Jesus as healer in the Gospel of Matthew: In conversation with Alan Culpepper

Abstract

This article is a response to R. Alan Culpepper’s two-part contribution in this volume, ‘Jesus as healer in the Gospel of Matthew’. It focuses on three sets of implications of Culpepper’s work: implications of a bioethical reading of Matthew; implications of a vulnerable, compassionate God in the midst of suffering; and implications of a comprehensive healing ministry for Christian churches today. The core of the essay is Jesus of Nazareth as paradoxical expression of God’s presence amidst suffering, identifying with people in need while embodying God’s encompassing renewal of creation.

Keywords

• Bioethical reading of Matthew
• righteousness and wholeness in Matthew
• a vulnerable, compassionate God identifying with suffering people and creation
• comprehensive healing ministry for Christian churches today