christ-on-a-stick

In my experience, many Christians claim that physical diseases and ailments, including disabilities, are a result of "The Fall" and/or the imperfect world brought about by human sin.

However, in Exodus 4:11, God says that *he* is the cause of disabilities such as blindness and deafness:

Exodus 4:11 - And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD?

I am interested in seeing how theists (who believe disease/disability to be the result of sin) explain this clear contradiction.

Sabine Grant

Bonjour Christ on a Stick... I am not a christian who attributes physical illness or disabilities to sin so my reply may not be what you are hoping to recieve. What I do attribute to God though is how He will equip and provide means for a believer to deal better with those disabilities and illnesses. By faith of course. But that is another topic and I do not want to derail your thread.
I think a christian who is an OT apologist may be able to answer that dilemna. I have never believed in attributing physical disabilities to the " fall of creation". I have a more simplistic belief that since we are matter, we will be affected by what affects matter. The difference though is that our minds ( compared to animals) have the ability to find the motivation to influence how our matter will respond to natural agressions.
Have a nice day. Vero.

Opera Nut

If it wasn't for modern doctors and surgery and drugs, I would be dead for at least three reasons. Awful high price to pay for sin, since I don't believe in gawd anyhoooo!

Sabine Grant

Bonjour Opera Nut... from the christian perspective, your experience would be translated as such " I am grateful to God for enabling those doctors with the knowledge to treat my illnesses and prescribe the right medication". Just another way to overcome it all.

cydonia

I feel bad for these doctors, they never get any credit for years of study and practice that made them legitimate healers. Have to thank God for allowing them to get into medical school. Just seems a little unfair to the doctors. Back to the main topic!

Sabine Grant

Maybe then you could comment on my first post which deals with the topic at hand rather than seek to focus on the alternative I presented where people find means to overcome whichever they need to.

Paperstreet

One of the most selfish things I have heard is, "Our child was born mentally retarded to punish us, the parents". How fucking selfish is that? :banghead:

cydonia

I just think doctors get no credit, God does. I think that is bad.

"What I do attribute to God though is how He will equip and provide means for a believer to deal better with those disabilities and illnesses. By faith of course. But that is another topic and I do not want to derail your thread. "

I guess my comment about that part of your first post would be, "Too bad God plays favorites when it comes to treating illnesses he allowed to be created, either through intent or allowing the matter he created to harm others without stepping in to do something about it".

christ-on-a-stick

Hmmm... on one hand, I'm kinda surprised that none of our resident theists (of the less liberal stripe) haven't popped in on this one, but on the other hand I guess it shouldn't since I can't think of what possible explanation can be given to reconcile this contradiction.

Anyone? Anyone?

Sabine Grant

I agree... I have known parents of Down Syndrom children who did not consider their child as a " curse". As matter of fact I cannot think of any of the friends I have who have a mentaly handicapped child who percieve that as a punishment. In what circumstances Paperstreet did you hear that said? just curious...