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March 2001, Page 9.
Index of articles.
Healing:
index,
A time to heal,
Homeopathy?
Joy's reply,
Sick visiting.
In this issue:
(March 2001)
Vicar's Letter,
Manifesto,
Sidesmen,
Vision,
Healing,
Question.
Medical science or paganism?
I read with interest John's "question shot" in January's Link, firstly, because I enjoy reading his answers. Secondly, as a medical practitioner I am concerned about many of the therapies known as "alternative medicine", as I believe their origins are not always wholesome.
As Christians we believe there is a spiritual realm as well as the natural. The Bible shows God as our healer and He is still healing people today. The devil is able to mimic healing - not all miracles are God's work. We have to discern the spirit or power behind the healing. A person may find healing by the devil's means, but they pay a spiritual sacrifice - secondary side effects which leave them emotionally or psychologically disturbed. The devil wants to put chains around us, bringing us into bondage. One of the ways people innocently get into the occult is through contact with apparently innocuous "medical" treatments.
Physiotherapy and hydrotherapy are listed as "alternative medicine", and so obviously as a physiotherapist I have to look carefully at what my profession offers. I am content that there is no evil power behind these treatments, andalso aromatherapy and herbal medicines. I do have doubts however about remedies that talk about balancing energies, opening up channels, power release from molecules etc.. I would therefore disagree with Joh regarding acupuncture and homeopathy. Acupuncture, based on the Taoiset religion, says it heals by restoring your "yin and yang" energies which if out of balance causes disease. Twenty years ago acupuncture didn't work well in the west, but as belief in it has increased, it is now easier to use on westerners. Acupuncture does not use nerves, but talks of opening blocked channels or energy lines known as meridians, Homeopathy was started by German doctor Saumel Hannerman, a freemason in the 1780's. He obtained his formulae for the medicines by divination - going into a trance.
This is a practice that is forbidden in the Bible (Leviticuls 19:26). He wrote all his work in a book that homeopathic doctors refer to as their bible. This book has the same motto in the front as freemasonry. The homeopathic "medicine" is acutally only water as the mixture has been diluted 100 times. Science has proven that no molecule of the original mixture is present. Homeopathic doctors say it is the "power" that is released through shaking the solution at each dilution stage that give it its potent energy to heal.
I do agree with John about avoiding "meditation" type therapies. Don't open your mind up to allow a demon to jump in. I also believe the Holy Spirit is stronger and can drive out anything evil that we through ignorance let into our bodies. However I feel we first have to repent of our involvement with anything God shows us is wrong, and ask for his forgiveness. Only after we have confessed can we be forgiven. Then we will know God's forgiveness, healing and restoration.
Finally, I feel that we as Christians should be concerned about this subject. Many people are seeking help from these pseudo medicines, and are being deceived. God doesn't want us to be ignorant of what is happening, but to be aware and to be informed and able to tell people what's really going on in the spiritual realm. We need to share our experiences of God healing us, meeting our needs day by day, and not keep the good news to ourselves. Jesus, the great physician, is on call every moment of the day and night - no appointment is necessary.
Joy Mackenzie.