This is a book I discovered over ten years ago and I remember my first copy being covered with different shades of highlighters. After being subjected to many books about "The Bible Cure," etc., I was so relieved to know a book like this existed that addresses the fact that God does heal, but it's in His own way and His own timing.
When this book went out of print I grieved! And bought up every copy at discount bookstores I could locate. The author passed away June 29, 2001, at the age of 64, due to pulmonary fibrosis. He had a worldwide itinerate ministry of Bible teaching and preaching and served as the minister-at-large for the MacArthur Blvd. Baptist Church in Irving, TX. And was the president of LifeStyle Ministries, an organization that produces Bible study audio recordings, now headed by his wife, Kaye. You can read more about him and his ministry at his web site [...] .
His wife was able to get the book back into print a few years ago and there is no book that I've been happier to have back. I believe it's one of those "required reading" that anyone with a chronic illness can benefit from.
I especially appreciate that Dunn tackles the subject of stigma in being a Christian who is chronically ill. It's refreshing to see this addressed, but without any bitterness, just one seeking to understand.
He writes, "But it is, for me at least, almost impossible to understand the stigma that many Christians attach to other Christians struck by illness. The stigma attached to Christians by many fellow believers is born not only out of ignorance, but out of spiritual pride and arrogance, devoid of understanding and compassion. The stigmatized Christian is wounded in the house of his friends." (p. 70)
He also says, "Overlapping the social stigma, yet separate from it, is the spiritual stigma that is often attached to illness. The isolation of illness is often made even more acute in religious circles, where sickness is looked upon as an evidence of spiritual deficiency. . . Sheila Walsh, an internationally known recording artist and author and co-host of The 700 Club, says that when she entered the hospital for depression some co-workers said to her such things as: `Do you know the damage you are doing to this ministry?' `I always knew you would lose it someday.' `You might never be special again.'" (p. 68-69)
In a very personal way Dunn describes that although we naturally seek to avoid pain, the Bible does teach that no one is except from suffering and this includes sickness. There are many misconceptions about what the Bible says about suffering, and Dunn goes through them step by step, helping the reader better understand God's sovereignty and endless love, despite the suffering He allows into our lives.
Chapters include topics such as:
* Why doesn't God just release His power and heal all the hurts?
* The losses and gains of suffering
* Is God in sovereign control of His universe?
* What do we mean by healing?
* Do you have a right to be healed?
* The harmful side effects of unscriptural teaching
* Praying for the sick
* When God says no
I've found this book to be one of the very best ones in helping readers understand, accept, and even embrace the suffering and chronic illness they experience in their life that is also based on biblical truth and not skewed interpretations of it. Dunn nails the topic of illness and suffering and all that goes along with it--such as coping with the social stigma and learning how to interpret scripture on the subject of healing--with integrity, compassion and the personal experience as one who has been there.
If I had just one book I could give everyone with a chronic illness, this book-- Will God Heal Me? God's Power and Purpose in Suffering--would be it!
Do you have a friend with an illness? If you have ever wondered about the Christian who WAS NOT divinely healed of a terminal or chronic illness you should read this book too. It shatters the myth that illness only strikes believers who have transgressed God in some way or that healing cannot be imparted based simply upon a lack of faith. It will help you understand the roller coaster of emotions your friend may be going through as well as the spiritual journey of coming to terms with God's purpose in the pain.
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