St Luke's Church Eccleshill - Articles from "The Link"

In our "Questions to the clergy" slot, John will try to answer any query you throw at him, without hesitation, deviation or repetition...

Medical science or paganism?

Q. What do you think about hypnosis, homeopathy, yoga, aromatherapy, acupuncture and all these other alternative medical practices which seem to be based on paganism and eastern religions? Should a Christian use such treatments or avoid them?

A. I’m happy to say that so far in my life I have haven’t needed huge amounts of medical treatments, but I guess that as I get older I’ll start to get more experience!

When we Christians are ill they should ask for prayer and seek medical help. Both. I have met some who think a visit to the doctor shows lack of faith, and others who think God wouldn’t want to be bothered with what a doctor can sort out with tablets. Both these are wrong. God gave us both science and the Holy Spirit, and we ought to ask for help both ways.

I think some alternative medicines really do have a scientific basis, and ought to be used just the same as any other medicine. Acupuncture, for instance, is about restoring the electrical system (the nerves and neurones) to what it ought to be, and used properly I think it is part of the way God designed us to work. Likewise, many homeopathic remedies and aromatherapy oils are basically just medicines made by herbal means instead of industrial ones.

I advise people to avoid therapies which seem to be based on “meditation”. Often this turns out to be an eastern form of meditation which aims to empty the mind so as to relax the body. Yoga and hypnosis are both based on this idea. The problem is that an empty mind is of no use to anyone, and can be very dangerous. The Christian idea of meditation is to empty the mind of distractions so as to fill it with the Holy Spirit, which is an entirely different idea – and a useful part of the Christian ministry of healing.

Finally, I don’t think we should worry too much about this topic. When St Paul was answering a similar question from the church at Corinth, about buying meat which had previously been used in heathen temples, he began by pointing out that the false gods of those temples don’t have any power to hurt Christian believers (1 Cor 8:4). We need to remember the same thing. If we have indulged in meditation and allowed an evil spirit access to our minds, God the Holy Spirit is stronger and is well able to drive out anything evil.

John Hartley

In March 2001 Joy Mackenzie wrote a different view on this question - please read that too!

	*St Luke's Church, Eccleshill - The Link* magazine** The Link is published monthly at 40p (Senior Citizens 35p), and we deliver free within the parish and post copies (at the reader's expense) to those who request it. Please contact us if you would like a free copy for a trial period. January 2001, Page 4.
Home Page. Index of articles. Questions: index, Multifaith, Why marry, Christenings, Mission giving, Homeopathy, Downs baby. Healing: index, A time to heal, Homeopathy? Joy's reply. In this issue: (January 2001) Vicar's Letter, Read the bible?, Question, Quiz answers, Jelley baby.	In our "Questions to the clergy" slot, John will try to answer any query you throw at him, without hesitation, deviation or repetition... Medical science or paganism? Q. What do you think about hypnosis, homeopathy, yoga, aromatherapy, acupuncture and all these other alternative medical practices which seem to be based on paganism and eastern religions? Should a Christian use such treatments or avoid them? A. I’m happy to say that so far in my life I have haven’t needed huge amounts of medical treatments, but I guess that as I get older I’ll start to get more experience! When we Christians are ill they should ask for prayer and seek medical help. Both. I have met some who think a visit to the doctor shows lack of faith, and others who think God wouldn’t want to be bothered with what a doctor can sort out with tablets. Both these are wrong. God gave us both science and the Holy Spirit, and we ought to ask for help both ways. I think some alternative medicines really do have a scientific basis, and ought to be used just the same as any other medicine. Acupuncture, for instance, is about restoring the electrical system (the nerves and neurones) to what it ought to be, and used properly I think it is part of the way God designed us to work. Likewise, many homeopathic remedies and aromatherapy oils are basically just medicines made by herbal means instead of industrial ones. I advise people to avoid therapies which seem to be based on “meditation”. Often this turns out to be an eastern form of meditation which aims to empty the mind so as to relax the body. Yoga and hypnosis are both based on this idea. The problem is that an empty mind is of no use to anyone, and can be very dangerous. The Christian idea of meditation is to empty the mind of distractions so as to fill it with the Holy Spirit, which is an entirely different idea – and a useful part of the Christian ministry of healing. Finally, I don’t think we should worry too much about this topic. When St Paul was answering a similar question from the church at Corinth, about buying meat which had previously been used in heathen temples, he began by pointing out that the false gods of those temples don’t have any power to hurt Christian believers (1 Cor 8:4). We need to remember the same thing. If we have indulged in meditation and allowed an evil spirit access to our minds, God the Holy Spirit is stronger and is well able to drive out anything evil. John Hartley In March 2001 Joy Mackenzie wrote a different view on this question - please read that too!
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