REAL HEALTH CARE

In an attempt to unite “western medicine” with “eastern medicine” I offer the following definition of “health care” using terms from the Bible. People who are genuinely trying to relieve the suffering of others are already fulfilling Jesus’ one and only commandment, and the Holy Spirit is already operating in and through them. The obstacle (as always) is that both the patients and caregivers are less than perfect, and He can only do His Best in any given situation.

I suggest that the “renewal” of the mind is not some abstract, esoteric soundbite, but that the Holy Spirit is at work teaching each human mind to “yield”, both in accepting what is true and in rejecting what is false. This is the work of “re-pentance” or “re-thinking our beliefs” Along the way, the individual begins to realize that their minds are not just thinking different thoughts, but they are being directed to notice things, pay attention to things, and make decisions differently. This is having “the Mind of Christ”.

In the same way, “illness” is a body striving for perfect health in spite of all the obstacles thrown at it and in it, using the organs and chemicals provided under the direction of the Holy Spirit. Restoring a person’s physical health is a little bit different from renewing their mind – others can set a broken bone in a cast, but the “resurrection” must come from within. Again, this whole process is best described as the Holy Spirit teaching the human body to “yield”, much like long distance runners who work their bodies relentlessly to teach them how to “get a second wind” (where the Holy Spirit is doing all the work). This would explain the strengthening of the “immune system” through constantly overcoming challenges to a person’s health. Without the challenges there is no defensive ability – the body has to “learn” to defend itself, and the Holy Spirit is the teacher. Science recognizes the existence and purpose of this process, but has no language to explain it, they just give it a name.