Christ the Healer: An Analysis (part 14)

A study of the book, Christ the Healer, by F. F. Bosworth:

• Part 1 (Introduction)
• Part 2 (Interpreting the Scriptures)
• Part 3 (Where Sickness Comes From)
• Part 4 (Healing and the Will of God 1)
• Part 5 (Healing and the Will of God 2)
• Part 6 (Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh)
• Part 7 (Healing and the Atonement 1)
• Part 8 (Healing and the Atonement 2)
• Part 9 (Healing in the Present Age 1)
• Part 10 (Healing in the Present Age 2)
• Part 11 (Healing in the Present Age 3)
• Part 12 (God’s Purpose in Suffering 1)
• Part 13 (God’s Purpose in Suffering 2)

Summary and Concluding Thoughts

Let us briefly retrace the steps we have come by, to our conclusion. In the development of any statement of doctrine, Interpreting the Scriptures must be a major concern. Mr. Bosworth lets us down, time and again, in this area.

Too many times we are asked to read into passages things that are far from the sacred writer’s intention. And frequently Bosworth tries to create his own “context” for verses and parts of verses, by grouping together things that are not remotely connected. It is possible to prove almost anything in this way, as the cults have shown over the years. But it is not responsible or honest to take our own meanings to the Word of God, making it say what will satisfy our own conclusions.

Then, in Where Sickness Comes From, Bosworth blames sin and Satan. They are certainly involved, at some points. But his system is far too simplistic. And he does not have an adequate understanding of the original curse upon creation, and its far-reaching effects.

His view of bodily healing is absolute. For him, Healing and the Will of God (part 1, part 2) can be summarized with the simple concept that God is ready and willing to heal us of every sickness now. If we are not well it is not the Lord’s fault, it is ours. But the healing of “all” at particular times in Bible history in no way guarantees that that is God’s plan for all time in every circumstance. There is ample evidence to suggest that it is not. “In everything give thanks; this is the will of God” (I Thess. 5:18).

Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh relates to Bosworth’s explanation of what Paul records in II Cor. 12. He must rule out continuing illness for the Apostle. And he does some strange interpretive gymnastics to do so. We do not know what ailed Paul. But that it was an ongoing physical malady is a reasonable possibility. To deny it as a possibility, one must ignore the consensus of scholarship and even a common sense reading of the text.

It is a major contention of those who believe in faith healing that healing is insured by the atonement. I would agree, if we mean ultimately, in the new creation. But they mean immediately, by faith – just as we appeal to God for salvation. Healing and the Atonement (part 1, part 2) attempts to set the record straight and to see this teaching in the light of the total revelation of God’s Word.

If the latter point of view, offered in the section on atonement, is correct, what does that say of the possibility of healing in our day? That is the theme of Healing in the Present Age (part 1, part 2, part 3). Five means of healing are suggested, including the supernatural. That can be considered along with the possible explanations, when miraculous healings are claimed. God does heal, in many ways. But He has not guaranteed the Christian perfect health this side of eternity.

In God’s Purpose in Suffering (part 1, part 2) I have tried to suggest some of the reasons why a wise and loving God might allow His children to experience trials of various kinds. A positive, submissive and trusting attitude toward what He is doing bears great dividends. We do not always know His plan. But we can cling to Him with confidence. He never makes a mistake.

And let me leave the last word to F. F. Bosworth. Taking one comment slightly out of context, we have a conclusion that is worthy of any Christian.

The first thing to learn is to cease to be anxious about the condition of the body; because you have commited it to the Lord and He has taken the responsibility of your healing [we might add, “one way or the other”]. You are to be happy and restful in the matter because you know from His Word that He takes the responsability of every case committed to Him.

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