I take exception to the dichotomy between Christian healing and presumably
non-Christian healing. There are, of course, dangerous quacks and
misleading theories but basically we must avoid such dichotomies.
The Founder of the Iona Community wrote 15 theses about "divine healing"
which remain unpublished. I would draw attention to the first two as they
set out an openness to healing which is refreshingly modern for statements
made 40 years ago.
George MacLeod quotes Ambroise Pare:- "I dressed his wounds and God healed
him". This statement is important because it lays down the foundations
for his future openness to other kinds of healing. His second statement must
be quoted in full:-
"God does not will anybody to be ill; hence He must will all to be well,
and it is not necessary to add, "if it be Thy will" to any prayer for
health." [italics added]
The 'must' in the above has been substituted for 'cannot', but nevertheless
'must' emphasises his very valuable point about the textual ending of
prayers for healing. Many people would be astonished by his injunction
against committing such prayers to God's will. If God's constant will is
for health; it cannot be his will that anyone should suffer sickness.
George shows in the rest of his theses how many forms of social action and
different forms of healing fulfil God's purpose of health.
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Rev'd Dr W Graham Monteith
20/3 Grandfield
Trinity
EDINBURGH EH6 4TL
+44 (131) 552 2564
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