Aberrations as this man are thankfully rare, but are a test for mankind as to how they will react. The cause of the shunning Merrick experienced was not due to behavior or character or cultural traits, but merely appearance and function.
But beyond his repulsive appearance was a person of faith, strong character courage along with a sensitive nature, which those who took an interest in Merrick as a person discovered. And who were better off having known him than if they had not.
And in a real sense fallen mankind needs souls such as this who are clear manifestations that we are in a fallen world. If all mankind in our present state were perfectly health, with no disabilities, then I think we would be most shallow. Faced with those in legitimate need of mercy and grace, especially thru no fault of their own or who are sincerely trying overcome the error of their ways (versus those of contrived or merchandised disabilities such as the welfare state fosters, whose demand is not for mercy but justice as deserving of what others lawfully obtained), one either hardens his heart or enlarges it.
If all mankind were blind he would not have been part of a freak show, and while we should appreciate beauty and complete functionality as God-given gifts, yet we all vary in the degrees that we have, and the basic value of each person as persons is not to be based upon such amoral aspects as appearance (while morality, character and its fruits are to be rewarded). For "man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7)
Moreover, if while if all mankind was like Merrick then he would be thought of as normal, but if such were normal then it would attest to something wrong on a wholesale level.
But God created a universe of grandeur and beauty, and gave the us ability to behold appreciate it, as well as to see the aberrations which are manifest by way of contrast. And which negative aberrations are the result of man breaking the laws of God, which affect others directly or indirectly, and progressively if not counteracted.
Thus after Adam and Eve sinned, death and other negative effects resulted upon all under the stewardship of man, but not all that would affect man did so immediately. It is the devil who hates to see man giving glory to God in any way, and if he had his way then negative aberrations and countries like North Korea would be the norm.
Yes, God could have prevented this, and Christ healed all who came to Him for the power of the Lord to do so was present, (Luke 5:17) but we are realize varying degrees of grace and are to do what we can for God according to what we have.
But while God enables choice and alternatives to choose from, and just consequences for doing so and which even indirectly affect others, yet He makes negative effects to work out for the good of those who love God, and we need to see things in the light of eternity.
The devil wanted to afflicted Job in order to provoke him to curse God and die (likely by suicide, but the end of the persevering faithful is blessing. The injustices that the devil provoked others to do has often worked bring the victim to be conscious of their need for Christ. If Merrick were an handsome sex symbol he might have ended up in Hell, while if Elvis Presley was not handsome he might have died preaching the gospel.
Ping
Wow. What a sad experience but a learning experience for society. I’m impressed that somehow he was able to move from freak, scary stimulus, and joke to a truly afflicted man engendering sympathy and kindness. That says something good about society at the time.
Tragically Heartwarming,,,
Neurofibromatosis.
” If all mankind in our present state were perfectly health, with no disabilities, then I think we would be most shallow.”
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All one has to do is to look into one’s daily life to learn that your supposition is correct.
From the bassinette to lower grades, higher grades, chosen profession, one can see how shallow the ‘beautiful’ people are in their public and private interactions.
Thanks for posting. It is impossible to know the ramifications Merrick’s testimony might have had on those around him, his testimony and those who generously cared for him. Our time is short in the sense of eternity and so are our infirmities. What should more be pity are those who live a “good and productive life” yet never know the grace of God offered through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Mel Brooks was an
Uncredited Producer,
What ever that means,
Interesting.