"FAITH AND HEALTH WITH A KEY TO THE SCRIPTURES"

 

The founder of the religion of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, wrote a "bible" for the movement entitled "Science and Health with a Key to the Scriptures." In Benoni, we have had discussions with proponents of this religion. Today, I wish to adapt that book title to the thoughts of the day. The subject under consideration today is, "Does your faith make you whole?" In Christian Science theology, "right thinking" keeps you free from disease. Disease is an illusion to them and they claim that changing your attitude makes it go away and stay away. They have no use for regular medical doctors. One such family, whom I debated, secretly took their child with measles to a medical doctor when they did not recognize the symptoms of the disease. The high fever of their child scared them into this "inconsistent" action. They had no answer for their dubious inconsistency.

 

During his earthly ministry when Jesus used miracles to establish his bona fides (his credibility that he was God-incarnate), he said periodically but not consistently, "Thy faith hath made thee whole!" Matthew 9:22 (ASV). On one occasion, Jesus said to the Syrophoenician woman, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted," Matthew 15:28. Though tempted to discuss those remarks in depth, I shall refrain while rather considering evidence of the impact of faith on health. Does believing in Jesus make a difference in fending off or coping with sickness? 

 

Periodically newspaper journalists confirm that thesis. A recent article to come across my desk revealed the results of a clinical, non-religious, unbiased study of this subject conducted at Duke University. Here is what Carlina Villalpando (Hill Country Life, June 4, 2008) reported:

The social-scientists are unanimous in one conclusion: "faith does have very clear benefits on mental health, including less anxiety and depression, which can be attributed with a 'coping mechanism' that helps them deal with problems such as anger management, unforgiveness and grief."

 

Obviously, Biblical living promotes a healthier lifestyle, but the knowledge that God watches over his children of faith who pray to him through Jesus promotes both healing and/or relief from suffering. Sometimes God delivers us from death; other times He delivers us by death, see Acts 12:2, 11. Our human bodies have not been made to last forever, Psalms 90:10. To make our bodies last the course, we need to practice, (a phrase I am coining) "Physiological Ecology." Paul says we should "feed and care" for our human body as Christ does the church," Ephesians 5:29. Biblical physiological ecology!! The body has a limited, God-ordained life-span. We are born, we exist and then...we die. That's nature. That's natural. That's the way God ordained it. Eternal life is only in the spiritual dimension. Our bodies are divinely programmed for "the faith factor." Even "misdirected" faith has benefits for that is how we have been programmed. To ignore, deny or reject "faith" means to lay down defenses against illness and surrender to malevolent forces of nature. Keep the faith and the faith will keep you! Note, too, how important church attendance is in the whole regime! Don't neglect it. Attending all the assemblies will take about 4 hours a week. That is only 2.3% of your time per week. Is God asking too much? If nothing else, just look what it will do for your health!! (It is better than going to the gym regularly! 1 Timothy 4:7-8).

Love you all,

Al--"the Horne of Africa."

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