/jakeboumacom/tony-jones-on-cancer-theology/

Tony is the author of The Church Is Flat: The Relational Ecclesiology of the Emerging Church Movement and is theologian-in-residence at Solomons Porch in Minneapolis and an adjunct professor at Fuller Theological Seminary and at Andover Newton Theological School. Tony is the author of many books on Christian ministry and spirituality, including The New Christians: Dispatches from the Emergent Frontier and The Sacred Way: Spiritual Practices for Everyday Life, and, coming this week, A Better Atonement: Beyond the Depraved Doctrine of Original Sin.

Tagged as: cancer and theology, christianity, guest blog, nonviolence, theology, tony jones

http://perfectchaos.org/ Steven

I like the style and tone of your article. But why do you think God allows people to suffer with cancer? Or do you believe God is powerless to stop cancer? Many thanks, Steven
EricG

I hear you Tony, but I think the guy in my oncologists office who was wearing a fight like hell t-shirt today can use whatever metaphor he wants. Usually it is just another way of saying dont give up (which a number of people who I know with cancer have done when given long odds).

The most unfortunate thing about the use of the fighting terminology is that when it doesnt go well, people say that the person lost their battle. I number of my friends have passed away from this illness, but I would never say they lost. They clearly won in the way they lived the final stage of their life.
- Rose
  
  I agree here. Our 36 year-old son has a rare, incurable cancer. He would say he is in the fight of his life hoping beyond hope for some of the not yet to come into the now to extend his life for as long as possible. He has a 3 year-old son and a baby due any day. Tony what do you make of Greg Boyds God at War?
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http://www.butnotyet.com/ JoelR

Five years ago, at the age of 46, I was diagnosed with colon cancer. I underwent surgery and 4 months of pretty rough chemo. Now, after four and half years, its back and I get to do it all over again. I say all this to show I that of which I speak. Personally, Ive never thought of it as a battle or a fight; its just something I have to go through to get better, so I kind of like your statement Its a journey toward healing. That said, this is a very personal thing and everyone who deals with it has to do whatever gets them through.
Debbie Cisneros

Thank you Tony & Jake..I too prefer the words healing ,journey .I do not like to use negative words like war.either .you are so right.I also like the comparison recovery.. Your narrative indicates we are all always healing.and the positive message.
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