Bob Johnson Supporter Layperson. Self Educated Theologically - see full bio

Paul said in 1 Corinthians 6: "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

There is nothing in the Bible against treating illness. In fact it would seem that if our body is a temple, bought with a price that we should do our utmost to take care of them. Many times we can do this through prayer and faith. Many other times we can do this because God has given us the ability to seek medical treatment. We all have different gifts and God has gifted people to be doctors for the care of His people.

Don't we treat a cold with a nasal spray, throat lozenge, or "steaming" in a hot shower? When we have the flu, do we not take our temperature, take an aspirin or Tylenol, or drink more fluids so we don't get dehydrated?

If you find early stage cancer there is a reason you did so. God has given you the opportunity to seek treatment early and so save you. That is a gift from Him. To not use that gift through the hands of people he has put on this earth to help us, would be to ignore God's way of helping us.

June 18 2019 • 2 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

I would find it difficult to generalize without knowing more about the individual's reasons for refusal of treatment. However, I think that it would be clear from a Biblical standpoint that an individual would not be justified in refusing such treatment (especially in the early stages of a condition where the treatment might have a higher likelihood of being successful) if the refusal arose from a belief that God would intervene to cure them. To me, such an action would amount to "putting God to the test" (Deuteronomy 6:16; Matthew 4:6-7).

In my view, it would also be contrary to a Christian's obligation of faithful stewardship of the life and body that had been given to him or her as a gift from God, as well as to expected use of the medical knowledge and skills that God had granted for the benefit of all humanity.

June 18 2019 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report