Does God Still Heal Today? The Story of Jeremiah Johnston’s Son

Yes, God still heals today, and the recent testimony of Christian apologist Jeremiah Johnston and his son, Abel, serves as a powerful reminder that miracles are not just relics of the ancient past. Despite a medical diagnosis of chronic scoliosis and a prognosis that suggested management rather than a cure, Abel’s spine was found to be "as straight as an arrow" after a season of bold, private prayer and faithful medical treatment. This story isn't just about a physical recovery; it is a testament to the reality of the living God working in the lives of families today.

The Weight of a Diagnosis: When Faith Meets Fact

When you are a parent, a medical diagnosis for your child feels like a mountain standing between you and your peace. For Jeremiah Johnston: a respected apologist, author, and speaker: that mountain was named chronic scoliosis. His son Abel, the oldest of his triplets, was diagnosed with a severe curvature of the spine that required intensive treatment at the Scottish Rite Hospital in Texas.

The medical reality was clear. Doctors prescribed a specialized cast that Abel was required to wear for 12 hours a day. However, the specialists were honest: the cast was a management tool. It was designed to keep the curvature from worsening, not to straighten the spine or provide a total cure. In the world of medicine, chronic scoliosis is often something you live with, not something you lose.

For many of us, this is where the spiritual struggle begins. We live in the tension between what the x-ray says and what the Word of God promises. We want to believe in a God who heals, but the clinical data is right there in black and white. Johnston found himself in that exact gap: the space between the "real demands" of a medical crisis and the "Real Jesus" who walked the earth healing the blind and the lame.

The Privacy of Prayer: Why Some Miracles Are Kept Quiet

One of the most striking parts of this story is how the Johnston family handled the journey. In an era where every life event is broadcast on social media, Jeremiah and his wife intentionally kept Abel’s condition private. They didn't launch a public prayer campaign or use the trial for "content." Instead, they shared the news only with their pastor and a tight circle of trusted believers.

They continued the medical treatment faithfully. They didn't abandon the doctors; they partnered with them. But while the cast was on for 12 hours a day, the prayers were ongoing. They leaned into the relationship with God that sustains us when the cameras are off.

There is a lesson here for all of us: your miracle doesn't need an audience to be valid. Sometimes, the most profound spiritual growth happens in the quiet, hidden places of the home. When we seek God's hand for our children or our own health, the goal isn't personal fame or public validation: it’s the glory of Christ and the well-being of the one we love.

The Appointment That Changed Everything

After a season of wearing the cast and persistent prayer, the day of the follow-up appointment arrived. The family returned to Scottish Rite Hospital, expecting, at best, a report that the curvature hadn't progressed.

Instead, the doctors were stunned.

When they examined Abel, they found that his spine was perfectly straight. "As straight as an arrow," Johnston later recounted. There was no medical explanation for why a management cast would result in a total structural correction of a chronic condition. The "management" had been overtaken by a "miracle."

This news broke right around the same time Johnston’s book reached the No. 1 spot on the New York Times bestseller list. Interestingly, the book was dedicated to Abel. Johnston noted the timing wasn't lost on him: the same week the world recognized his work, God recognized his son's physical need. Today, Abel signs copies of that very book, a living, breathing signature of God’s grace.

Does God Always Heal? Navigating the Hard Questions

When we hear stories like Abel's, it’s natural to feel a mix of hope and hurt. You might be thinking, “I prayed for my son, and he didn’t get better,” or “I’ve been asking for healing for years, and the x-ray hasn't changed.”

As an apologist, Jeremiah Johnston is the first to admit that healing is a mystery. We don't have a "miracle remote control" that we can point at God to get the results we want. If we did, God would be our servant rather than our Sovereign.

However, the fact that God doesn't heal everyone immediately doesn't mean He doesn't heal anyone today. Stories like this are meant to be "signs": they point to the reality that Jesus is still alive, still listening, and still has the power to intervene in our physical world. If you are in a season of suffering or waiting, don't let the lack of an immediate miracle turn into a lack of faith.

God’s silence is not His absence. Whether He heals through a doctor, heals through a miracle, or provides the grace to endure, He is still the Great Physician.

Practical Steps When You Need a Miracle

If you are facing a "straight as an arrow" need in your own life: whether it's physical, emotional, or relational: here is how you can apply the wisdom from Abel’s story:

1. Partner with Wisdom: The Johnstons didn't choose between faith and medicine; they used both. Don't feel like you are "lacking faith" because you go to the doctor. Luke, the author of a Gospel, was a physician. God often uses the hands of medical professionals to facilitate His work.

2. Pray with Boldness, Not Entitlement: Pray like the healing depends on God, but trust Him like the outcome is in His hands. Boldness says, "Lord, I know You can." Trust says, "Lord, I know You are good, regardless of what happens."

3. Find Your "Inner Circle": You don't need the whole world to know your struggle, but you do need a few people who will stand in the gap with you. If you are struggling with anxiety or burnout during a health crisis, reach out to a mentor or pastor.

4. Keep the Focus on Christ: Jeremiah Johnston's ultimate goal in sharing this story isn't to talk about his own faith: it’s to point people to the healing power of Christ. When God does move, give Him the credit.

Final Thoughts: Your Story Is Not Over

Abel Johnston is now a healthy boy with a straight spine and a massive testimony. His story serves as "breaking news" for a world that has grown cynical about the supernatural. It tells us that the God of the Bible is not a historical figure trapped in a book, but a living Presence who cares about the curvature of a child’s spine and the cry of a father’s heart.

Your situation may feel chronic. It may feel like you are just "managing" a condition that will never change. But remember: the same God who straightened Abel’s spine is the one who holds your future. He sees you, He loves you, and He is still in the business of doing the impossible.

If you are looking for more resources on prayer, family health, or finding your true north in a difficult season, I encourage you to explore our books and leadership coaching services. You don't have to walk this path alone.

God still heals. He still moves. And He is moving toward you today.

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