4 Types of Healing in the Christian Faith

I was angered and distraught as I read an article detailing how a group of people who claimed to believe in God’s healing power withheld insulin from a young diabetic girl. Regrettably, but predictably, she died as they “prayed and sang” over her. 

This is an extreme example of delusion, of course. However, it reminds me that we (especially as people who believe in God) should be careful how we view healing.  Here are 4 ways that healing can be viewed from a Biblical and practical perspective. 

1. Miraculous 

Indeed, God can perform miracles of healing as exemplified in many parts of the Bible. In their beliefs on miraculous healing today, modern Christians range anywhere from extreme Cessationism (there are no miraculous healings anymore) to extreme Continuationism (everything should be miraculously healed). 

I do not subscribe to either extreme but fall somewhere in the middle. I believe God can and does still heal today but I know He does not always (see Paul’s thorn in the flesh in 2 Corinthians 12: 7-10, Trophimus in 2 Timothy 4:20 and Timothy in 1 Timothy 5:23 for examples).

2. Natural

There is a story told of a man stuck on the roof of his house while a flood envelops the neighbourhood. He prays to God to deliver him. 

Later on, a woman in a boat comes along and offers him safety but he refuses because he is relying on God. After this, a helicopter drops a rope ladder down to him but he declines the rescue because he is relying on God alone.  

When the man finally drowns and goes to heaven, he is angry with God for not delivering him from the flood. God replies that He gave the man multiple forms of rescue and the man refused them all.  

God also designs our bodies to heal themselves with the proper cooperation on our part. We seek to live in a healthy manner, we get a cast if we break a bone and we definitely take insulin if we have diabetes. In my case, I take medications designed to bring my brain back closer to where it should be naturally. Even Paul advised Timothy to take medicine (in this case, a little wine) for his many ailments (1 Timothy 5:23). 

Don’t refuse God’s help in the form of medicine and healthcare.

3. Final

The great hope of the Christian is that they will one day be with Jesus fully and completely, in what we call heaven. The Scriptures tells us that in that place and time, 

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4

Here is the ultimate cure; what one songwriter called ‘the final healing’. We  look forward to this day with great hope. 

4. Recovery

Before I wrap this up though, I want to share one more iteration of healing that I have come to find. Some call it “recovery” or “ongoing healing”. This form of healing is especially for those of us with chronic illnesses where there is no complete cure in this life.

Recovery is “a journey toward a meaningful life” despite not being symptom free. Research (*see the Sanctuary course) says it involves:

> Hope in the future

> A positive sense of identity

> Personal responsibility

> Education 

> Engaging in community 

For me, I most often find these things through my faith in Jesus. 

So, take heart. Like the Apostle Paul (2 Corinthians 12), a person who is not fully cured from their chronic illness (or "thorn in the flesh") can still live a meaningful and beautiful life that impacts others for good. We can live in victory despite not being free of all symptoms.

Whatever type of healing we find in this life, let us be careful not to judge those who find it in a different way. Jehovah Rapha (the LORD who heals) brings that healing in more than one form.

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*Note: this article was inspired by a course I’m taking on the intersection of mental health and faith called the Sanctuary Course. 

Driven from Eden

Recently, I’ve been reading a wonderful daily devotional book written by Hebrew scholar, Chad Bird. In each short devotional, he expounds on a specific Hebrew word in the Old Testament and shows how it connects to Jesus Christ in the Greek New Testament. The interplay between the Old and New Testaments is fascinating. 

In this brief article, I want to share one of Bird’s insights into the Hebrew word for “drive out” found in Genesis 3:24:

“He (God) drove out the man (Adam), and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life.”

Adam and Eve expelled from Paradise
By Gustave Dore, 1865

Bird comments: “The Hebrew word for “drive out” is garash. You don’t smile and politely ask someone to leave when you garash them. You kick ‘em in the pants. You shove them out, push them away…”

When Adam and Even rebelled in Eden and ate their way to “the knowledge of good and evil”, God knew He had to do something. While God may have been upset with the first couple, His real reason for “driving” them out was to prevent them from eating of the Tree of Life and living forever in a cursed state. God had better plans for blessing. 

Here is Bird again:

“How surprising, then, that when Mark wrote about the temptation of Jesus, he chose a Greek word that’s the counterpart to garash. He said, “The Spirit immediately drove (Jesus) out into the wilderness.” (Mark 1:12).

Indeed, the Greek verb that Mark chose, ekballo, is used to translate garash in the Greek version of Genesis 3:24. Why? It’s Mark’s subtle way of telling us that Jesus is Adam #2. He’s come to relive Adam’s expulsion, to be driven east of the Jordan. 

There he will be tempted but resist, succeed where Adam #1 failed, and finally return us to the good graces of the Father...” 

This is a beautiful picture of how Jesus has come to redeem us from Adam’s rebellious consequences. Jesus lived a perfect life, died a violent death and rose again from the grave to reverse the Edenic catastrophe. When we turn to the cross of Christ, another “Tree of Life”, we are restored to God. 

In John 6:37, Jesus says, “All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.” 

The Greek word for “cast out” is ekballo, the same word as garash in Genesis 3:24. Once cast out of Eden for our own protection, we are now brought back to God, through Jesus, never to be cast out again! 

Avoiding Spiritual Extremes

 

There’s a Hebrew proverb that goes like this:

“Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.” (Proverbs 4:26-27)

Why not swerve to the left or to the right? It has nothing to do with politics, its because there’s a ditch on both sides of the path and either one will ultimately lead to “evil”.  Joshua 1:7 also tells us to not turn to the right nor the left but stick with the path that the Scriptures prescribe.

When one reads the Bible in its wholeness, we see a principle of avoiding spiritual extremes or “ditches”.  On the one extreme there is legalism, repression and self-righteous morality; on the other side of the spectrum is lust, indulgence and reckless disobedience. Think of the Galatians on one side and the Corinthians on the other. Both extremes are unhealthy and unhelpful. Both lead to evil. 

We also see these two extremes when we read the Parable of the Prodigal Son, which should really be called the Parable of the Two Sons. 

We are probably familiar with the “prodigal” son who insults his loving father by demanding his inheritance early and then spending it all on sinful living. He later comes back in utter humility and repentance to the arms of his forgiving father.

But what about the other son? The older brother who stayed behind faithfully and worked his father’s land? He turns out to be no better than the prodigal but in the opposite extreme. He refuses to forgive his younger brother and becomes angry at his father for showing such grace to him. This brother’s heart was proud, but the father also comes out to the him in grace and love to try and soften his heart.

While the younger brother fell into what we might call the “left ditch” ( or the Corinthian side), the older brother fell into the “right ditch” (or the Galatian side). 

So, what is the proper path between the left and right excesses? What is the narrow way between self-righteous morality and reckless disobedience?  It is walking in God’s grace. The same grace exemplified by the father in the parable (who represented God).

Grace* is the via media between the extremes of the two sons. 

In three places, Scripture tells us that “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (Proverbs 3:34, James 4:6 1 Peter 5:5) 

We see then that humility makes way for grace and the avoidance of these two spiritual extremes. But pride loves extremes, doesn’t it? It loves to pry us from the path of Jesus’ grace.

Whether it’s the arrogance of the younger son, or the haughtiness of the older son, let’s make no mistake, this type of prideful extremism is not honouring to God.

Let’s also be clear that walking in grace is not a compromise of our beliefs: it is, instead, the fullest and most beautiful expression of our beliefs. Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ and we must walk in his way.

Here is a personal confession: I am an extreme type of person. Like the pendulum on a clock, my tendency is to swing to the extremes, rarely resting in the middle. For me, usually it’s the “right ditch” I fall into, but not always.

I often pray that the Lord would keep me from extremes; that He would help me “ponder my path”. Join me in praying that He would deliver us from all forms of pride and lead us in the way of grace.

* Grace is God's unmerited favour towards us. It is receiving something we did not deserve and could never earn. 

“The redeeming work of Christ and the righteousness He won for us, equally with the work of the Spirit in us and the power of the new life He brings, are spoken of as “grace”.  Andrew Murray

Gentle Men: Why Gentleness Makes Us Masculine

“I am gentle and lowly in heart.” Jesus Christ

While the term ‘gentleman’ has historically referred more to being well-bred then well-mannered, today we often see it as a compliment of a man’s character. Indeed, as far back as 1714, Sir Richard Steele wrote, 

“The appellation of Gentleman is never to be affixed to a man’s circumstances, but to his Behaviour in them.” 

However you define gentleman, the Bible makes it clear that gentleness is one of the greatest attributes of a man (or anyone, for that matter). Some men might misunderstand the term and balk at ‘gentleness’ being used to describe them. 

But, Gavin Ortlund, one of my favourite theologians, defines gentleness this way, 

"Gentleness is not weakness: it is strength under control."

As men, we are to protect the weak and vulnerable and treat them with gentleness. As men, we are protected by God and treated with gentleness, because in his presence we are the weak and vulnerable ones. Even the Apostle Paul was compelled to say that God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). 

As I get older, I am more and more convinced that the voice of God to us is gentle and kind. The still small voice spoken to Elijah can also be translated as a “gentle whisper” (1 Kings 19:11-13). Charles Spurgeon once preached that, “Softly and gently works the Holy Spirit.” So then, our voice and actions to others must also be gentle and kind. 

If we need more Scriptural proof that men are called to be gentle as well as strong, let us consider these passages:

> Jesus Himself, the God-man, describes his own heart (the very centre of who he is) as gentle and lowly (Matthew 11:29, 2 Corinthians 10:1).

> One of the nine fruits of the Spirit is gentleness (Galatians 5:23).

> Paul taught believers everywhere to be gentle (Ephesians 4:2, Colossians 3:12, Titus 3:2). 

> Paul describes how the Apostles treated the Thessalonians as an exhorting and encouraging father as well as a gentle “nursing mother” (1 Thessalonians 2:7, 11-12). 

> A qualification for a church leader (Bishop, Elder etc.) is gentleness (1 Timothy 2:7).

> One of the characteristics that a ‘man of God’ should pursue is gentleness (1 Timothy 6:11)

> The wisdom from above is gentle (James 3:17).

We also learn that gentleness is required when:

> Attempting to restore a brother or sister to the faith (Galatians 6:1)

> Sharing the gospel or defending the faith with reverence (1 Peter 3:15).

> Correcting an opponent with the hope of leading him to repentance (although a sharp rebuke is sometimes necessary as well - 1 Timothy 2:25, Titus 1:3)

Gentleness is prescribed throughout the Bible including these two proverbs:

“A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.” Proverbs 15:4

“Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.” Proverbs 25:15

The Lord is calling us to be not just gentlemen but gentle men; to use our strength for good. May we pursue this virtue so that we can say with King David, 

“You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your right hand supported me, and your gentleness made me great.” Psalm 18:35

Healing What's Within (Book Recommendation)

“Healing What’s Within: Coming Home to Yourself--and to God--When You're Wounded, Weary, and Wandering”

I want to take a moment to seriously recommend this book to any friends and family who might be interested. It was written by a psychologist who is also a pastor. Here’s a bit from the back of the book:

“So many of us carry a weight of buried pain. We may appear strong and resilient, but inside a storm brews from all the ways we’ve been hurt or harmed. Little by little, we become disconnected from who we truly are, learning to cope, to numb and suppress the ache within to keep us from suffering… (but) it’s never too late to start healing. God’s heart is always ready to help you find your way home.” 

A few things to mention:  

This is coming from a Christian perspective but I think it could be a remarkable guide to all people. 

Some of my more conservative friends might find a few parts that they think are “flaky”. I did too at first but I want to tell you this book really helped me. If it helps, view this book as a watermelon – if necessary, spit out some seeds but take advantage of all the remaining good fruit!

As I read through this book, I was constantly hit with new thoughts about a person's healing journey. I would even say that there were some personal epiphanies that have really benefitted my emotional and spiritual health.  

Consider, as the new year approaches, if this is a book that could help you “heal what’s within”. 

Purchase the book here.

Preview the book here.

“The spirit of man is the lamp of the LORD, searching all his innermost parts.” Proverbs 20:27