Paul the Anargyros: History, God-talk, and Ecumenism in the Healing Praxis of Dr. Paul Farmer

Abstract

Paul Farmer’s theological praxis took life at the intersection between the Gospel parable of Matthew 25:31-46, central to liberation theology, and his concern for historically responsible action “at the margins” of anthropology and medicine. The sui generis power of Farmer’s praxis was further shaped by his cultural humility, ecumenicity, and humor. This essay suggests, somewhat playfully, the image of Paul as an anargyros, one of those inexplicable and often idiosyncratic religious physicians of (mostly) Christian antiquity who refused money for their medical services, treating all in need in an ethic of equitable entitlement. Drawing on Paul’s well-known avoidance of god-talk, even in discussing liberation theology, this essay highlights the role of the anargyros in pragmatic religious pluralism, and the vital importance, emphasized throughout Farmer’s work, of a philosophy of health justice that is rooted in understanding and learning from subaltern voices in the historical narrative.