Survey of Doctrine: Topic: Sin/degeneration

Topic: Sin/degeneration

Introduction: The main thrust of the discussion on sin in this doctrine is the fact there is not necessarily a one-to-one relationship between sickness and sin. Sickness can be caused by a number of different things. Generally the greatest causes are:

                                                                           1] a polluted environment [air, water, food, earth].
                                                                           2] our disregard for obvious physical principles of health [nutrition, sleep, exercise].
                                                                           3] inherited illnesses and diseases.
                                                                           4] injury and accident.

The act of healing takes place when we are made whole from the result of these above-listed factors. If and when sin is involved and as a separate act that is in addition to the miracle of healing, we are forgiven our sins. It is not always possible to determine if a current illness is the result of sin.

Source of healing	Faith	God vs. Medical science	Jesus	Member responsibility
Godly purpose	Bible	Effect of healings	Meaning of word	Medical science
God's promise	Sin/degeneration	Cause of sickness	Gospel	Salvation
Resurrection	Healing symbolism	Disciples-1st century	Healings today	Righteousness
Ministry	Right attitude	Wrong attitude	Healing	Doctrine Summary

Key Statement/Teaching	Paragraph
Rather than healing being the forgiveness of sin, Jesus used His power to heal in order to prove that He also had the power to forgive sin.	62
The miracle of healing physically represented a restorative process in which something unclean and broken was supernaturally made clean and whole.	62
Mankind has so polluted the environment and human beings so often ignore the basic rudiments of health that imbalances occur, with sickness and disease the natural result.	37
To the degree that a person disregards the obvious physical principles of health, such as proper nutrition, adequate sleep and rest, a positive mental outlook, etc., is generally the degree to which one suffers ill health.	38
Sickness is the general result of violating the principles of health, or perhaps the direct result of a person's own sin (Matthew. 9:1-7; June 5:14). At other times, sin is not involved; and the illness or infirmity is inherited (John 9:2) or the result of injury or accident (Luke 13:1-5).	43
Whenever sin is involved, healing includes the forgiveness of that sin (Matthew 9:1-7).	44
Not all illness is the result of sin.	46
The Bible nowhere speaks of "physical sin."	48
The biblical subject of sin comes under ethical, moral or mental categories—and are all, therefore, spiritual in nature.	48
It is not always possible, of course, to discern when illness or injury is the result of sin.	49
To be sick, therefore, is not necessarily to have sinned. Sickness is sometimes the result of sin and healing sometimes includes the forgiveness of sin.	50
Jesus' healing demonstrated to the world was His power to forgive sin, and, ultimately, to resurrect the body from the dead.	60

Conclusion: Key points:

Mankind has polluted the planet in its soil, water, air and food. Sickness is a result.

	Not all sickness is the result of sin.
	It is not always easy to determine if a current sickness is the result of sin.
	If and when sin is involved and as a separate act that is in addition to the miracle of healing, we are forgiven our sins.
	The Bible no where speaks of physical sin. Sin comes under ethical, moral or mental categories.
	Jesus' healing demonstrated to the world was His power to forgive sin, and, ultimately, to resurrect the body from the dead.

Disclaimer