tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825243.post114288110892298276..comments2024-01-06T07:53:11.832-08:00Comments on disabled Christianity: Proverbs and JeremiahJeff McNairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10029386598033932429noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825243.post-1143487465445434022006-03-27T11:24:00.000-08:002006-03-27T11:24:00.000-08:00Hi anonymous. I agree with most of your post. I t...Hi anonymous. I agree with most of your post. I think youare approaching a place where understanding the place of the disabled in teh church and the world but I wonder what di you make of the children that are born that are blind, deaf, deformed and die in agony after many heartwrenching days of screaming and cying? This too is a reality for some parents in this world.<BR/>When our son was diagnosed with Fragile X my wife and I joined a support group and I can tell you it isn't always easy to see the good that you speak of. <BR/>Also what do we need to say to parents like me whose child has no language, is a perpetual toddler, is not continent, lashes out without rhyme or reason and has no place in any churh anywhere, not even in a segragated friendship club?Impossibleapehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11423495309073520479noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825243.post-1143438522627905112006-03-26T21:48:00.000-08:002006-03-26T21:48:00.000-08:00Professor McNair,I definitely think you are on to ...Professor McNair,<BR/>I definitely think you are on to something here. I am a firm believer in the sovereignty of God. I believe it is clear in the Word that nothing happens aside from His purpose. We read in the Proverbs that "The king's heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord; He turns it wherever He wishes" (Proverbs 21: 1-2). If then, the Lord is sovereign over the hearts and workings of the most powerful people in the world, we can certainly be confident to know that He is sovereign over all else, including the birth of babies with disabilities. In fact, in the Psalms we read that God creates babies, "weaving them together in the depths." King David speaks explicitly of God's sovereignty in creating human beings in Psalms chapter 139. If God "skillfully wrought [David] in the depths of the earth;" and saw his "unformed substance" then the same is to be applied to all men, for all men are created by God and created in His image.<BR/>Moreover, as believers, not only is God sovereign, but we trust that all things come to us as good gifts from Him. Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." And, in addition, in James 1:17, we read "Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow."<BR/>Perhaps it seems basic to restate these fundamental Christian doctrinal truths. However, as much as we "know" them, often Christians find it difficult to put these truths and promises of God into practice. If we truly believe that God only gives us what is good (for we are His children and Fathers provide what is good for their children), and because He is a faithful, good God, then when a child with disabilities is born in the Church, that baby should be seen as a gift from God. It does not escape His notice or deviate from His plan that it has some sort of a disability. Remember, God is both sovereign and good. If a child is born with a disability, it is because God intended it so. I realize this may seem heretical to some, because we know that God is not the author of evil. I am not saying He is. Disabilities are not "evil". If the Lord tells us He gives His people only what is best for them, and He gives some of His children babies with disabilities, then it ought to be our joyful, obedient reponse to embrace that baby and that family and help them to see God's purpose and design in giving them an extra special child to love and teach and grow to know the Lord.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com