Once the decision has been made to embrace the medical model of health care, the task of the church is to identify and define authentic health and healing ministries. By what criteria does the church use? Evans says there are several levels depending on the church’s theological viewpoint. Some use complementary health care and others stay within the traditional allopathic medicine, thus viewing the complementary and energy healers with skepticism (p. 51). However, faith and prayer is viewed as a type of spirituality in the complementary practice. Some Christians are concerned that alternative medicine uses Eastern medicine with its religion, which is against the Judeo-Christian belief. The author quotes from various writers and their research on faith healing. This includes questions about a patient’s view of God, and their feelings of religious guilt and other spiritual issues. Because of the increase in a form of spirituality, healings using faith is making resurgence in the medical field. Evans quotes John Fitzpatrick who points out Kathryn Kuhlman as one who healed people based on faith but then the people relapsed due to their supposed lack of continuing faith (p. 54). Faith and hope are essential to create the emotional and psychological changes for healing. Traditional Protestant churches are clear in what is and what is not considered faith healing. However, …show more content…
The first issue is to have faith for spiritual healing not physical healing, which is similar to the Gnostics. Second, faith can be turned from God as the source to the person for healing. Third, faith in the right proportions with lots of prayer and other spiritual exercises do not need doctors. Fourth, anyone with enough faith can be cured. Fifth, faith healing is usually outside of the normal worship service which brings a disconnect from the normal church life. Last, God becomes an errand boy for our requests instead of the