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Christians believe that God answers prayers and does miraculous healings...but why does he never ever heal an amputee?

I know this feels like a gotcha question and maybe on some level it is but mainly i'm just really curious about what Christians think the answer is.
I recently watched a video where this question was addressed by a panel of Christians and i was eager to finally hear some theological explanation for this problematic oversight....i was disappointed.
The completely failed to answer the question and pretended the question was more like "why doesn't god heal everyone all the time"

God seems to heal mental illness or diseases like cancer which are known to go into spontaneous remission and help people find their keys or get needed money from unexpected sources...but never grows so much as a finger back.

So, Christians....why has God never healed a single amputee?

P.s In case anyone is interested in hearing the apologist's answers for themselves:
[media=https://youtu.be/8k2Su9ftma4]
DocSavage · M
Here’s to the Human spirit and invention
DocSavage · M
@RocktheHouse
Not true. Take the air plane. Made using the resources at hand for a function that even god couldn’t have dreamed of. ( he had to give angels actual wings )

P.S. if god also created gravity. Then human’s defied his plan .
DocSavage · M
@RocktheHouse

You think this is how life really began ?
DocSavage · M
@RocktheHouse
The reason humans use what is already here, is because there is no such thing as magic. The power to create things out of nothing, by just speaking it into existence is pure fantasy. Get the idea ?
SW-User
Hahahaha seems illogical to think that just cause someone is Christian will believe that a new leg would grow up or something.
🙃 🙃 🙃 🙃
Miracles are often seem with other kind of illnesses, ofc having faith doesn't mean someone will heal, some seem to do it , but maybe they'll have more inner strength, but yeah i guess some see good as a kind of magical thing
@SW-User

lol Simple replies indeed. That's the problem with your replies, Gaiia: they're simple replies and not thoughtful ones 😉
Hand waving away the problem with "because" just doesn't cut it with me. Sorry if the bar is too high for you.
DocSavage · M
@SW-User
Actually, we do. I’ve just been told that humans don’t create anything. They only figure out how to put what god made for us on day one. They insist god created the universe and life out of nothing , and yet god can’t make a new arm or leg to repair a broken “creation” despite all his powers ?
DocSavage · M
@SW-User
Necessity is the mother of invention
You seem to think, that when faced with a need, humans can’t rise to the occasion on their own, without god. History tells a different story. You give god far too much credit.
SW-User
Don't test the Lord your God. Right? Don't jump off a mountain and expect to make you fly to safety. Is it impossible for God to do? No but if he wanted man to fly He would have made it so and if man was made to regrow limbs He would have made it so.
@SW-User

A severed limb can be reattached or "make whole"

Yup. I'd certainly consider that to meet the "make whole" aspect of healing.
But that doesn't exclude a miraculous regrowth from that definition of healing.

Thanks for the laugh but you yourself have agreed with me:

...yes, we agree that it wouldn't be natural. But you already conceded in the Lazaraus example that natural isn't a prerequisite if god wills it so.

Yes it is as it pertains to a severed limb unless you want to claim that that definition should also apply to a severed head.

Which part of the definition of healing would you cite which excludes the regrowth of a limb? Or even a head?
Again, you seem to be making the argument that if it cannot heal naturally then it can't be considered healing. Is that accurate? If so, can you explain your reasoning?
SW-User
@Pikachu
you seem to be making the argument that if it cannot heal naturally then it can't be considered healing.

Not that it cannot be considered healing but outside of the realms of reality. And again, yes Lazarus waking from the dead isn't natural but it is scriptural. It's not that it's impossible for God to do So then what you are doing is questioning the will of God. Why he does things this way but not that way, which you'd have to have a one on one conversation with Him about.

Which part of the definition of healing would you cite which excludes the regrowth of a limb? Or even a head?

The issue is not the definition, the problem is how you want to apply it to things that simply don't happen. So if you ask a doctor could I heal from a severed limb I'd guess she'd answer in the positive. If you then asked how that process would occur she'd more likely give an answer akin to mine and not regrowth.

Edit: I edited my reply please read again.
@SW-User

Not that it cannot be considered healing but outside of the realms of reality

So you agree that there is nothing which excludes the regrowth of a limb from being healing, just that it doesn't happen.

The issue is not the definition, the problem is how you want to apply it to things that simply don't happen

Why is that a problem?
"It doesn't happen" is not an answer to the question in my OP, it's a recognition of that question.
WHY doesn't it happen? You've now agree that it can be considered healing, unnatural though it is and you've agreed that natural is not a prerequisite if god wills it so.....so why doesn't it happen?
reflectingmonkey · 51-55, M
let me play the devil's advocate here, just for fun. according to christian ideology god created a context where we have a choice to believe or not to believe, that's how they explain why god doesn't just apear to each one of us so that we can KNOW he exists. we're supposed to have faith. but what about miracles ? I think that they would say that miracles are always things that are unlikely to occur without devine intervention but not impossible. that leaves room for people to believe or not believe it was a miracle. with a amputated leg there would be almost no room left for believing or not believing, faced with such level of devine intervention anyone would be forced to believe, no need for fate.
@reflectingmonkey

I disagree with that on two counts.

One: In both the OT and NT God/Jesus are doing impossible miracles all the time, not just ones that are improbable.

Two: When doubting Thomas demands to see the wounds in Jesus hands and then admits that he is the real deal, Jesus says that he is blessed even though those who believe without seeing are more blessed. So obviously those that believe after being given proof are still blessed.
reflectingmonkey · 51-55, M
@Pikachu we're talking about christianity here, it doesn't really make much sense 😂. I'm just trying to imagine from what I know of christianity how they would answer this. when i was a child and was still considered christian I remember being bothered by the fact that in the stories of the bible all these "great" christian heros we constantly faced with undoubtable manifistations of god and I remember thinking that its not fair because although they ask us to believe without seeing the people in the bible had plenty of occasions to see incredible events and even angels and other supernatural things. even abraham who had his faith tested by being asked to sacrifice his son for god had witnesses so much god activity that it was easy for him to believe and consequently obey. I mean, if I had met god and knew what a psychopath he can be I would probably obey too, or start praying Lucifer 😂🤣
@reflectingmonkey

I've thought that myself. Doesn't seem fair that the ancients got signs out the wazoo and we just get a ding dang book to read lol
From volunteering at hospice, I'm going to share that people pray for things that aren't medically possible all the time. We can look at prayer causally. An attempt to achieve a result. Let this person not die. Well. He's got stage 4 cancer. He's gonna die. So we can get caught up in this causal aspect, but there's also a process aspect. Spiritual or religious prayer is a way of dealing with grief and loss. Which is why prayers change through the process. May they not die ferments down to may they die peacefully. May we all be OK. That's not a Christian thing. That's universal. People with no spiritual or religious confession often pray just like this, almost like holding an aspiration, a positive vibe. Looking at the prayer of non-theistic people might make this more clear.
RopinTexan · 36-40, M
I haven’t watched the video, but I have two answers:

1. He does. He uses doctors and prosthetic limbs to do this. God works through people. He gives us brilliant scientists and doctors with brilliant minds to heal amputees.

2. I think what you’re more likely asking is why He doesn’t *MIRACULOUSLY* heal them. If so, my follow-up question would be “how do you know He hasn’t?” Just because you haven’t personally seen it happen (I haven’t either to be fair, but I don’t know any amputees either) doesn’t mean it’s never happened. Also, God heals in many more non-miraculous ways. Nature, science, and humans are His creation and His tools that He often uses for healing.
@RopinTexan

He does. He uses doctors and prosthetic limbs to do this.

1) That's not a healing, it's an inferior, artificial substitute and
2) It's not a miracle any more than a TV is.

why He doesn’t *MIRACULOUSLY* heal them.

Yes, that is what i specified in my OP. He seems to "miraculously" heal only afflictions which can either heal on their own or are hard to verify.

Also, God heals in many more non-miraculous ways. Nature, science, and humans are His creation and His tools that He often uses for healing.

And that's all well and good but we read in the Bible that he is willing and able to perform healings that are NOT nature or science. My question is not "why isn't god healing amputees all over the place" it is "why has not a single one EVER demonstrably been healed".

“how do you know He hasn’t?

I don't know he hasn't but there is no evidence in history anywhere on the globe which suggests that he has. I think you'd agree with me that the balance of evidence forces the rational person to conclude that such a healing has not occurred.
But he does apparently respond to prayers to miraculously heal other afflictions of the kind i described above.
Why is that do you think?
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Firechidist · 26-30, F
Amputee really is just missing a limb they don't have a disease or illness but I get your point. The thing is all the growth of limbs and such happens in the womb. Humans were never created with regenerative abilities such as other animals. But God promised us perfect new bodies after the ressurection. For what ever reason. We live in a fallen world with fallen bodies that will eventually fail and die.
@Firechidist

Well he made the lame to walk again and caused the blind to see, right? It seems like he's doing physical healing beyond just purging disease.

Humans were never created with regenerative abilities

Someone else posited a similar explanation and perhaps you can provide a better defense of it than he did.
I'd point out that humans were never created to decompose in a tomb for 4 days and then come back to life but that's what god did for Lazarus so evidently god is willing and able to perform miraculous healings which go beyond what humans are designed for.
Firechidist · 26-30, F
@Pikachu I guess you're right. It shouldn't be impossible for God to restore an amputee but I never seen a miracle like that or anyone who had enough faith to perform or believe it to happen for them. If you can see it in your minds eye and believe it as a present reality it's possible with enough faith it can and should happen. Jesus said if you have faith like a mustard seed and do not doubt in your heart you can tell a mountain to be thrown into the sea and it will happen. Nothing will be impossible for you. But who on Earth has faith like that?

I've read about people using their imagination and subconscious mind to manifest healings that should be impossible. For example a blind girl manifesting perfect eyesight . When the doctor examined her eyes he saw she was seeing through dead eyes. I've read and heard from Christians who raised the dead. Christians should be able to perform the same miracles Jesus did. Jesus said you will do the same and greater works than he did. But he also said who on Earth will still have enough faith when he comes back?

In the past when I was a born again believer in Christ I sang healer by Hillsong United when I was sick lying in bed. I felt a cold hand on my back which forced me forward over my bed to vomit and after that I was no longer sick. Jesus healed me. Believe he has healed and he is still healing. Jesus means God saves God rescues God delievers. Let Jesus be who he is called to be your healer and saviour.


When he was on Earth He would often express his frustration with his disciples lack of faith when they couldn't cast out devils and there is another instance in scripture where Jesus couldn't heal certain people because of their unbelief. So Jesus cannot heal you if you don't believe. His healing power needs your consent it never overtakes you. God will not force his way with you.

There is another instance in the Bible where a woman healed herself because she thought if she just touched the hem of Jesus robe she will be healed and when she touched it she was healed all without Jesus conscious consent. He said your faith has healed you. So the faith of the healer and believer work miracles whether they're in conjunction or not.

If you lack faith Scripture says Faith comes from hearing. Hearing God's Word. Decree it to yourself out loud repeatedly until you believe it if you have to. Tell yourself, "If you said it God that settles it. You merely spoke and the world was created. Your Word has power to heal me. I decree and declare it over my life today and it will not return void. Even though my faith is tested and small it will come out as pure gold because Jesus you are the author and finisher of my faith and nothing is impossible for you! You said I just need a little bit of faith, faith as small as a mustard seed and I can tell a mountain to move! Surely I can speak life into my missing bones and limbs. God help me to believe this impossible deed can happen! When the man in the Bible asked Jesus if he can heal him Jesus replied what do you mean if I can? Anything is possible for the one who believes! Jesus said he only does what he sees His father doing. Lord help me see what you are doing too so I can perform the same and greater works Jesus has. I believe you want to heal me Jesus you are my healer Jesus. Have mercy on me Jesus and heal me, restore what was lost in Jesus name amen." Then afterwards feel the reality of your prayer answered. See yourself as healed. Feel it


So if you're an amputee your faith should be able to heal you. If you imagine yourself healed. Feeling and walking in your mind with limbs as if it were real and present. Get lost in the feeling and thought. Deny all physical senses and conscious reasoning it can't and won't happen and It will surely happen.
SW-User
God answers prayers and does miraculous healings


I don't think Christians are only ones that think that.

Most people needs something to believe and give hope to in at times of peril.

People can have their beliefs about God.
Who am I to judge, I have my faults.
@SW-User

God answers prayers and does miraculous healings

Perhaps. But that's not an answer to my question.
SW-User
@Pikachu I thought I was pretty direct when I indirectly avoided answering the question. 😁.
@SW-User

lol well good job then
Just here because I am curious to the answers from neo platonic Christians.
@PicturesOfABetterTomorrow

I'm also quite curious.
It's possible but would that not be too obvious? And if he did, you wouldn't believe it. You would just say it's not true and dismiss it like you're dismissing the other claims.
@RocktheHouse

Raising a man from the dead is enough to convince me.

I think it would be enough to convince me too.
But that's my point.
We're told that god can and has performed miraculous healings beyond those which can occur naturally and yet we never, never, never see them.
They're always in the distant past, unverified and unverifiable.

And yet god is ostensibly still performing miraculous healing in our present time....just never anything that can heal on it's own.
Why is that?
RopinTexan · 36-40, M
@Pikachu I would argue that the reason God performed these miraculous healings back then, two millennia ago, because they were needed. Modern medical technology didn’t exist back then. Now they do, so there’s no need for God to heal people miraculously when He can just as easily do it through medical technology.
@RopinTexan



so there’s no need for God to heal people miraculously when He can just as easily do it through medical technology.

People are still claiming miraculous healing. Is god healing people or is he not?
If yes, then why has he never in history healed an amputee?

As for it being just as easy to heal through modern medicine and technology, that's just untrue.
There are all sorts of diseases and injuries that we can't fully heal, cure or fix without significant damage or complications.
Cancer for example. We're very bad at healing cancer. We need to literally poison your entire body, destroy your immune system and cut out chunks of your flesh just to slow the progression of the disease.
But in this day of modern technology, god is credited with miraculous healing of cancer.
Similarly, in this day of modern technology, we still can't produce anything but an inferior artificial substitute for a limb... so why has god never miraculously cured an amputee....ever?
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@BarbossasHusband

I've heard that being an amputee is just god's plan for you and so of course he isn't going to heal you of it...but apparently cancer isn't god's plan for you so sometimes he'll help you out with that one?
BarbossasHusband · 36-40, M
@Pikachu ye, child cancer and innocent kids dying is all in his plan? If that's the case, I don't respect the so called god anyway.
Don't claim cancer isn't "his plan" if you believe him. After all, were all "made in his image", cancer cells, futur eand all. Sure, there's free will, but it's no childs will to have cancer is it?
@BarbossasHusband

The problem of suffering is a big problem indeed.

 
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