How would George interpret his suffering in light of the Christian narrative, with an emphasis on the fallenness of the world?

In the light of the Christian narrative, George would interpret his suffering as God’s way of testing his faith. Christians hold the belief that everything happens according to Gods will. They also believe that every event occurring in their lives is meant to teach a lesson or reveal a particular intention from God. Moreover, God manifests his grace though healing after suffering.  For instance, Jesus noted that the blind man was suffering because God wanted to manifest His glory through his healing (John: 9).Christianity would thus advice George to wait upon the Lord for healing and be patient to learn the lesson and Gods intention for his suffering. His faith and prayers are expected to facilitate his healing according to the Bible. This is because; Christians believe that everything is possible through God.

On the other hand, suffering is considered a punishment for wrong doing. According to the Bible, the paralyzed man brought to Jesus for healing was forgiven his sins. Jesus said to the sick man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven” (Matthew 9:2).  In Deuteronomy (28:58–61) and Leviticus (26:15,16), it is evident that God sends suffering to the bodies of sinners, their families, crops and animals. PHI-413V Case Study on Death and Dying. In this case, George is expected to perceive his suffering as a punishment for his sins or the sins of his family and therefore repent to gain God’s mercy so that his illness can be alleviated.

1. How would George interpret his suffering in light of the Christian narrative, with an emphasis on the hope of resurrection?

            Following the Christian narrative, George should be hopeful of recovery after suffering. According to the Old Testament, Abram and Sarai suffered childlessness for so many years which subjected them to humiliation (Genesis, 15). However, God blessed them with a son as a fulfillment of His promise. Abram kept his faith in God and hoped for a child in form of a resurrection since Sarai was too old to have children. The Bible says that, “Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead (Romans 4:19).” PHI-413V Case Study on Death and Dying. As such, George is expected by the Christian narrative to keep hoping for his day of resurrection and not lose hope. This means that Christianity does not allow him to undertake the euthanasia process regardless of his progressive suffering.

Moreover, George should hope for resurrection after death and should therefore wait upon God to decide whether he dies or recovers from his illness. The Christian hope is a certainty and not a wish and thus it is just yet to be fulfilled at the right time. Hope carries believers through trials and makes them emerge victorious. For example, Jesus Christ resurrected from the dead after suffering and thus gives the Christians the hope to come back to life. According to 1 Corinthians (15:4), Jesus was crucified and came back to life after three days. George should therefore perceive his suffering as a pathway to death and eventual bodily resurrection in the same way as Christ suffered PHI-413V Case Study on Death and Dying. He should be hopeful for a better future without suffering which can only be achieved through death and resurrection.