The term "lunatic" is derived from the Latin word "lunaticus," which means "moonstruck." Historically, it was believed that the phases of the moon could influence mental health, leading to erratic behavior. In biblical times, this term was often used to describe individuals who exhibited symptoms of mental illness or epilepsy, conditions that were not well understood in ancient cultures.

Biblical References:

The concept of lunacy is most directly referenced in the New Testament, where individuals suffering from seizures or mental disturbances are brought to Jesus for healing. The Berean Standard Bible provides insight into these accounts:

1. Matthew 4:24 : "News about Him spread all over Syria, and people brought to Him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering acute pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed—and He healed them." In this passage, those "having seizures" are often associated with the term "lunatic" in older translations. The Greek word used here is "selēniazomai," which is related to the moon, reflecting the ancient belief in lunar influence.

2. Matthew 17:15 : "Lord, have mercy on my son, he said. He has seizures and is suffering terribly. He often falls into the fire or into the water." This account describes a boy suffering from severe seizures, which some translations refer to as "lunacy." Jesus rebukes the demon causing the affliction, demonstrating His authority over both physical and spiritual ailments.

Cultural and Theological Context:

In the biblical context, conditions described as lunacy were often attributed to demonic influence or spiritual oppression. The ancient worldview did not distinguish between physical and spiritual causes of illness as modern medicine does. Consequently, Jesus' healing of such individuals was seen as a demonstration of His divine power and authority over all creation, both seen and unseen.

The healing of those described as lunatics underscores the compassion of Jesus and His mission to restore wholeness to those afflicted by various forms of suffering. It also highlights the belief in the transformative power of faith and the importance of seeking divine intervention in times of distress.

Interpretation and Application:

From a conservative Christian perspective, the accounts of Jesus healing those with seizures or mental disturbances are seen as affirmations of His messianic identity and His role as the ultimate healer. These narratives encourage believers to trust in God's power to heal and to seek His guidance in addressing both physical and spiritual challenges.

While modern understanding of mental health has evolved, these biblical accounts continue to offer spiritual insights into the nature of suffering and the hope of restoration through Christ. They remind believers of the importance of compassion, prayer, and faith in the face of illness and adversity.Lunatics

(from the Latin Luna , the moon, because insane persons, especially those who had lucid intervals, were once supposed to be affected by the changes of the moon). This word is used twice in the New Testament-- (Matthew 4:24; 17:15) Translated epileptic in the Revised Version.) It is evident that the word itself refers to same disease affecting both the body and the mind, which might or might not be a sign of possession By the description of (Mark 9:17-26) it is concluded that this disease was epilepsy.

On Faith
... I believe this is frequently the case with lunatics. It is observable,
that many of those mentioned in Scripture, who are called ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 122 on faith.htm

An unconscionable time a-dying
... of two: either our creed is in the wrong and we must more indulgently remodel it;
or else, if our morality be in the right, we are criminal lunatics and should ...
/.../stevenson/a christmas sermon/an unconscionable time a-dying.htm

Celts and Celtophiles
... whirlpool of America into which a cataract of Swedes, Jews, Germans, Irishmen, and
Italians is perpetually pouring, is a matter only interesting to lunatics. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chesterton/heretics/xiii celts and celtophiles.htm

Sorrow Turned into Joy
... And I venture to say that, unless the first disciples were lunatics, there is no
explanation of the changes through which they passed in some eight-and-forty ...
/.../sorrow turned into joy.htm

It is the Same in the Case of Girls. ...
... bad for a woman. Yet there is no boy's game, however brutal, which these
mild lunatics have not promoted among girls. To take a ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 41 it is the.htm

And in the Morning of that Day He Went Out Very Early...
... all those whom grievous ills had befallen through divers diseases, and those that
were enduring torment, and those that were possessed, and lunatics, [537] and ...
/.../hogg/the diatessaron of tatian/section vii and in the.htm

Anxieties and Troubles, Friends and Foes
... But Philip managed the servants, arranged all domestic matters, saw importunate
beggars, deftly dealt with various genera of lunatics who came to the Patriarch ...
/.../chapter xxi anxieties and troubles.htm

His Forbearance with Unreasonable Men.
... at these proceedings, and declared their origin to be from the evil one; inasmuch
as these were not the actions of sober persons, but of lunatics or demoniacs ...
/.../the life of constantine/chapter xlv his forbearance with unreasonable.htm

Miracles.
... restored health; some even who were barely alive, being already without consciousness
or the power of speech, were raised up; and all the lunatics, and those ...
/.../unknown/recognitions of clement /chapter lxx miracles.htm

Of the Errors of Certain Philosophers, and of the Sun and Moon.
... this earth. Therefore these lunatics have another moon, to hold forth
to them a light by night, as this does to us. And perhaps ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xxiii of the errors of.htm

Lunatics (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Lunatics (1 Occurrence). Matthew 4:24 And his
fame went out into the whole of Syria, and they brought to ...
/l/lunatics.htm - 6k

Madness (13 Occurrences)
... It is only within the last few years that any provision has been made in Palestine
for the restraint even of dangerous lunatics, and there are many insane ...
/m/madness.htm - 17k

Mad (22 Occurrences)
... It is only within the last few years that any provision has been made in Palestine
for the restraint even of dangerous lunatics, and there are many insane ...
/m/mad.htm - 19k

Lunatick (2 Occurrences)

/l/lunatick.htm - 9k

Necessary (75 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) A privy; a water-closet. 6. (n.) Such things, in respect to infants, lunatics,
and married women, as are requisite for support suitable to station. ...
/n/necessary.htm - 30k

Lunatic (2 Occurrences)
... In Matthew 4:24 "lunatics" are distinguished from demoniacs. In 17:15 the name
"lunatic" is applied to one who is declared to have been possessed. ...
/l/lunatic.htm - 7k

Lunch (1 Occurrence)

/l/lunch.htm - 6k

Demon-possessed (16 Occurrences)
... went forth to all Syria, and they brought to him all having ailments, pressed with
manifold sicknesses and pains, and demoniacs, and lunatics, and paralytics ...
/d/demon-possessed.htm - 10k

Manifold (23 Occurrences)
... went forth to all Syria, and they brought to him all having ailments, pressed with
manifold sicknesses and pains, and demoniacs, and lunatics, and paralytics ...
/m/manifold.htm - 15k

Paralyzed (11 Occurrences)
... went forth to all Syria, and they brought to him all having ailments, pressed with
manifold sicknesses and pains, and demoniacs, and lunatics, and paralytics ...
/p/paralyzed.htm - 9k

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