Help me disprove a common objection to prosperity and healing No. 2

[godson777]

Some people have quoted the following verse to make the point that sometimes God puts sickness on people:

John 9:3 says: Jesus answered, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him.

People often quote this verse and say that even though the man was eventually healed, this man was sick so that God could do a good work in Him. They then come to the seemingly logical conclusion that God made him sick (blind) so that He could heal Him and be praised. They then say that since God made this man sick for a time, He could make us sick for a time.

I know that God doesn't cause anyone to be sick, however, can you please help me to explain to this person where they are misunderstanding this verse? Thanks heaps!

 

[Andrew]

1. Where does it say that God made the person sick?

2. The disciples asked a really dumb question. How in the world can this man's sin cause him to be blind when he was blind FROM birth??? Unless you are saying he sinned as a sperm. Hello!?

3. The disciples, like many Christians, were focusing on who's fault/sin it was. Jesus did not. He came up with a solution which glorified God.

4. See the grace of God here: This man was blind from birth. ie he was already blind in his mother's womb. IOW, even when the world can't see the problem you are facing becos it is still 'hidden in the womb', God knows all about it, sees it and will make everything OK!

Also, see:
http://sg.geocities.com/saltandlight5/revelations_manbornblind.html

I share some Holy Spirit revelations here on the story and its parallelism to salvation.

 

[Andrew]

If you cut off a man's arm and then re-attach it using your skills as a surgeon, do you think you deserve praise from people? I mean, you cut off the poor fella's arm, made him suffer, just so you can show off your skills as a surgeon and gain respect?

But if an evil man or accident cut off this man's arm and you reattach it, even if you are showing off your skills as a surgeon, I think people will still praise you and respect you for it.

Those who say that God made the man blind are putting God in the first category.

 

[victoryword]

Some people have quoted the following verse to make the point that sometimes God puts sickness on people:

John 9:3 says: Jesus answered, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him.

People often quote this verse and say that even though the man was eventually healed, this man was sick so that God could do a good work in Him. They then come to the seemingly logical conclusion that God made him sick (blind) so that He could heal Him and be praised. They then say that since God made this man sick for a time, He could make us sick for a time.

I know that God doesn't cause anyone to be sick, however, can you please help me to explain to this person where they are misunderstanding this verse? Thanks heaps!

Godson777

A number of Greek scholars and Bible commentators refute the idea that God was the one who made the man blind. I have some research on it and I will post it as soon as I get a chance. However, the structure of the Greek language according to a number of Greek scholars disallows God having to take the blame for the man's blindness. the basic teaching of that passage is that Jesus is saying not concern ourselves with the CAUSE but rather with the CURE.

 

[Andrew]

Godson777

the basic teaching of that passage is that Jesus is saying not concern ourselves with the CAUSE but rather with the CURE.

Yes the Message Bible brings that out nicely:

3Jesus said, "You're asking the wrong question. You're looking for someone to blame. There is no such cause-effect here. Look instead for what God can do.

 

[godson777]

Thankyou all so much for your responses!

 

[victoryword]

Yes the Message Bible brings that out nicely:

3Jesus said, "You're asking the wrong question. You're looking for someone to blame. There is no such cause-effect here. Look instead for what God can do.

Yep, I like that. That's one way to remove the fatalistic interpretation from that verse.

I did a study of that verse several years ago and some of my research is in the article in the link below:

http://www.victoryword.100megspop2.com/glorify.html

I have since done more research on that passage and will probably revise the above article whenever I get around to it.

 

[From Glory to Glory]

Godson777

A number of Greek scholars and Bible commentators refute the idea that God was the one who made the man blind. I have some research on it and I will post it as soon as I get a chance. However, the structure of the Greek language according to a number of Greek scholars disallows God having to take the blame for the man's blindness. the basic teaching of that passage is that Jesus is saying not concern ourselves with the CAUSE but rather with the CURE.

I agree, victoryword. I too have done a study of the Greek on this verse and have come to the same conclusions as you.

 

[garymaxwell]

In Hebrew thought there was a close correlation between sin and sickness. That is why the disciples asked the question that they did.

But Jesus did correct their question by pointing to what the answer was.

Though I believe victoryword's approach to this verse, you could silence your critics by telling them that even if God made the person blind, it was His intent that He be glorified by the healing of the person. The critics can't have it both ways. God healed the person regardless of the cause and if they follow Jesus, then they would have to get healed too.

But I agree that it is mighty hard to approach God about healing if you think He is the one who made you sick to begin with...definite faith-killer. But tradition does that, you know.

 

[Shekatt]

Well, i have not studied the verses in question deeply...so i will give another outlook on the initial myths. I believe that we all reap what we sow. Take someone who drinks all of their life as a sinner, then coverts to Faith. Even though the actual sin of drinking is forgiven, there will be ill-effects from it (liver disease, etc..). Can God heal it? Yes, with faith.

Now for more in-depth on someone who was born blind (like in the scriptures used here). Sin and curses follow from generation to generation and can effect those even who had nothing to do with it. Take a child born out of wedlock, the act was a sin by the mother and father but carry over into the child. Did God make the people sin to sow the effects of such, no. Can they still be healed of their misguided childhood, yes.

Just my 2 cents worth,
Shekatt