Viewing Sickness Biblically: Making Sense of Seemingly Senseless Sickness

What if nearly everything you think you know about sickness is wrong?

Much of our understanding of sickness has been shaped by our self-obsessed Western culture. We see it as an enemy to be avoided or as a punishment meted out by an angry or indifferent God. We are told God has promised us lives free from disease and suffering, and when it seems those promises fail, we are left wondering how a God of love could be glorified in our own illness or in the sickness of someone we love.

In Viewing Sickness Biblically, Joseph Whiting draws from the wellspring of Scripture, seasoned with personal experience, to address these questions every Christian must grapple with and help show the path to a more biblical understanding of the cause, purpose, and benefits of sickness.

Through what lens ought we see sickness, death, and the God who is in charge of it all?

The correct answer is sure to bring much glory to God and comfort to our souls.

Christian hope encompasses that future day when sickness and suffering will be no more because the curse and presence of sin—which Christ bore for us—will be no more (Matt. 8:14–17; Isa. 53:4; Gal. 3:13), for “the first things have passed away” (Rev. 21:4). This day is coming but is not yet here; it is the day we long for when we will know the fullness of salvation in Christ. Until that day, sin, suffering, and sickness are both a part of a groaning creation (Rom. 8:19–25) and a means through which God works His sanctifying grace, molding us into the image of Christ (Rom. 5:1–5; James 1:2–4).

Joe Whiting has written a book, Viewing Sickness Biblically, that helps us to embrace God’s will in sickness and to grow in faith and love for Christ. It is a book that gives us hope and encourages us to see the goodness of God and the wonder of grace more fully through suffering, as well as help with the specifics of how to get there. Viewing Sickness Biblically is a book written by one who has tasted the kindness of God in Jesus, lived the truths and principles he writes about, and set an example, in his own life, of following Christ, for us to walk behind (1 Cor. 11:1).

– Joey Newton, Pastor of Newtown Bible Church, Newtown, CT; MDiv, The Master’s Seminary; PhD, Southern Seminary

The current culture seems to think that you have to have experience with an issue before you can even speak about the issue. If you share that perspective, this book is for you because Joe Whiting has experienced suffering. But more important than Joe’s experience with suffering is Joe’s theology of suffering drawn directly from Scripture. There is great benefit in being taught by someone who has suffered. There is greater benefit being taught by someone who believes in the inerrancy and sufficiency of Scripture to help those who suffer.

– Bud Moss, Pastor, MDiv, The Master’s Seminary, Pine Grove Baptist Church, Leesville, SC

128 pages.