What do the four parts of the Christian biblical narrative (i.e., creation, fall, redemption, and restoration) say about the nature of God and of reality in relation to the reality of sickness and disease? From where would one find comfort and hope in the light of illness according to this narrative? Explain in detail each part of the narrative above and analyze the implications.
ANSWER
The four parts of the Christian biblical narrative (creation, fall, redemption, and restoration) say the following about the nature of God and of reality in relation to the reality of sickness and disease:
**Creation**
In the creation narrative, we see that God created the world as good and perfect (Genesis 1:31). This means that sickness and disease were not part of God’s original plan for creation.
**Fall**
When Adam and Eve sinned, they disobeyed God and brought sin and death into the world (Genesis 3). As a result of sin, all of creation, including human beings, is now subject to suffering and death.
**Redemption**
In the redemption narrative, we see that God sent his son Jesus to die on the cross to pay the penalty for our sin and to give us new life (John 3:16). This means that Jesus took on our sickness and disease so that we can be healed.
**Restoration**
In the restoration narrative, we see that God will one day create a new heaven and a new earth where there will be no more sickness, disease, or death (Revelation 21:4). This means that there is hope for all of us, even in the midst of suffering.
**Implications**
The Christian biblical narrative teaches us that sickness and disease are not God’s will for us. However, it also teaches us that God is with us in our suffering and that he offers us hope for the future.
**Where to find comfort and hope in the light of illness**
According to the Christian biblical narrative, there are a number of places where we can find comfort and hope in the light of illness:
* **In the knowledge that God is with us in our suffering.** The Bible tells us that God is “close to the brokenhearted” (Psalm 34:18). This means that he understands our pain and that he is there to comfort us.
* **In the hope of eternal life.** The Bible tells us that Jesus died on the cross to give us new life and that he will one day create a new heaven and a new earth where there will be no more sickness, disease, or death. This hope can give us strength to endure our suffering in the present.
* **In the community of faith.** The Bible tells us that we are not alone in our suffering. We have a community of believers who can support us and pray for us during difficult times.
In addition to these places, we can also find comfort and hope in the following ways:
* **In the love and support of our family and friends.** Our loved ones can provide us with emotional and practical support during our illness.
* **In the medical care that we receive.** Doctors and nurses can help us to manage our symptoms and to treat our illness.
* **In our own faith and resilience.** We can find strength and hope in our own faith and in our ability to cope with difficult situations.
It is important to remember that we are not alone in our suffering. God is with us, and he offers us comfort and hope.
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