It is no fluke that Jesus was called the Great Physician, and it is no accident of history that every charity hospital in the world can be traced back to Judeo-Christian teachings, philosophy and traditions. Some historians trace the western emphasis on health and healing to famous Greek leaders such as Galen or Hippocrates. However, the primary impetus for the strong healing tradition in the West comes from Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus is said to have "Gone about doing good, healing the sick, cleansing the lepers, casting out evil spirits, and raising the dead."
I am a Clinical Counselor by training, but I am deeply interested in the healing ministries of churches. To use the words healing and counseling or therapy is redundant. They each find roots in the same Greek term. To do therapy is to heal, and to heal is a therapeutic act. Each has the same motivation and purpose and is the highest expression of the Christian life. In fact, it is so important that the term salvation also comes from that same root word.
Jesus was called "The Great Physician" yet few churches today have healing ministries or even refer to healing except when they send someone to a Doctor. Why have so many Pastors and churches stopped doing what Jesus did and said to do? I think a major reason comes from the "Secular Humanist World View" that dominates us,including our Pastors and Seminaries.
A Secular Humanist World View believes that: "The universe operates on a uniformity of natural causes is a totally closed system". If I believed that all of life can be explained by natural causes then I too would refuse to pray for the sick, try to evangelize or have hope that God's love can change people.
Why do you think so few of our churches actively pursue healing with prayer?
1 comment:
I think it is because rituals, hierarchy, and status-quos distract. When I am not distracted, I experience Christlike healing. I've been healed of 2nd degree burns on half of my face, solely through prayer to God, Love. I also did not need the surgery they were preparing me for. This healing compelled me to revised "Science and Health" written by Mary Baker Eddy in the 19th century. The revision, "21st Century Science and Health" is read by "spiritual, not religious" people. From "21st Century Science and Health", "Divine Science [explaining Christlike healing] has already come after the manner of God’s appointing, but the churches don’t seem ready to receive it. Scriptures say, 'He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.' Jesus once said: 'I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.' The spirit of Christ, which takes away the rituals and doctrines of human beings, is not accepted until their hearts are made ready for it."
Good article, good question, Gary.
www.HealingScienceToday.com
Cheryl Petersen
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