Sulmasy observes that “Like, the Babylonians, the Jews attributed healing and sickness to God” (49). Sulmasy discusses this within an idea called Deuteronomic retribution (52), a theme that recurs in the Hebrew Scriptures (the Old Testament) as the Jews attempted to find reasons behind— and meaning for— evil and suffering. Illness and misfortune were considered punishments from God (retribution) resulting from sin that could be attributed directly to the person and/or the person’s ancestors. Disease and misfortune were also portrayed as a test of faithfulness to God.
In modern times, we generally rely on scientific explanations for sickness, maladies, and death. To this day, some people hold to the notion of Deuteronomic retribution and offer it as rationale and justification for misfortune including medical maladies.
Citing from Kushner (or Muder’s notes on) When Bad Things Happen to Good People (Links to an external site.)https://www.luthermemorialonline.org/resources, discuss one way in which Rabbi Harold S. Kushner demonstrates his disagreement with the concept of Deuteronomic retribution as the source of suffering.
Provide an example of a contemporary illness that has been attributed to divine retribution or punishment. Find a newspaper or journal source which includes an explanation offered by someone who proposes that the illness is a punishment from God. Note: the source you find for this section may or may not be academically or scientifically credible.
Discuss one alternative to the notion of Deuteronomic retribution which is provided in the course materials this module. In other words, discuss the mystery of suffering in another way besides the understanding that God sends suffering as punishment based on a person’s sins, or the sins of those who have gone before.
Guidelines
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Please use the textbook attached below for in-text citation.
