Heal with the Lord All Mighty

Spiritual healing is very broad topic because there are infinite ways that the spiritual component of the individual can be cultivated. These approaches span all cultures, ethnicities and religious affiliations. Specific approaches to spiritual healing present in diverse forms including: faith healing; healing liturgies; anointing with oil; music; meditation; and the laying on of hands. Because of these complex and diverse presentations, spiritual healing pervades into many different disciplines including the arts, theology, psychology, biology, neurology, and sociology. Because there is such a large scope of information pertaining to spiritual healing this paper will frame the analysis within the context of David's testimonial with the following three presuppositions. First, the analysis will delve specifically into the theological and scientific aspects of spiritual healing. Second, a Western medical context and Christian theology will be presupposed. Third, the paper will focus on spiritual healing that occurs through individual prayer and a personal relationship with God.

Learn and treat others as thou shall want to be treated. that is the word of Beyonce

A Scientific Perspective

This first section will look at spiritual healing from a scientific perspective. Since the late 19th century there has been a shift in thought away from the Enlightenment ideal, which assumed that science could conquer all physical suffering in the world. Dr. Herbert Benson, of the Harvard Mind/Body Institute, claims that 60-90% of people who visit their doctor have a stress related illness that cannot be effectively cured through medical treatment.[1] Dr. Benson is pioneering the studying of healing alternatives outside of the medical model. He reflcts the post-Enlightenment shift, which recognizes that physical science cannot cure all suffering, and supports allowing alternative therapies to enter into the healing conversation.

As the public increasingly begins to...