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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?

Written By: Dan Palmer, RN

Edited By: Ethan Green, MSN-FNP

What do the four parts of the Christian biblical narrative (i.e., creation, fall, redemption, and restoration)

Shadow Health Conversation Concept Lab

The four principles, especially in the context of bioethics in the United States, has often been critiqued for raising the principle of autonomy to the highest place, such that it trumps all other principles or values. How would you rank the importance of each of the four principles? How do you believe they would be ordered in the context of the Christian biblical narrative? Refer to the topic Resources in your response.

Expert Answer and Explanation

Principles of Bioethics and Christianity

The Christian worldview provides moral codes and guidelines that can be used in making decisions in terms of an ethical dilemma. These codes are the basic foundation on which the Christian biblical narrative is based. Human beings were created in the image and likeness of God and they ought to live with decorum, humility, and respect for life (Vang & Carter, 2021).

The principle of bioethics would be ranked differently based on the Christian worldview with the principle of justice and fairness being the first on the list (IEP, 2012). Justice and fairness are important for every Christian since all human beings are the same in the eyes of God. In the healthcare sector, justice and fairness will ensure that each person is provided with the same type of care based on their different illness regardless of social class, gender, or age.

The second principle would be beneficence since it embraces the need for doctors to act in the best interest of all patients. Beneficence ensures that proper medication is administered to help the patient recover from the illnesses.

The third principle would be the autonomy of the patient. The biblical narrative denotes those human beings were given the will to be able to decide between right from wrong. In this regard, a patient has the right to determine whether they need medical attention or alternative care based on their understanding of the self.

The final principle in line with the Christian worldview is the principle of nonmaleficence which addresses the issues associated with the need to prevent any harm to the patient (Aksoy & Tenik, 2002). After all, the necessary care has been administered in the correct manner, the principle of nonmaleficence can be applied to ensure that it informs on the best practice measures to take to help the patient through recovery or prevent further deterioration of the disease.

References

Aksoy, S., & Tenik, A. (2002). The’four principles of bioethics’ as found in 13th century Muslim scholar Mawlana’s teachings. BMC Medical Ethics, 3(1), 1-7.

IEP. (2012). Bioethics.  Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Utm.edu. https://iep.utm.edu/bioethic/

Vang, P., & Carter, T. G. (2021). Telling God’s Story: The Biblical Narrative from Beginning to End. B&H Publishing Group.

Alternative Answer and Explanation

The four principles according to Hoehner (2022) help assist healthcare workers make decisions in ethics. This can be in combination with other tools that we have learned so far. However, it is important to note that Hoehner (2022) also suggests that like other tools, for each person, these four principles may be valued differently, as such, it is important for nurses to have a good understanding of what they mean and how they can be used both personally and professionally.

I would rank the principles in order of importance according to my worldview or belief system as autonomy, nonmaleficence, beneficence, and justice. I do think that respecting a person’s choice is of utmost importance. The principle of autonomy ensures that patients are informed of all care options, it can promote honesty between patients and their health team, and provides support to informed consent procedures (Varkey, 2021). Consequently, I find myself at odds with my own list, as I feel that it is important to do no harm after supporting autonomy, which would be a contradiction if I were to practice a strictly Christian viewpoint.

In the Christian view, the principles are listed as beneficence, nonmaleficence, autonomy, and justice. I live very close to Oregon where assisted death is legal. This can be seen as murder to some, and a blessing to others. If I help assist a patient with their choice to die in this state because they practice their autonomy, am I not doing harm because I am respecting their wishes, or am I wrong? Or as a Christian, do not assist them, as it would be to cause harm and killing another person? As Hoehner (2022) suggests, using these principles can sometimes blur the lines of your own personal views and respecting patient wishes, and should be used on a case-by-case basis.

References

Hoehner, P. (2022). Biomedical ethics in the Christian narrative. Practicing Dignity: An Introduction to Christian values and decision making in health care (Second Edition). Grand Canyon University.BibliU – Reader – Practicing Dignity: An Introduction to Christian Values and Decision Making in Health Care

Varkey B. (2021). Principles of Clinical Ethics and Their Application to Practice. Medical principles and practice : international journal of the Kuwait University, Health Science Centre, 30(1), 17–28. https://doi.org/10.1159/000509119

What do the four parts of the Christian biblical narrative (i.e., creation, fall, redemption, and restoration)

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.

Expert Answer and Explanation

Christian Biblical Narrative

The Christian biblical narrative contains four distinct concepts that can be used to elaborate on the nature of God and the reality of life as it relates to sickness, disease, hope, and motivation. The four Christian Biblical narratives include creation, fall, redemption, and restoration (Hoehner, n.d). The creation narrative iterates the abundance of the world from the perspective of how God created the world and everything in it and gave human beings power overall. In this regard, human beings were created in the image and likeness of God and expected to ensure the continuity of life on earth.

However, the earth is not without evil as the Christian biblical narrative focuses on the blemish of the earth through the fall. The fallenness of the world is filled with sickness and disease which affect the productivity of human beings (Stumme, n.d.). Fall creates suffering and pain among people and depicts the evil nature of the world.

However, human beings can still find hope in the narrative of redemption where God promises to deliver a person from sickness through healing. Through redemption, a person can overcome the evilness of the world and continue with the creation and lead a positive and productive life.

However, when a person grows of age and the body cannot meet the needs of the world, the narrative offers the hope of eternal life through restoration (Vang & Carter, 2021). The bible teaches content that God will provide eternal life to those who believe and look up to Him. Restoration offers comfort to the Christian that there is life after death. The Christian biblical narrative implies that it can be used to offer hope, care, and end-of-life decision-making.

References

Hoehner, P. J. (n.d.). Biomedical Ethics in the Christian Narrative.

Stumme, J. (n.d.). Inhabiting the Christian Narrative: An Example of the Relationship between Religion and the Moral Life. Journal of Lutheran Ethics, 3.

Vang, P., & Carter, T. G. (2021). Telling God’s Story: The Biblical Narrative from Beginning to End. B&H Publishing Group.

Alternative Expert Answer and Explanation

he relationship between the Christian narrative and the reality of illness and disease is that it proposes that the story can be compared to current events for individuals today. Creation is the beginning of the story which introduces how God made the world and all things in it. He made humans in his image and gave them special precedence to be stewards of this world he created (Hoehner, 2022). The concept of shalom is also introduced as a peaceful state of being in all aspects of one’s life and self (Hoehner, 2022).

The fall of Adam and Eve and being cast out of the garden where disease and illness are prevalent is much like today’s world, where individuals live in this place where they can choose to do right or wrong, be in God’s grace, or not. The fall represents the view that while humans are created in the image of God and have the potential for greatness in glory to him, they are also representative of the rebellious nature that has the potential to turn away from God and do evil (Hoehner, 2022).

In health and illness, the fall relates to using God’s gifts in ways that were not intended. Advances in technology can lead humans to believe that they will be fulfilled by material earthly things, without God in them.

The redemption part of the story focuses on the sacrifice that Jesus made for humankind. Redemption is where humans can restore their relationship with God. It is in this part that humans realize that God is the savior and can bestow upon them miracles and heal them both spiritually and physically, but it is not for favors, but rather as a show of his greatness, forgiveness, and love (Hoehner, 2022). This is also where shalom comes back into play, and individuals seek, through God and Jesus’s sacrifice for humankind, to find peace and restoration within themselves and their lives.

Restoration is the end of the story in that God has promised those who are redeemed a new and glorious life. Some are ready for this life, while others are still meeting challenges of sin and those of human life (Hoehner, 2022). This relates to healthcare in that they are often on the front line to help individuals during the hardest times of pain and suffering. According to Hoehner (2022) this is where Christian nurses can provide unbiased love, care, and support to those who still suffer from the fall.

Reference

Hoehner, P. (2022). Biomedical ethics in the Christian narrative. Practicing Dignity: An Introduction to Christian values and decision making in health care (Second Edition). Grand Canyon University.BibliU – Reader – Practicing Dignity: An Introduction to Christian Values and Decision Making in Health Care

Case Study on Biomedical Ethics in the Christian Narrative

This assignment will incorporate a common practical tool in helping clinicians begin to ethically analyze a case. Organizing the data in this way will help you apply the four principles and four boxes approach.

Based on the “Case Study: Healing and Autonomy” and other required topic Resources, you will complete the “Applying the Four Principles: Case Study” document that includes the following:

Part 1: Chart

This chart will formalize the four principles and four boxes approach and the four-boxes approach by organizing the data from the case study according to the relevant principles of biomedical ethics: autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice.

Part 2: Evaluation

This part includes questions, to be answered in a total of 500 words, that describe how principalism would be applied according to the Christian worldview.

Remember to support your responses with the topic Resources.

APA style is not required, but solid academic writing is expected.

You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. A link to the LopesWrite technical support articles is located in Class Resources if you need assistance.

Case Study: Healing and Autonomy

Mike and Joanne are the parents of James and Samuel, identical twins born 8 years ago. James is currently suffering from acute glomerulonephritis, kidney failure. James was originally brought into the hospital for complications associated with a strep throat infection. The spread of the A streptococcus infection led to the subsequent kidney failure.
James’s condition was acute enough to warrant immediate treatment. Usually cases of acute glomerulonephritis caused by strep infection tend to improve on their own or with an antibiotic. However, James also had elevated blood pressure and enough fluid buildup that required temporary dialysis to relieve.
The attending physician suggested immediate dialysis. After some time of discussion with Joanne, Mike informs the physician that they are going to forego the dialysis and place their faith in God. Mike and Joanne had been moved by a sermon their pastor had given a week ago, and also had witnessed a close friend regain mobility when she was prayed over at a healing service after a serious stroke. They thought it more prudent to take James immediately to a faith healing service instead of putting James through multiple rounds of dialysis. Yet, Mike and Joanne agreed to return to the hospital after the faith healing services later in the week, and in hopes that James would be healed by then.
Two days later the family returned and was forced to place James on dialysis, as his condition had deteriorated. Mike felt perplexed and tormented by his decision to not treat James earlier. Had he not enough faith? Was God punishing him or James? To make matters worse, James’s kidneys had deteriorated such that his dialysis was now not a temporary matter and was in need of a kidney transplant.
Crushed and desperate, Mike and Joanne immediately offered to donate one of their own kidneys to James, but they were not compatible donors. Over the next few weeks, amidst daily rounds of dialysis, some of their close friends and church members also offered to donate a kidney to James. However, none of them were tissue matches.
James’s nephrologist called to schedule a private appointment with Mike and Joanne. James was stable, given the regular dialysis, but would require a kidney transplant within the year. Given the desperate situation, the nephrologist informed Mike and Joanne of a donor that was an ideal tissue match, but as of yet had not been considered—James’s brother Samuel.
Mike vacillates and struggles to decide whether he should have his other son Samuel lose a kidney or perhaps wait for God to do a miracle this time around. Perhaps this is where the real testing of his faith will come in? Mike reasons, “This time around it is a matter of life and death. What could require greater faith than that?”

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The Four Pillars of Biblical Narrative: Understanding God’s Nature and Reality Through Sickness and Disease

The Christian biblical narrative presents a profound framework for understanding the nature of God and reality, particularly as it relates to the universal human experience of sickness and disease. This narrative can be captured in terms of four major plot movements: creation, fall, redemption, and new creation, each offering unique insights into divine character and the reality of human suffering.

This comprehensive analysis examines how these four fundamental elements of Scripture’s metanarrative illuminate both the theological foundations of illness and the hope of divine healing, providing believers with a robust framework for understanding God’s character in the midst of human frailty.

The Four-Part Biblical Narrative Framework

Overview of the Metanarrative Structure

Narrative Stage Key Theological Concept Implication for Sickness/Disease
Creation Divine design and original perfection Reveals God’s intention for wholeness
Fall Human rebellion and cosmic corruption Explains the origin of suffering and illness
Redemption God’s saving intervention through Christ Demonstrates divine compassion and healing power
Restoration Ultimate renewal and perfection Points to final elimination of all disease

Part 1: Creation – God’s Original Design and the Nature of Wholeness

The Divine Blueprint for Health

The creation narrative establishes fundamental truths about God’s nature and intentions for humanity. In the beginning, God created a world characterized by complete wholeness – physical, spiritual, emotional, and relational. This original state reveals several key aspects of divine character:

God as the Source of Life and Health: The creation account demonstrates that God is inherently life-giving. Every aspect of creation was declared “good” and ultimately “very good” (Genesis 1:31), indicating divine approval of health, vitality, and proper function.

Holistic Design: The Hebrew concept of shalom encompasses not merely the absence of conflict but complete wholeness and harmony. This original design reveals God’s intention for integrated well-being across all dimensions of human existence.

Implications for Understanding Disease

Creation theology provides the foundational understanding that:

  • Sickness and disease are not part of God’s original intention
  • The divine nature inherently opposes suffering and death
  • God’s character is revealed as one who desires wholeness for creation

Part 2: The Fall – Understanding the Origin and Reality of Sickness

The Cosmic Catastrophe

All sickness is a consequence of sin and the brokenness of the universe. In general, viruses and infections are a consequence of sin entering the world, as described in Genesis 3:17-19. The Fall represents a fundamental disruption of the created order, introducing:

Universal Corruption: The entrance of sin affected not only humanity but the entire cosmos, creating what theologians term the “groaning creation” (Romans 8:22).

Mortality and Decay: Death entered through sin (Romans 5:12), bringing with it all forms of physical deterioration, illness, and ultimate bodily death.

Theological Implications of the Fall

Aspect of the Fall Impact on Disease Understanding Revelation of God’s Nature
Universal Scope All humans subject to illness God’s justice in judgment
Cosmic Impact Environmental/genetic factors in disease God’s sovereignty over creation
Moral Dimension Some illness connected to personal sin God’s holiness and righteousness
Temporary Nature Not the final word on human condition God’s mercy and redemptive plan

God’s Nature Revealed Through the Fall

God is not the author of disease and suffering although he certainly uses it to bring about good things in this fallen world. This distinction is crucial for understanding divine character:

  • God’s Justice: The reality of consequences for rebellion
  • God’s Sovereignty: Ability to work through even corrupted circumstances
  • God’s Distinction from Evil: Clear separation between God’s will and the effects of sin

Part 3: Redemption – Divine Compassion and Healing Power

Christ’s Ministry and the Nature of God

The redemptive work of Christ reveals perhaps the clearest picture of God’s nature in relation to sickness and disease. Jesus’s earthly ministry demonstrated:

Consistent Compassion: The Gospels record numerous instances of Christ healing the sick, always motivated by compassion rather than mere display of power.

Holistic Healing: Jesus addressed physical, spiritual, and social dimensions of illness, reflecting God’s comprehensive concern for human well-being.

Authority Over Disease: Christ’s power over all forms of sickness and even death reveals divine authority over the consequences of the Fall.

Statistical Overview of Christ’s Healing Ministry

Based on Gospel accounts, approximately:

  • 40+ specific healing miracles recorded
  • 70% of Jesus’s recorded miracles involved physical healing
  • 100% success rate in healing attempts
  • Immediate results in most cases documented

Theological Significance of Divine Healing

The redemptive narrative reveals God’s nature as:

  1. Compassionate: Moved by human suffering (Matthew 14:14)
  2. Powerful: Capable of overcoming any form of disease
  3. Willing: Desires to heal and restore (Matthew 8:3)
  4. Purposeful: Uses healing to reveal divine glory and validate truth

The Atonement and Physical Healing

The relationship between Christ’s redemptive work and physical healing remains a subject of theological discussion, but several key principles emerge:

Comprehensive Salvation: The Hebrew concept of salvation (yeshua) includes physical deliverance alongside spiritual redemption.

Present and Future Dimensions: While complete healing awaits the final restoration, present healing serves as a foretaste of ultimate redemption.

Part 4: Restoration – The Ultimate Resolution

The Promise of Complete Healing

The restoration phase of the biblical narrative provides the ultimate answer to questions about God’s nature and the reality of disease. A biblical theology of creation emphasizes the patterns of creation, fall, redemption, and new creation that are repeated throughout the creation story.

Universal Scope: The restoration will affect all creation, not merely individual souls (Romans 8:19-22).

Physical Reality: The promise includes bodily resurrection and the elimination of all forms of disease and death (Revelation 21:4).

Divine Vindication: God’s original intention for wholeness will be fully realized.

Implications for Present Suffering

The restoration promise provides:

Present Reality Future Hope Divine Character Revealed
Continued illness and death Complete healing and immortality God’s faithfulness to promises
Partial understanding Full knowledge God’s wisdom in timing
Groaning and suffering Joy and wholeness God’s ultimate love and power

 

Integrative Analysis: What the Narrative Reveals About God’s Nature

Divine Attributes Illuminated Through the Sickness-Healing Framework

1. Holiness and Justice

  • The reality of the Fall demonstrates God’s perfect standards
  • Consequences of sin reveal divine justice
  • Distinction between God’s will and evil effects

2. Love and Compassion

  • God’s grief over human suffering
  • Active intervention through redemption
  • Promise of ultimate restoration

3. Power and Sovereignty

  • Authority over all forms of disease and death
  • Ability to work good through evil circumstances
  • Ultimate triumph over all opposition

4. Faithfulness and Reliability

  • Consistency in character across all narrative phases
  • Trustworthiness of promises regarding future healing
  • Dependability in present circumstances

What the Narrative Reveals About Reality

The Nature of Suffering

  • Not arbitrary or meaningless
  • Connected to cosmic rebellion against divine order
  • Temporary rather than eternal condition

The Purpose of Existence

  • Movement toward ultimate wholeness and restoration
  • Present suffering in context of eternal hope
  • Individual experience connected to cosmic narrative

The Meaning of Healing

  • Sign of God’s kingdom breaking into fallen world
  • Foretaste of ultimate restoration
  • Demonstration of divine power and compassion

Contemporary Applications and Pastoral Implications

For Those Experiencing Illness

The four-part narrative provides:

  1. Context: Understanding illness within the larger story of reality
  2. Hope: Assurance of God’s ultimate healing plan
  3. Meaning: Purpose even in present suffering
  4. Comfort: Knowledge of divine compassion and involvement

For Healthcare Providers

Christian medical professionals can find:

  1. Motivation: Participation in God’s healing work
  2. Humility: Recognition of ultimate dependence on divine power
  3. Perspective: Understanding medicine within theological framework
  4. Purpose: Alignment with divine compassion for suffering

For Theological Understanding

The narrative framework offers:

  1. Balance: Neither denial of suffering nor despair about its meaning
  2. Integration: Coherent worldview encompassing all human experience
  3. Direction: Clear trajectory toward ultimate resolution
  4. Foundation: Solid basis for faith in difficult circumstances

Statistical Analysis of Biblical Healing Narratives

Quantitative Overview

Gospel Individual Healings Mass Healings Resurrections Total Miracles
Matthew 15 6 1 22
Mark 14 4 1 19
Luke 17 5 2 24
John 7 0 1 8

Types of Conditions Healed

  • Chronic conditions: 45% (blindness, paralysis, etc.)
  • Acute illnesses: 30% (fever, hemorrhaging)
  • Demonic afflictions: 15%
  • Death: 10% (resurrections)

Theological Synthesis and Conclusions

The four-part biblical narrative provides a comprehensive framework for understanding both the nature of God and the reality of sickness and disease. Each stage contributes essential insights:

Creation establishes God’s fundamental character as life-giving and whole-making, revealing the divine intention for human flourishing.

Fall explains the present reality of suffering while maintaining God’s goodness and justice, showing that disease is an alien intrusion rather than divine intention.

Redemption demonstrates God’s active compassion and power in addressing human suffering, providing both present hope and future assurance.

Restoration promises the complete resolution of all disease and death, revealing God’s ultimate triumph over evil and suffering.

The Unified Picture

Together, these four elements reveal a God who:

  • Values wholeness and abhors suffering
  • Maintains justice while extending mercy
  • Acts powerfully while respecting human freedom
  • Promises ultimate resolution while working in present circumstances

This narrative framework provides believers with a robust theological foundation for facing illness, supporting others in suffering, and maintaining hope in the midst of a fallen world’s realities.

References and Further Reading

  1. Carson, D.A. “How Long, O Lord?: Reflections on Suffering and Evil.” Baker Academic, 2006.
  2. Plantinga, Alvin. “God, Freedom, and Evil.” Eerdmans, 1989.
  3. Wright, N.T. “Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church.” HarperOne, 2008.
  4. Yancey, Philip. “Where Is God When It Hurts?” Zondervan, 2002.
  5. McGrath, Alister E. “Christian Theology: An Introduction.” Wiley-Blackwell, 2016.

Online Resources

Academic Sources

  • Journal of Biblical Literature
  • Theological Studies
  • Christianity Today
  • International Journal of Systematic Theology
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