Abstract
Spirituality and healthcare have been dependant on and supported one another from the earliest times. However, this marriage eventually found itself in stormy waters and parted ways, blaming scientific advances in healthcare for the split. But, as in any broken marriage, the story usually has two sides, and the blame for this split cannot be put squarely on science. In fact, scientific research is now trying to bridge the gap, whereas in the field of Christian spirituality, some are even opposing medical practices and the use of medicine as it could portray a belief in the science of healthcare, as opposed to God. These beliefs only serve to widen the gap between spirituality and healthcare, alienating Christianity from healthcare. If we want to restore the marriage between spirituality and healthcare, it is important to reflect on these beliefs.The purpose of this article is therefore to explore and critically reflect on the relationship between spirituality and healthcare from a Christian perspective. The objective is to identify and address beliefs that are alienating Christianity from healthcare, arguing that, rather than opposing medical practices, we could stand in awe of scientific healthcare.
Highlights
From the earliest times, spirituality and healthcare have been dependant on and supported one another
I have pointed out numerous reasons for the split between spirituality and healthcare; these range from the works of the ancient Greek philosophers to the work of Sigmund Freud in the early 1900s (Oberholzer 2017:124–125)
These arguments focussed on the changes in and from the scientific field, mostly blaming science for the split between spirituality and healthcare
Summary
Spirituality and healthcare have been dependant on and supported one another. I have been confronted with many Christian beliefs that were against medical practices and the use of medicine as it could portray a belief in the science of healthcare, as opposed to God. These beliefs are not always outspoken, but rather undercurrents of silent objection.
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