Word of Faith and Healing: A Question On Steve's Teaching

[John]

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.

[steve]

My understanding is that (as per Matthew), Isaiah 53:4 is talking about the healing of physical illnesses, which took place during Jesus' active ministry on earth, and continues (whenever He wishes) into the present age, through gifted agents. It is not this verse, but the following one that I believe must be applied to spiritual restoration, rather than physical healing (as per 1 Peter).

I think that the miracles Jesus performed upon the physically sick were intended to be visual aids for teaching about the spiritual nature of His mission (see, for example, Luke 5:23-24). This is in keeping with the oft-observed correspondence of the miracles related in John's gospel to the specific lessons Jesus taught from them, e.g.,:

Water turned to wine — "I am the True Vine"
Multitude fed — "I am the Bread of Life"
Blind man healed — "I am the Light of the World"
Lazarus raised — "I am the Resurrection and the Life"

Though the correspondence is not usually spelled out for us in the synoptics, I believe that they are intended in the miracles recorded there as well. The cursing of the fig tree, for example, is never explained, but most scholars would agree that it was an acted parable about Israel. I believe that the miracles of healing and exorcism also are instances in the micro of larger spiritual accomplishments in the spiritual realm (consider the application that Jesus makes comparing exorcism (Matt.12:28) and Israel's condition (Matt.12:43-45).

Judging from the New Testament quotations of Isaiah 53:4-5, I have to conclude that verse 4 addresses the physical healing ministry of Jesus, while verse 5 describes the spiritual healing to which the physical healings point.

[steve7150]

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.
John








It also may be that spiritual healing and physical healing are wrapped together with perhaps spiritual healing necessary first and if that type of healing is effective then physical healing is possible. That could be why physical healing is possible but not guarenteed in the atonement.

[John]

Thanks for the replies. I missed the distinction between verse 4 and 5 in Isaiah 53. I thought that they were both referring to spiritual healing alone. This really clears things up for me.