A Christian Perspective On Health -- By: Michael W. Firmin

Journal: Journal of Ministry and Theology
Volume: JMAT 12:2 (Fall 2008)
Article: A Christian Perspective On Health
Author: Michael W. Firmin


A Christian Perspective On Health

Michael W. Firmin

Professor of Psychology

Milton E. Becknell

Associate Professor of Psychology
Cedarville University, Cedarville, Ohio

The research literature indicates that the topic of health is important to contemporary Americans. Lifestyle issues play a salient role in physical health, and Christians are as prone to health consequences for imprudent lifestyle choices as are non-Christians. With this as a backdrop, we identify nine principles that the Bible teaches regarding Christians’ physical health. From this theological standpoint, we suggest four particular applications that pastors may wish to consider relative to effective ministry in their congregants’ lives.

All human beings were irrevocably affected by the fall, the consequences including a propensity to sin as well as a susceptibility to morbidity and mortality. In some cases, it may be the sin (proper) that actually contributes to morbidity and mortality. For decades, the World Health Organization has defined health as “a complete state of physical, mental, and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”1 The emphasis is on acquiring a balance between the physical, mental, and social domains—because health, aptly understood, is more than just an absence of illness. Indeed, an optimum state of health often is referred to as “wellness.” When one’s health or wellness fails, however, many other life issues quickly pale in contrast. Yet, in modern American culture, style of living has left society vulnerable to a plethora of health problems.

The Mind-Body Relationship

Our current understanding of health and illness is inextricably linked to the perception of the mind-body relationship. For centuries, experts have not reached a consensus on this relationship, especially whether the mind and body are part of the same or separate systems. The pattern of thinking about this important relationship has an interesting past because from ancient times to the present, we seemingly have come full circle in our beliefs regarding how the mind and body are related.2 For example, early civilizations intuitively knew that the mind and body were somehow connected, but as scientific thought advanced, researchers shifted away from that perspective. In contrast, modern Western medicine is built on the traditional biomedical model of health and illness which gives primacy to the body and essentially ignores the mind.3 Nonetheless, growing e...

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