Biblical Answer

Understanding God's Sovereignty and Human Debt

When we consider why God allows medical debt to be so overwhelming, we must first acknowledge His sovereignty over all creation. God is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, and He governs all things according to His perfect will. As Anselm noted, God is just and the justifier of those who trust in Him (Rom 3:26). This means that God demands justice, but He also provides satisfaction for the debt that humanity owes Him. In the person of Jesus Christ, God became our debtor, not by receiving anything, but by promising what He pleased. This is why Jesus' sufferings and death have value, even though He was God as well as man.

The Nature of God's Debt and Our Response

The debt we owe God is not a matter of original obligation, but rather a consequence of a promise. God's love for humanity extends to our bodies, which He made, and He desires that all be saved (2 Pet 3:9). When we face medical debt, it is essential to remember that God's mercy is not a matter of debt and retribution, but rather a demonstration of His love and compassion. As Augustine said, God became our debtor by promising what He pleased, not by receiving anything. This means that God's actions are not driven by a need to pay a debt, but rather by His desire to show mercy and love to humanity.

A Biblical Perspective on Suffering and Healing

When we are faced with overwhelming medical debt, it is easy to question God's justice and sovereignty. However, we must remember that God's ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts (Isa 55:8-9). God is not completely overwhelmed by our suffering, and He is not destitute of the attribute of mercy. In fact, He is willing to grant partial foretastes of the perfect health that will be ours for eternity. When we face suffering, we must look back to God's promises and His character, rather than focusing on the technical details of our situation. We must trust that God is working all things together for our good, even when we cannot see it (Rom 8:28). Ultimately, our response to medical debt should be one of faith, hope, and trust in God's sovereignty and love.