Christianity and the Spirit and Practice of Healing

Introduction

As shown in the following table, healing is one of the central themes of the gospels presented in the New Testament of the Bible. During his ministry, Jesus healed lepers, blind men, the lame, a hemorrhaging woman, the demon-possessed, and even raised the dead.

In the book of Acts, Jesus involved his disciples in the work of healing. That book contains a number of accounts of healing by Christ's followers. The epistles of Paul also discuss healing as a gift of the Holy Spirit. 

 

New Testament Verses in the Gospels about Healing

Jesus Heals a Leper Matthew 8:1-4; Mark 1:40-45; Luke 5:12-16 Jesus Heals a Roman Officer’s Servant Matthew 8:5-13; Luke 7:1-10 Jesus Heals Peter’s Mother-In-Law Matthew 8:14-15; Jesus Heals the Many Matthew 8:15-16; Luke 4:38-39 Jesus Heals Two Men Matthew 8:28-32; Mark 5:1-20; Luke 8:26-39 Jesus Heals a Paralyzed Man Matthew 9:1-8; Mark 2:1-12; Luke 5:17-26 Jesus Heals a Woman Who Touched His Cloak Matthew 9:20-22; Luke 8:43-48 Jesus Heals the Officials Daughter Matthew 9:18-26; Mark 5:21-43; Luke 8:40-56 Jesus Heals Two Blind Men Matthew 9:27-31 Jesus Heals a Dumb Man Matthew 9:32-33

Jesus Heals Many People Matthew 9:35   The Healing Mission Matthew 10:7-8; Luke 9:1-6   Jesus Heals the Man with the Paralyzed Hand Matthew 12:9-14; Mark 3:1-6; Luke 6:6-11   Jesus Heals a Crowd Matthew 12:15-16   Jesus Heals a Blind and Dumb Man Matthew 12:22; Luke 11:14   Jesus Heals a Woman’s Daughter Matthew 15:21-28; Mark 7:24-30   Jesus Heals Large Crowds Matthew 15:30-31   Jesus Heals an Epileptic Boy Matthew 17:15-18; Luke 9:38-43   Jesus Heals Two Blind Men at Jericho Matthew 20:29-34; Mark 10:46-52; Luke 18:35-43

Background

During the early years of Christianity, physical healing was an integral component of Christian life and faith reflecting God's message of love, compassion, and care. In the 4th century, influenced primarily by Western theologians, Christians began to regard illness as a punishment from God. Over the centuries, spiritual versus physical health increasingly became separate or compartmentalized.

During the Dark Ages and subsequent centuries, an attitude toward faith as an intellectual rather than experiential exercise, further diminished the ministry of healing in the church. By the mid-19th century, people began to reaffirm the relationships between faith and healing. Today, a more holistic, integrated view of health has emerged and many of the faithful have become involved in the Christian ministry of healing. For more detail on the History of Christianity and Healing, go to Encyclopedia.com

Definitions The term spiritual healing is often used to refer to healing solely through spiritual means, rather than through any physical or psychological methods. Spiritual healing often means reliance upon meditation instead of medication, aspiration rather than medication, turning to God and relying on the Holy Spirit and the power of prayer. Modern medicine involves the application of the most effective treatment to diagnose, treat, and care for patients seeking medical help… based on the biomedical sciences, medical research, new surgical techniques, and a variety of other tested therapies, medical technologies, and pharmaceutical solutions. Combine the two approaches to healing and amazing things can happen!

Conclusions & Recommendations

Christian spiritual healing is often seen as healing through faith, prayer, spiritual disciplines, and the dominance of spiritual values in one’s quest for wholeness. However, most Christians also understand that healing is not limited to spiritual methods alone. Spiritual methods often rely on the overlapping use of the physical and psychological methods of healing used in modern medicine.

Christians should absolutely continue to believe in spiritual healing, praying for those who are physically sick, but they should also take advantage of modern medicine and procedures... viewing them as gifts from God. Christians ought to not only avail ourselves of the best modern medicine has to offer, but we should simultaneously pray for the effectiveness of the latest medical treatments, while giving thanks for them.

I resurfaced this article I had previously written because it seems very appropriate as millions struggle today with the decision whether to get vaccinated against COVID-19 during these trying times. Feel free to add your constructive comments.