Posted on December 13, 2007 07:14
pinakidion:
Steve: I have also appreciated your tone as well in this discussion. I do not feel that you have ever questioned my faith or hurt my feelings. Thank you for the prayers.
I would like to point out that part of one's hermenutic is thinking through the implications of what is taught and an individual's convictions. There are consequences to firmly held beliefs. I believe in adult immersion. One of the implication of that belief is that those that 'pray Jesus into their heart' are not Christians. This can and has been a dividing point. It is imperative for me to think through the implication and consequences of this belief in order to care for the hearts and faith of others.
If I say, "God wants to heal you," there is an implications to how that applies in a person's life, particularly in regards to the medical profession. In not thinking through the implications and consequences of our doctrine, I think we do damage to people's hearts and personal faith more than we intend. Part of any hermeneutic should be an examined faith.
Thank you for the discussion. As always, I will consider what you have thoughtfully shared. I hope the Lord will make it clear to me in His time. I have no doubt that He will. I hope in time to believe differently, to be honest. God bless.
As far as specific prayers, my daughter has had nine surgeries to open the airway in her nose. We are scheduling what may be number ten today. She was born with what is called choanal atresia, or blockages, of both nostrils. She would have died in minutes had she not been tested for it. Because it is so rare, many hospitals do not normally test for it.
My son was also born with choanal atresia (thus the doctor's tested my duaghter) as a part of Goldenhar's Syndrome. His case is mild, but he has some internal skull deformations (though you can't tell from his outward appearance) and moderate deafness in both ears due to a lack of ear canals. He will also probably need to be treated with human growth hormone as he does not produce very much right now.
My son's chonal atresia (nose blockage) was successfully treated after one surgery.