![]() Obstetrics and Gynecology: words of encouragement. (Both the number seven and the Jordan have special powers throughout the Bible.) However, the story is a tribute to the power of the Hebrew God, not any general prescription for healing. In one story, a foreign military leader Naaman gets rid of his skin disease after dipping seven times in the Jordan River on the advice of the seer Elisha. ![]() Treatment of skin wounds may include the use of bandages and soothing balms, but most cures recorded in the biblical texts are faith healings. In a second ritual the patient is sprinkled with blood that has had a scarlet string, hyssop, and a live bird dipped in it. Later, the priest finalizes the healing process by killing two lambs or doves: The priest is to take some of the blood of the guilt offering and put it on the lobe of the right ear of the one to be cleansed, on the thumb of their right hand and on the big toe of their right foot (Leviticus 14:14). They must live alone they must live outside the camp. Such infections must be diagnosed by a priest: Anyone with such a defiling disease must wear torn clothes, let their hair be unkempt, cover t he lower part of their face and cry out, ‘Unclean! Unclean!’ As long as they have the disease they remain unclean. Two chapters of Leviticus are dedicated to assessment and treatment of visible skin infections, which, given the descriptions, might include skin cancers, leprosy, cystic acne, or psoriasis. Based on the level of detailed attention it receives in the Bible, dermatology might appear to be the most important medical specialty. If there were any room to doubt, a quick overview of biblical health care is a great reminder why Abrahamic religion should not be dictating national health policy.ĭermatology: quarantines and dove blood. Like prescriptions against homosexuality, Hebrew and early Christian health practices appear to be shaped largely by surrounding cultures and the “ yuck factor.” Unfortunately, healthcare in the Bible, perhaps more than any other topic, reveals the authors to be men of their time-the Iron Age. By contrast, King Hezekiah prays when he falls ill, and Yehovah adds fifteen years to his life.įor those who don’t want simply to pray and wait, the Bible does actually prescribe or describe a variety of healing practices. In Chronicles King Asa, who has a severe foot ailment, is held up as a bad example for seeking help from physicians and not from God. Healings come from prayers, rituals of repentance, and miraculous intervention. Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up ( James 5:14-15). ![]() Just what does God want (other than for modern contraceptives and abortion to be inaccessible to women?) Throughout the Bible, both Old Testament and New, physical health is largely a spiritual matter. With an inerrant Bible and church leaders who channel the Almighty, conservative Christians are convinced that they know what God wants.
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