Word of Faith and Healing: A Question On Steve's Teaching
Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2009 12:53 pm
I have been listening to Steve's teaching on the "Word of Faith" doctrine and the specific topic of healing in the atonement. Allow me to sum up the highlights of his teaching, as I understand it, to provide some context for my question:
We begin with Isaiah 53:4-5 (NKJV)
4 Surely He has borne our griefs
And carried our sorrows;
Yet we esteemed Him stricken,
Smitten by God, and afflicted.
5 But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed.
The word "griefs" in verse four is sometimes footnoted with the word sicknesses. Those who hold to the "Word of Faith" say that this verse shows that Jesus Christ bore our sicknesses as well as our sins. Steve did a wonderful job with two main responses in his teaching:
1. The prophets often use the imagery or language of physical sickness to represent the spiritual state of people. Steve gives many, many examples of verses showing this. For example, see Isaiah 1:5-6 (NKJV, emphasis in bold mine):
5 Why should you be stricken again?
You will revolt more and more.
The whole head is sick,
And the whole heart faints.
6 From the sole of the foot even to the head,
There is no soundness in it,
But wounds and bruises and putrefying sores;
They have not been closed or bound up,
Or soothed with ointment.
2. Steve's second main argument is that the apostles provide inspired insight to old testament texts, which obviously includes this one. When we look at how Isaiah 53:4-5 is quoted or paraphrased in the new testament, we find that the context is spiritual in nature and says nothing about physical healing. For example, 1 Peter 2:24-25 (NKJV)
4 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
This is the main context for my question, which is summarized below.
So, in my opinion, Steve has done great job showing that the context of Isaiah 45:4-5 is spiritual in nature regarding our sins. However, earlier in Steve's recorded teaching he also refers to Matthew 8:16-17 where this verse is also quoted.
16 When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick, 17 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying:
“ He Himself took our infirmities
And bore our sicknesses."
Steve explains that this verse does not prove that sicknesses were paid for on the cross, because the events captured in Matthew 8:16 happened long before Jesus was crucified, and yet this verse is said to fulfill Isaiah 53. Steve then mentions that it is the healing ministry of Jesus, before his crucifixion, that fulfills Isaiah 53. Once again, a logical explanation.
So, Finally, to my question:
If the context of Isaiah 53 is spiritual in nature, how then does it seem to have a physical fulfillment that is referenced in Matthew? I am sure someone has a good answer. Thanks for your help.
We begin with Isaiah 53:4-5 (NKJV)
4 Surely He has borne our griefs
And carried our sorrows;
Yet we esteemed Him stricken,
Smitten by God, and afflicted.
5 But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed.
The word "griefs" in verse four is sometimes footnoted with the word sicknesses. Those who hold to the "Word of Faith" say that this verse shows that Jesus Christ bore our sicknesses as well as our sins. Steve did a wonderful job with two main responses in his teaching:
1. The prophets often use the imagery or language of physical sickness to represent the spiritual state of people. Steve gives many, many examples of verses showing this. For example, see Isaiah 1:5-6 (NKJV, emphasis in bold mine):
5 Why should you be stricken again?
You will revolt more and more.
The whole head is sick,
And the whole heart faints.
6 From the sole of the foot even to the head,
There is no soundness in it,
But wounds and bruises and putrefying sores;
They have not been closed or bound up,
Or soothed with ointment.
2. Steve's second main argument is that the apostles provide inspired insight to old testament texts, which obviously includes this one. When we look at how Isaiah 53:4-5 is quoted or paraphrased in the new testament, we find that the context is spiritual in nature and says nothing about physical healing. For example, 1 Peter 2:24-25 (NKJV)
4 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
This is the main context for my question, which is summarized below.
So, in my opinion, Steve has done great job showing that the context of Isaiah 45:4-5 is spiritual in nature regarding our sins. However, earlier in Steve's recorded teaching he also refers to Matthew 8:16-17 where this verse is also quoted.
16 When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick, 17 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying:
“ He Himself took our infirmities
And bore our sicknesses."
Steve explains that this verse does not prove that sicknesses were paid for on the cross, because the events captured in Matthew 8:16 happened long before Jesus was crucified, and yet this verse is said to fulfill Isaiah 53. Steve then mentions that it is the healing ministry of Jesus, before his crucifixion, that fulfills Isaiah 53. Once again, a logical explanation.
So, Finally, to my question:
If the context of Isaiah 53 is spiritual in nature, how then does it seem to have a physical fulfillment that is referenced in Matthew? I am sure someone has a good answer. Thanks for your help.