Biblical Answer

Why Does God Allow Medical Debt to be so Overwhelming?

The question of why God allows medical debt to be so overwhelming is a complex one, and it touches on various aspects of God's nature and His relationship with humanity. From a biblical perspective, God is just and requires that sin be punished (Rom 3:26). However, God is also a loving God who desires that all people be saved and that He would not want anyone to perish (2 Pet 3:9). In this context, it is essential to consider the concept of substitution, as proposed by Anselm in his work "Cur Deus Homo." According to Anselm, God became a debtor to humanity by promising to make satisfaction for our debt, which we cannot pay on our own. This idea is central to the Christian understanding of salvation, where Jesus Christ takes upon Himself the debt of humanity's sin, suffering, and death in our place.

In light of this understanding, it can be argued that God allows medical debt to be overwhelming because it provides an opportunity for Him to demonstrate His love and justice. Just as God became a debtor to humanity to make satisfaction for our debt, so too can we see God's involvement in the lives of those who are suffering under medical debt. This can be understood as a manifestation of God's desire to redeem and restore those who are broken and in need. Furthermore, the biblical principle that God loves people and desires their well-being, including their physical bodies, is a crucial consideration in this context. As the Bible says, "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son" (Heb 12:5-6). God's allowance of medical debt can be seen as a form of discipline, intended to draw people back to Him and to encourage them to seek His help and guidance.

In conclusion, the question of why God allows medical debt to be so overwhelming is a multifaceted one that requires a nuanced understanding of God's nature and His relationship with humanity. While God is just and requires that sin be punished, He is also a loving God who desires that all people be saved and that He would not want anyone to perish. Through the concept of substitution and the biblical principles of God's love and justice, we can see that God's allowance of medical debt can be understood as an opportunity for Him to demonstrate His love and justice, and to draw people back to Him. Ultimately, the Christian understanding of salvation and God's relationship with humanity provides a framework for addressing the complex issue of medical debt and its implications for our lives.