Subject: If we ask for healing does God answer no |
Bible Note: Hi Mitch, There are at least 4 main challenges with your argument that I can see: 1. Scripture NOWHERE tells us that it is always God's will to heal. To appeal to the name-it-and-claim-it doctrine is to fall prey to spurious theology. This is a very recent- 20th and 21st Century- interpretation. None of the 19th Century Commentators like Spurgeon, nor the Church Fathers held this belief. It is a major stretch to overlook almost 2000 years of Church history? Don't you think? 2. You are presupposing on God and His Sovereignty. Psalm 115:3 says: "But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased" God is not obligated to us, nor is He beholden to our layings claims to be healed. He is the sovereign, supreme Creator of the universe! He can choose to heal or not. He's still God!(Ps. 135:5-6) 3. What of those such as Joni Erikson Tada, and hosts of others who have incredible testimonies and ministries- despite physical afflictions? Surely you're not going to tell me they lack faith or "haven't been taught right"? It's not about basing our belief on a persons' lifestyle. 4. What of the supreme treatise on Faith in Hebrews 11:1-34? ALL of those examples mentioned were commended for their FAITH! yet, even by faith: "...others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect." [vs. 36-40] We could also use Pauls' affliction- a thorn in the flesh- in 2 Cor. 12 as a prime example. Timothy had an infirmity, and Trophimus was left sick in Miletum- 2 Tim. 4:20. Why weren't they healed according to your formula? Is it possible that God worked through them despite physical afflictions? Mitch, I don't wish to argue this matter or belabor the point any further. You are welcome to believe what you want. However, as for me and my household, I choose to walk by faith. Speaking the Truth in Love, BradK |