Vol. 9, No. 7, 1992

Articles on the New Age

Like New Agers, Christians have a supernatural world-view. That is, both belief systems view humanity as being more than a collection of molecules and cells.

Evangelical Christians also agree with those in the New Age that health and healing can come from outside the natural cause-effect universe.

It could be argued that any Christian who prays for God to supernaturally heal them in effect believes in a spiritual form of alternative medicine.

There are, however, important differences between New Age alternative medicine and the Christian belief in divine healing.

Sickness Is Real

A balanced Christian belief in divine healing does not deny the reality of disease and sickness as is popular in some forms of the New Age.

Science and Medicine Are Compatible

A correct Christian belief in divine healing is not hostile towards traditional medical science as many proponents of New Age Medicine are.

Christians see physicians, traditional medical procedures, and natural health care based on real science as providing additional aspects of truths that have been discovered about God's universe.

Healing's Is God's Choice

A correct Christian view of divine healing sees supernatural healing as a sovereign choice of a personal God and not a result of the sovereignty of man.

The New Age position often views supernatural healing as man's choice through the exercise of his power, techniques, secret knowledge, or belief formula. The New Age focus on the power of man and his supernatural healing system or abilities.

A proper Christian position is to see divine healing as God's choice. God may or may not sovereignly chose to supernaturally heal. But the choice is His, based on His will and power and not the sovereign choice of man. Christians believe in praying in faith to a God who can chose to supernaturally heal. True faith is not activating a technique or formula but having faith and trusting in God's choice.

All Healing Is God's

Christians believe that all healing is the work of God whether directly or indirectly.

God designed the human body to naturally fight disease and sickness. He also provided the wisdom of scientists and doctors to discover medical treatments that utilize the basic laws of anatomy and chemistry that He created.

When a person is healed naturally, through the aid of physicians, or as a supernatural answer to pray, in every case God is to receive the glory. All healing is a work of the grace of God.

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. Psalm 139:14