billy2000 Posted July 16, 2014 Share Posted July 16, 2014 (edited) I don't get why many Christians in America are so concerned about praying for the healing of their physical body when they get sick with some fatal illness like cancer. Another thing I notice that is inconsistent with their beliefs is if a doctor tells them that their days are numbered from terminal cancer they won't accept that diagnosis. They'll be desperately trying to get a healing miracle. Christians believe that there is a better world after this life called heaven. To me it would be inconsistent with their beliefs to even think about fighting for their temporal lives here if they came down with cancer. If anything to be consistent with their beliefs they should be thrilled if their days are numbered because that means they get to go to heaven that much sooner than they thought. Why would any Christian want to fight to stay on this earth with all its trials and tribulations longer than necessary? I am a Christian Universalist and I believe everybody goes to heaven after death. My actions are very consistent with my beliefs. If a doctor tells me tomorrow that I have a rare cancer that can't be cured and that my days are numbered I would be excited that I'm soon going to heaven and not having to worry much longer about the affairs of this life. I will not fight to extend my life. What happens to my physical body has nothing to do with me. Furthermore I do not have a wife and kids to think about so anyone who comes back and says I'm being selfish well being single makes my "selfishness" somewhat excusable because at least my unwillingness to fight will not be impacting a wife and kids since I have none. So therefore I have no other incentive to fight. I'm going to a better place. I guess I'm just surprised that for anyone to claim that they believe in a better life after this life is over to be so attached to this earthly life and be willing to fight for a miraculous cure of cancer and extend their time here. We all have to die anyway. It seems like the topic of death is something that even most Christians don't want to think about. They're no different than the world. I would expect worldly people to sweep the issue of death under the rug and pretend like it's not going to be something they will have to deal with. If a doctor told me my days are numbered and he saw a big smile on my face after he made that statement he would probably refer me to a mental health professional since he wouldn't understand where I'm coming from. He wouldn't understand that what he thinks is bad news for me is actually good news for me. Edited July 16, 2014 by billy2000 1 Link to post Share on other sites
M30USA Posted July 16, 2014 Share Posted July 16, 2014 (edited) You are correct. This is a legitimate inconsistency in Christian behavior. If we were all perfect, we would rejoice in all things including suffering and death, accepting that God's perfect will is being accomplished. However, we are not perfect. And, secondly, there is a natural biological mechanism in all living things to preserve their own lives. I'm assuming this would mean health as well. Otherwise we wouldn't even eat food, correct? On one hand we have this natural instinct to preserve our lives, but on the other hand as a Christian matures and walks in the Spirit, they should care less and less about preserving their own lives. This is hard to do and requires the help of the Holy Spirit. I also believe God understands how incredibly weak human beings are and he won't overload us with more than we can handle. This is why he allows certain comforts in the flesh. But in his wisdom I believe he gradually tapers this off. My theory is that this is why death is often gradual. He patiently gives us time to surrender our lives to the way of the Holy Spirit. Edited July 16, 2014 by M30USA Link to post Share on other sites
M30USA Posted July 16, 2014 Share Posted July 16, 2014 I am a Christian Universalist and I believe everybody goes to heaven after death. I strongly urge you to reconsider your views. This is dangerous. If you believe the Bible, you have no choice but to believe in hell. People might claim the Bible says otherwise, but it's clear as day. If you'd like to discuss this further, I will show you with 100% certainty what the Bible says about this. Link to post Share on other sites
Author billy2000 Posted July 16, 2014 Author Share Posted July 16, 2014 As far as eating is concerned not everyone eats in order to live. Some of us eat because we enjoy the taste of certain foods. So even without the survival instinct some of us would still eat just for taste pleasure. Adam and Eve had food in the Garden of Eden before sin entered in and they were not dependent on it for their survival. Jesus ate with the disciples after His resurrection. Did He need food to live in His resurrected body? No. He already had immortality. Survival is not the only reason people eat. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
M30USA Posted July 16, 2014 Share Posted July 16, 2014 As far as eating is concerned not everyone eats in order to live. Some of us eat because we enjoy the taste of certain foods. So even without the survival instinct some of us would still eat just for taste pleasure. Adam and Eve had food in the Garden of Eden before sin entered in and they were not dependent on it for their survival. Jesus ate with the disciples after His resurrection. Did He need food to live in His resurrected body? No. He already had immortality. Survival is not the only reason people eat. Good points. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
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