THE BIBLE AND THE PHYSICIAN

Recently a friend told me that Christians are backward because they believe that God would cure their diseases and that they reject the services of doctors and medical science. In order to strengthen the argument I was shown a news clip showing how a Christian couple killed their child by prayer (that is praying for a cure instead of giving medical attention).

This left me baffled because I live in a town where there are two hospitals, one run by the Roman Catholic Church and the other by the Syrian Orthodox Church. If Christians didn’t believe in doctors and medical science, why would they be running hospitals and medical institutes?

But the news clip left me disturbed. Why did a child have to die in the name of Christianity? Is it said in the Bible that you must reject the doctor and turn only to God if you are ill?

I turned to the Bible for advice. After all, it is the most easily accessible and reliable source of information regarding Christian theology. So what does the Bible have to say on the matter?

The Book of Sirach ( Ecclesiasticus or the Preacher,28^th book in the Bible ) Chapter 38 Verses 1-15 cleared my doubts and left me enlightened. It is as follows:

“38: CONCERNING PHYSICIANS AND HEALTH

Honour physicians for their services, for the Lord created them;

For their gift of healing comes from the Most High, and they are rewarded by the king.

The skill of physicians make them distinguished, and in the presence of the great they are admired.

The Lord created the medicines out of the earth, and the sensible will not despise them.

Was not water made sweet by a tree in order that its power might be known?

And he gave skill to human beings that he might be glorified in his marvelous works.

By them the physician heals and takes away pain;

The pharmacist makes a mixture for them. God’s works will never be finished; and from him health spreads all over the earth.

My child, when you are ill, do not delay, but pray to the Lord, and he will heal you.

Give up your faults and direct your hands rightly, and cleanse your heart from all sin.

Offer a sweet smelling sacrifice, and a memorial portion of choice flour, and pour oil on your offering , as much as you can afford.

Then give the physician his place, for the Lord created him; do not let him leave you, for you need him.

There may come a time when recovery lies in the hands of the physicians,

For they too pray to the Lord that he will grant them success in diagnosis and in healing, for the sake of preserving life.

He who sins against his Maker will be defiant towards the physician. “

After reading this passage I am sure you have no doubt regarding the Christian stand on the matter.

But if you need further proof I would like you to remember Jesus’ answer to the devil in Luke Chapter 4.

‘It is said, “ Do not put the Lord your God to test.” ‘

Testing God is a sin.If you have an illness and it is medically possible to cure it and the cure is accessible and affordable, then by all means you must take the help of the doctor. Rejecting the doctor and turning solely to God amounts to testing him.

So does that mean praying when you are ill is useless?  Not at all. It is widely accepted (even by doctors)   that a patient’s mentality is important during treatment. This is where prayer plays an important role. Prayer gives patient’s the mental strength to fight the disease. In many critical situations, this is what makes the difference between life and death. Prayer gives man hope and courage to live through the disease and thus aiding in a faster recovery.

Sometimes tragedies do happen because of religion. But they are caused by a lack of true understanding of one’s own religion or due to the manipulation of religious teachings by vested interests. Let us share the Word to prevent the repetition of such tragedies.