Introduction
Religion can support people suffering from illnesses; thus, in exploring the nature of God and perceptions of sickness in the Christian biblical narrative, people can find hope and comfort. However, not all parts of the Bible’s narrative directly connect to the themes of sickness and disease.
The Christian Biblical Narrative in Relation to the Nature of God and Disease
Creation and Fall
For example, the creation narrative predominantly explains that God once created everything on Earth. Furthermore, the following part of the narrative, commonly known as the Fall, centers on Adam and Eve’s exile from paradise. Death and disease appeared as punishment for people’s sins. For example, “painful labor” is a punishment for people’s disobedience (Holy Bible: New International Version, 2011, Genesis 3:16).
Understanding the first two parts of the Christian narrative can help patients who struggle to find the meaning behind their illness. Thus, the narrative explains that God is naturally benevolent, and diseases present a general punishment for humanity. Therefore, the illness cannot be acknowledged as an individual attempt of God to punish a person for their actions, which can reduce the pressure on the patient.
Redemption
Furthermore, the redemption part illustrates God’s willingness to forgive people their sins. In application to the reality of sickness, this part of the narrative can provide hope for patients who feel abandoned by God. Faith in salvation can also help reduce people’s suffering from illness.
Restoration
Lastly, the restoration part explains that people will have an opportunity to reunite with God in the afterlife in heaven, where there will be no sickness or death. This part of the narrative can provide hope for terminally ill patients by explaining that they will go to a better place where they will be reunited with their loved ones.
Conclusion
Therefore, understanding the Christian biblical narrative can support people by strengthening their faith in God’s wise and forgiving nature. The redemption and restoration parts specifically can provide comfort and hope to people suffering from diseases.
Reference
Holy Bible: New International Version. (2011). Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House.