Did Jesus misunderstand illness?

[brb3]

In the gospels, Jesus performs various exorcisms including one on someone who is “demon possessed”. He casts out the demons from the man into a herd of pigs, and sends the pigs over a cliff.

As I understand it, Jesus seemed to believe that people suffered illness (mental and physical) because they were possessed by devils or demons. He acted as an exorcist to expel these demons from the victim and thereby cure them.

Do you think Jesus was mistaken in these beliefs? Did he misunderstand the reasons for illness?

No…

JESUS knows everything about us. Our thoughts and our end. And, Christ revealed to Paul that " many were sick ( both physical & mental ), due to lack of receipt of Eucharist (in way it was intended for us ).

 

[brb3]

But isnt “casting out devils” a 1st century misconception?

We now know people suffer diseases due to the infection of viruses, and that mentally illness is a treatable disorder, and not due to devils.

Schizophrenia is one strange illness. Some of those folks are clearly possessed/distraught/afflicted by paranoid ideation, delusional, violent, etc. Some of them commit horrendous acts against society. Many of them testify to the voices they hear, telling them to harm both themselves & others.

Clearly some of those in whom Jesus ‘permanently’ cast out demons, had schizophrenia.
Demon possession is real my friend !!

 

[brb3]

So Jesus / God sends devils from one human being into a herd of pigs and drowns them. Does this make any sense to you?

Yes. Unless the people in that day saw those swine go crazy & commit suicide…would they of been convinced the spirits were cast out, or only silenced ?

 

[brb3]

Pigs are intelligent animals. I think its a shame they had to sacrifice themselves.

Exactly, no pig or herd of them would rush over cliff …unless Forced To by Demons.
So, blame Satan & his bad angels for this crime against both man and beast ! Christ did an admirable sign here. Releasing a demoniac from his great illness, & showing us his supernatural power and control of satan & evil.

 

[brb3]

Hmm. I do have to question why the new testament is written as you would expect from uneducated fishermen from the first century.

If God had actually inspired the writing of the Bible why are they not able to explain the diagnosis and treatment of disease and mental illness in a modern way.

The methods used by Jesus do look on the surface like mystic powers and faith healing. I wonder if it shows a basic misunderstanding of the cause of illness and how to cure diseases?

Jesus, the Christ, the LOGOS …misunderstands illness?

OMNIPRESENT, OMNIPOTENT, OMNISCIENCE …what does omniscience mean my friend?

 

[Reepicheep]

He could have given a sign as to whether an illness is caused by possession or regular everyday Fall-manifested germs/viruses. Since there seems to be a distinction between the two, knowing whether to call an exorcist or a doctor would be helpful.

Why do you need a doctor if Christ has already healed you?
Why do you need an exorcist if Christ has already driven out the demon?
“Exorcist or physician?” may be a relevant question when the patient is still sick; but we’re talking about people that Christ had already healed.

 

[Reepicheep]

(Snipped)
Scripture was written for the sake of salvation.

We have to read Scripture like a Jew.

Again, scripture isn’t a commentary on the first century Jewish understanding of medical science. Scripture was written for the sake of our salvation and no other reason, and looking at Scripture through the eyes of a first century Jew helps us understand it much better.
-Tim-

Thank you for that insight, and God bless you.

 

[bogeydogg]

In the gospels, Jesus performs various exorcisms including one on someone who is “demon possessed”. He casts out the demons from the man into a herd of pigs, and sends the pigs over a cliff.

As I understand it, Jesus seemed to believe that people suffered illness (mental and physical) because they were possessed by devils or demons. He acted as an exorcist to expel these demons from the victim and thereby cure them.

Do you think Jesus was mistaken in these beliefs? Did he misunderstand the reasons for illness?

Actually there are many times when Jesus just heals illness as illness and sometimes He heals it as being caused by demons. Jesus Himself distinguishes between the two.

God Bless