The Doctor and his Four Patients: A Parable about Faith and Works

[Pancho Frijoles]

Hi everyone

This is a parable on salvation, and the role of faith and works.
I invite you all to reflect and comment. Hopefully it may trigger a productive discussion.

Four young patients who suffered a dangerous disease came to see a doctor.​

The doctor presented his credentials as the best specialist they could ever meet. Then he proceeded to diagnose the disease and prescribed the treatment. The treatment, he told them, was going to be painful, but its efficacy was guaranteed.​

​

1. ANDREW did not believe that the doctor was the great specialist he claimed. Therefore, he did not follow the treatment.
2. MARGARET did believe that the doctor was the great specialist he claimed to be and followed the treatment.
3. SUSAN, who was Margaret's identical twin, did believe the doctor was the great specialist he claimed to be. However, she did not follow the treatment as it was painful.
4. EDWARD did not believe that the doctor was the great specialist he claimed to be, but still thought the treatment made sense and followed it.

Some questions to reflect on:

Which of the patients was healed?
Why did the doctor present his credentials?
What is the importance of believing in doctor's credentials?
What is the importance of following the treatment?

 

[Aeliana]

Jesus is a heart surgeon. He took my heart of stone and gave me a heart of flesh.

A doctor can test the health of our hearts with an electrocardiogram or EKG. It is a test that measures the electrical activity of the heart; it is a way of checking that our hearts are functioning as they ought to.

We can use the acronym EKG to perform a test of our hearts based on Ephesians 4:32.

E = Empathy​

K = Kindness​

G = Grace​

 

[Pancho Frijoles]

Jesus is a heart surgeon. He took my heart of stone and gave me a heart of flesh.

A doctor can test the health of our hearts with an electrocardiogram or EKG. It is a test that measures the electrical activity of the heart; it is a way of checking that our hearts are functioning as they ought to.

We can use the acronym EKG to perform a test of our hearts based on Ephesians 4:32.

E = Empathy​

K = Kindness​

G = Grace​

Thanks for the beautiful way to share your personal testimony, Aeliana!
May God keep your heart pure, kindly and radiant.

 

[Studyman]

Hi everyone

This is a parable on salvation, and the role of faith and works.
I invite you all to reflect and comment. Hopefully it may trigger a productive discussion.

Four young patients who suffered a dangerous disease came to see a doctor.​

The doctor presented his credentials as the best specialist they could ever meet. Then he proceeded to diagnose the disease and prescribed the treatment. The treatment, he told them, was going to be painful, but its efficacy was guaranteed.​

​

1. ANDREW did not believe that the doctor was the great specialist he claimed. Therefore, he did not follow the treatment.
2. MARGARET did believe that the doctor was the great specialist he claimed to be and followed the treatment.
3. SUSAN, who was Margaret's identical twin, did believe the doctor was the great specialist he claimed to be. However, she did not follow the treatment as it was painful.
4. EDWARD did not believe that the doctor was the great specialist he claimed to be, but still thought the treatment made sense and followed it.

Some questions to reflect on:

Which of the patients was healed?
Why did the doctor present his credentials?
What is the importance of believing in doctor's credentials?
What is the importance of following the treatment?


View attachment 917

Jesus also made the same point I think, to the mainstream preachers of His time according to Matthew.

28 But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard.

29 He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.

30 And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.

31 Whether of them twain did the will of his father?


Which of the patients was healed?
Margaret and Edward would have benefited from submission to the treatment.

Why did the doctor present his credentials?
Because HE knew what he was talking about and wanted to help these people.

What is the importance of believing in doctor's credentials?
It was of little consequence if a man believed in the credentials of the doctor, in this example.

What is the importance of following the treatment?
It was more important to be a "Doer" of the instructions given, than a hearer only, in this example.

 

[Pancho Frijoles]

Jesus also made the same point I think, to the mainstream preachers of His time according to Matthew.

28 But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard.

29 He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.

30 And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.

31 Whether of them twain did the will of his father?


Which of the patients was healed?
Margaret and Edward would have benefited from submission to the treatment.

Why did the doctor present his credentials?
Because HE knew what he was talking about and wanted to help these people.

What is the importance of believing in doctor's credentials?
It was of little consequence if a man believed in the credentials of the doctor, in this example.

What is the importance of following the treatment?
It was more important to be a "Doer" of the instructions given, than a hearer only, in this example.

Thank you very much for your comments!

Yes, the purpose of the doctor is to heal the patient.
The credentials are presented as a tool to encourage people to believe so that they can follow the treatment. The biggest credential, though, is the effectiveness of the treatment prescribed.

Some evangelical brothers and sisters seem to believe

• that the doctor's main interest is to be recognized by his credentials
• that the treatment consists in validating those credentials.

As a result, they have come to think that salvation from the "disease" of sin consists in adhering to dogmas about the preexistence, deity, incarnation, atonement, resurrection and Second Coming of Jesus. In other words, validating the credentials of Jesus as Messiah, or Son or God, or God. The numerous episodes of healing in the gospels, though, teach us that Jesus did not demand from the people adherence to any particular belief about his preexistence, deity, incarnation, atonement, resurrecction or second coming.
He demanded from people to believe that they could be healed, regardless on whether they thought Jesus was a Rabbi, a prophet, a healer, the Messiah, or the Son of God.

When Jesus said "I am the Way" he was referring to the Way of Life He teaches.
When Jesus said "I am the Life" he was referring to the New Life He calls us to be born to.

 

[mikesw]

Thank you very much for your comments!

Yes, the purpose of the doctor is to heal the patient.
The credentials are presented as a tool to encourage people to believe so that they can follow the treatment. The biggest credential, though, is the effectiveness of the treatment prescribed.

Some evangelical brothers and sisters seem to believe

• that the doctor's main interest is to be recognized by his credentials
• that the treatment consists in validating those credentials.

As a result, they have come to think that salvation from the "disease" of sin consists in adhering to dogmas about the preexistence, deity, incarnation, atonement, resurrection and Second Coming of Jesus. In other words, validating the credentials of Jesus as Messiah, or Son or God, or God. The numerous episodes of healing in the gospels, though, teach us that Jesus did not demand from the people adherence to any particular belief about his preexistence, deity, incarnation, atonement, resurrecction or second coming.
He demanded from people to believe that they could be healed, regardless on whether they thought Jesus was a Rabbi, a prophet, a healer, the Messiah, or the Son of God.

When Jesus said "I am the Way" he was referring to the Way of Life He teaches.
When Jesus said "I am the Life" he was referring to the New Life He calls us to be born to.

That is one of the big heresies facing Christianity today, namely of faith in faith rather than faith in Christ. The idea of faith is focused on trust in something, not just agreeing (or solely agreeing) on a process or result. So in Christianity the object of our faith is Christ Jesus and God. They bring forth the results, such as healing, protection, and provision.
You are misinterpreting the topic of the synoptic gospels which are to testify that Jesus is the Messiah and to show what he did and what he taught the Jews. You are misconstruing that people's faith to be healed or you are assuming things you can only speculate about. At times people were noted recognizing Jesus is sent from God. Other times they recognized Jesus as a man of authority. Some were suspecting Christ as the Prophet. Even if not specified why some people came for healing, the sharing of these events is to point us to the Messiah, not to our expectation of being healed by some power within us.
To answer the importance of the doctor's credentials, we find only Christ Jesus has the credentials. So people who seek others only end up with doctors who bought their diplomas.
The importance of following the treatment is critical. We must believe in the Savior sent from Heaven and repent from following one's own lusts and own gods so they can give glory to the Son. It was evident how many have and had failed to follow this treatment.

Your lack of biblical faith makes this concept foreign to you. Come trust Jesus as your Lord and Savior.

 

[Runningman]

Hi everyone

This is a parable on salvation, and the role of faith and works.
I invite you all to reflect and comment. Hopefully it may trigger a productive discussion.

Four young patients who suffered a dangerous disease came to see a doctor.​

The doctor presented his credentials as the best specialist they could ever meet. Then he proceeded to diagnose the disease and prescribed the treatment. The treatment, he told them, was going to be painful, but its efficacy was guaranteed.​

​

1. ANDREW did not believe that the doctor was the great specialist he claimed. Therefore, he did not follow the treatment.
2. MARGARET did believe that the doctor was the great specialist he claimed to be and followed the treatment.
3. SUSAN, who was Margaret's identical twin, did believe the doctor was the great specialist he claimed to be. However, she did not follow the treatment as it was painful.
4. EDWARD did not believe that the doctor was the great specialist he claimed to be, but still thought the treatment made sense and followed it.

Some questions to reflect on:

Which of the patients was healed?
Why did the doctor present his credentials?
What is the importance of believing in doctor's credentials?
What is the importance of following the treatment?


View attachment 917

It seems that in this case that belief would not be relevant to the efficacy of the treatment. The doctor guaranteed the treatment would be effective so let's assume that is true. Those who took the treatment were healed of their dangerous disease regardless of all other factors. The fundamental message is if you do nothing, yet you believe, you are not healed. If you believe and do something you are healed.

I have a bone to pick with one of the propositions. Edward did not believe the doctor was who he said he is, but still thought the treatment made sense and was healed. I would say that is trust.

 

[Pancho Frijoles]

It seems that in this case that belief would not be relevant to the efficacy of the treatment. The doctor guaranteed the treatment would be effective so let's assume that is true. Those who took the treatment were healed of their dangerous disease regardless of all other factors. The fundamental message is if you do nothing, yet you believe, you are not healed. If you believe and do something you are healed.

I have a bone to pick with one of the propositions. Edward did not believe the doctor was who he said he is, but still thought the treatment made sense and was healed. I would say that is trust.

Wonderful insight. Thank you, Runningman.
Yes, Edward trusted the treatment. Perhaps, now that he realizes he is healed, he will change his mind about the doctor.

Jesus told the skepticals:
If I am not doing the works of My Father, do not believe Me. But if I do them, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him.” (John 10:37, 38)

Skeptics may not believe our arguments, our quotes from Scripture, our sermons… But they may believe the effect of our works and follow our example. Will they eventually join our church or religious community? Maybe they will, maybe not.
Whatever the case, Jesus will be pleased that they took the treatment He prescribed, and they were cured.

The treatment prescribed is to repent from our wrongdoings with a broken heart, and be willing to start a new life based on love to each other.
According to Jesus teaching in Matthew 25: 40, whatever we do to the most vulnerable of our brothers, we do it to Christ.
So, Jesus is much more interested in what we do to others, than in who wins a debate on his deity or limited atonement or physical resurrection. This is sound doctrine, firmly supported by Scripture.
.

 

[Runningman]

Wonderful insight. Thank you, Runningman.
Yes, Edward trusted the treatment. Perhaps, now that he realizes he is healed, he will change his mind about the doctor.

Jesus told the skepticals:
If I am not doing the works of My Father, do not believe Me. But if I do them, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him.” (John 10:37, 38)

Skeptics may not believe our arguments, our quotes from Scripture, our sermons… But they may believe the effect of our works and follow our example. Will they eventually join our church or religious community? Maybe they will, maybe not.
Whatever the case, Jesus will be pleased that they took the treatment He prescribed, and they were cured.

The treatment prescribed is to repent from our wrongdoings with a broken heart, and be willing to start a new life based on love to each other.
According to Jesus teaching in Matthew 25: 40, whatever we do to the most vulnerable of our brothers, we do it to Christ.
So, Jesus is much more interested in what we do to others, than in who wins a debate on his deity or limited atonement or physical resurrection. This is sound doctrine, firmly supported by Scripture.
.

Yes that's true, but like you said, it can go a number of possible ways. The miraculous cure was the gateway to the heart of the patients and, despite them having no doubt heard testimonies of this doctor prior to seeking treatment, the experience of others being healed was not their experience. There is no substitute for experience even when testimony is from someone who is obviously convinced, sincere, and telling the truth as they know it.

People from earth know that to be fed you need to follow the food. Jesus was also aware of this and made the connection between their seeking out of food to fill their bellies with seeking him out in order to have eternal life. However, not believing in him because of the food he provided, but rather because that's the work God has assigned to each of them - to believe on he who God sent.

John 6 (KJV)
26Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. 27Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. 28Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 29Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.