. My answer is that I don't know. It's a fallen world, and we encounter many problems. Things happen to people due to the actions of others and circumstances. This ties back to God starting us off in different places. Whether or not he heals some, I can't say for sure. We have free will, and it's a fallen world, so I'm uncertain how that plays out. Let's dig deeper into this question. Are we specifically referring to Jesus performing miracles or modern-day instances of miraculous healing, like someone being healed from terminal cancer?

The Context of Modern Miracles

In today's age, the situation is more complicated. It might still be for the original purpose of glorifying God and bringing someone to Christ through a miracle. Alternatively, it could be due to natural effects, which we attribute to God. It might even be the miracle of medical science, for which we thank God. He's given us the power and knowledge for advanced medical technology, which continues to improve.

Modern Medical Miracles

I agree, Shawn. It could become a slippery slope if we attribute every single miracle to God. There's a fine line between acknowledging God's hand and attributing everything to divine intervention. I think Jesus's healings were prophesied to demonstrate his divinity. He healed the blind and restored hearing in an age with no medical advancements, making those acts truly remarkable.

The Spiritual Heart: The Miracle of Our Age

Today, however, we have doctors achieving remarkable feats through the power of God, his gift of intuition, science, and intelligence. I don't think God primarily focuses on physical healing anymore. Instead, I believe it’s about healing the spiritual heart. The true miracle of our age is when a resistant sinner allows God to heal them from the inside. That's what I find to be the most meaningful miracle now.

Exploring Divine Healing and Its Implications

Is the modern perception of divine healing more wishful thinking than reality? In today's world, claims of miraculous healings—ranging from curing the common cold to raising the dead—might seem appealing. However, is it truly happening on such a grand scale today? The answer isn't straightforward. While some instances might reflect divine intervention, attributing every medical success to such forces is perhaps more dangerous than beneficial.

The Dangers of Misattributing Miracles

Believing that every medical miracle is a result of divine intervention raises several concerns. If someone isn't healed, does it then suggest a lack of faith on their part? This idea traces back to the mystical beliefs of the 1800s and 1900s, where faith was solely credited for healing. Today, this mindset persists, with individuals contriving evidence to fit their narratives of spiritual healing, leading to "bad faith" scenarios.

A Testimony of Partial Healing

Let me share a personal story that illustrates this point. About a year ago, during a physical appointment, my doctor noticed a significant curvature in my spine. The x-ray showed a 35-degree angle. After a visit to a church known for its spirited healing practices, I felt somewhat better. Another x-ray later showed a 20-degree curvature—certainly an improvement, but only partial. If we attribute this change to divine intervention, it seems a bit far-fetched, considering that biblical accounts of healing, as we understand them, involved complete cures.

The Impact of Unanswered Prayers

Another issue arises when people of faith pour their hearts into prayers and fasting, hoping for a miracle that never comes. When a sick child doesn't recover despite unwavering belief and adherence to religious practices, it devastates the individual. They might blame God, leading them to question or even abandon their faith. This disillusionment often stems from attributing the wrong actions or outcomes to divine will.

Real-Life Implications

Consider the story of a neighbor from my past. When he was four years old, his baby brother died due to poor lung function. This tragic event caused him to question God's existence ever since. Such experiences highlight the importance of understanding that bad things in life do not necessarily reflect a lack of faith. Unfortunately, some prosperity preachers perpetuate the idea that strong faith correlates with wealth and well-being, contrasting starkly with the lived experiences of early apostles and disciples.

It is crucial to address these misconceptions and understand the nuances of faith, prayer, and healing in today's world.

Understanding Faith and Free Will in a Fallen World

Faith can often seem hypocritical when it's used to only support certain viewpoints, especially when portions of religious texts, like the Bible, are selectively highlighted. It's crucial to acknowledge the true miracles, such as spiritual healing, that play a significant role in our lives. In today's world, where bad things happen due to our fallen nature and free will, God works through these tragedies for our spiritual health, rather than focusing solely on physical healing.

The Distinction Between Spiritual and Physical Healing

An important distinction must be made: God isn’t a puppet master controlling every detail of our lives based on our faith. He provides us with the freedom to make choices, even when those choices lead to harm. For instance, God won't necessarily prevent harm just because someone else believes; providing impenetrable skin to a person because they have faith would create contradictory and unrealistic situations.

Faith and Miracles in Context

In several instances, Jesus mentioned that with enough faith, one could move mountains or have prayers answered in his name. This is often misunderstood. People tend to think if they have no doubt, whatever they desire will happen. However, God's plan may differ from our desires. When God's plan doesn't align with our expectations, it’s crucial to trust in His wisdom rather than our own understanding.

The problem with interpreting these passages arises when context is ignored. Jesus spoke these words to his chosen 12 Apostles. This was in an era where miracles were meant to showcase his role as the Messiah, not as a blanket promise to all believers. Applying these words literally and generally can lead to misguided beliefs and actions.

Personal Reflections on Faith and Prayer

Turning to a personal level, when challenges arise with my children, like sickness, I pray for God's intervention. The question is, who gets the credit when they're healed, and how do we respond if they're not? Interestingly, I credit God regardless of the outcome. As I pray more frequently, seemingly better things have been happening in my life. While the reason for this is uncertain, it's a conversation I've been having internally.

In these reflections, the essence of faith and free will is explored, highlighting the importance of spiritual over physical healing, and clarifying common misconceptions about Biblical promises. By understanding God's plan and maintaining personal communication with Him through prayer, we learn to navigate the complexities of faith in our lives.

The Power of Prayer and Faith

A Deeper Connection with God

Lately, I've been pondering why I feel so blessed when I pray. I believe it's a lesson in faith, and I give all the glory to God. Prayer is a tool that builds resilience in tough situations and strengthens our relationship with Him. Inevitably, bad things will happen, like deathSeparation from God—now overcome. Physical death remains, but it no longer separates us from life with God. or family problems. People die, and it's important to have a conversation with God, cultivating that relationship. It's not just about asking for things. It's about a mutual exchange that deepens our connection with Him.

Rethinking Our Approach to Prayer

I think our understanding of prayer is often flawed. We tend to treat it like writing a letter to Santa, asking for things like getting an A on a test, promising to be faithful if our wishes are granted. I've made those promises myself and found that I'd get an A and then not remain faithful. Prayer should be about building resilience and accepting what God decides.

We can pray for strength, patience, and resilience, but in terms of healing, we should trust God no matter the outcome. Let us ask for endurance during difficult times and strive to remain faithful, avoiding the temptation to place blame on Him.

Embracing the Challenges

When you pray for faith, God doesn't simply give it to you. Instead, He provides situations that challenge your faith. Similarly, praying to learn how to love might not instantly make you a loving person, but it could present you with people who are difficult to love. We need to be mindful of what we pray for and set realistic expectations. The “name it and claim it” approach only leads to disappointment.

The Role of Free Will in Prayer

My final thought on prayer relates to free will and our fallen world. I believe God is good and does not act despotically, unlike what some Calvinists might teach. In my view, when we pray and invite God to intervene, it opens a crack in the cosmos. This might allow Him to act on our behalf in ways that respect free will, like preventing harm or aiding healing. Our prayers might allow this divine intervention in a free-will economy.

Conclusion

Prayer is a complex act of faith and communication with God. It provides comfort and resilience, teaching us to trust in His will. It's about developing a relationship with God, one that allows for His intervention while respecting the freedom of the world we live in. Let's continue to pray, not just for easy answers, but for the strength and understanding to accept whatever comes our way.

Behind the Scenes of Our Show

Upcoming Topics

"Pick for next week," you'll often hear us say. But wait, aren't we doing the comments? No, that's a different show. The comments will happen on a separate show. You might have missed the decision if you were in the back eating when we made that call. Sorry, you missed out on the vote!

Our Turn

Is it your turn? I think so. This poor guy—people get to vote on what we discuss. Transgenderism is right down your alley, isn't it? What a divine coincidence, Wendy.

Transphobia Accusations

For those of you who don't know, I got accused of being a transphobe the other day. I was telling everybody about it. It seems I'm seen as transphobic because I said I wouldn't date anyone who's trans.

Personal Preferences

Oh, you wouldn't date anyone who's trans? I don't really blame you on that one. I don't think I would either. What would be the purpose of that? I don't know.

Wrap Up

We'll deal with that topic next week here on "Cat Out." Good Lord. Bye for now!