Thanks to both John and Ray for your responses to my question on New Age
healing. I found them both very interesting and helpful. I also found it
interesting that you both took a pragmatic view with regard to the question
of whether it mattered if the spiritual principles and theories behind New
Age therapy were "theologically orthodox" (whatever that actually means!).
"If it brings relief from suffering then it must have something worth
listening to" might sum up the essence of your conclusions. Personally I
would, to a large extent, agree with both of you on that point. However, if
I can return to Shelly and Miller's argument, (which, as John correctly
points out, is not atypical of many conservative evangelical approaches to
the New Age), they suggest that the consequences of using such
"alternative" therapies can be more serious than they  might at first
appear. "While some alternative therapies are just common sense - good
nutrition, rest, relaxation, human touch - many of these therapies can lead
those who practice them into idolatry...Christians may let down their guard
when they see patients respond positively to various complementary
approaches." (p.182)  The unspoken implication here is that, perhaps it is
better to suffer than to risk one's salvation by dabbling in areas that may
appear to be bringing relief, but are really leading people into dark
places. My own opinion is that there is a lot that the Christian church can
learn from the healing practices of complementary medicine. Whilst the
temptation to caricature is obvious in many works such as the one I am
bringing to your attention, there is a good deal of genuine concern over
the types of issues raised by Shelly and Miller. Constructive dialogue
around these issues is vital, but challenging at a number of levels.

What do you think? Does "dabbling" in alternative medicine "threaten a
person's salvation?"

John


Dr. John Swinton.
Department of Divinity with Religious Studies
King's College
University of Aberdeen
Aberdeen
AB24 3UB
Tel (direct line): +44 (0)1224 273224 (+ voicemail after 7 rings)
Fax: +44 (0)1224 273750
Email: [log in to unmask]



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