Taking Every Thought Captive –Alternative Medicine

By Contributing Writer, Jeannette Paulson

I may envy George Washington his courage, perseverance and  faith, but I do not envy him his medical care.   I mean, blood letting for a sore throat….   I would prefer the illness to that cure, as Washington would have too–if he had lived!

The writers of Examining Alternative Medicine  urge us to remember that it is only for a few generations that we’ve enjoyed the superb medical care we have.  Much of history’s medical interventions reads

“as a long procession of fanciful theories, gods and demons to be summoned or warded off, potions, nostrums, extravagant concoctions, rituals and, worst of all, frequently harsh treatments: bleeding, purging, poisoning, drilling holes in the skull and any other abuse that someone wearing the mantle of authority might conjure up as a possible remedy for disease–provided, of course, that the poor patient could survive it.”

Christian authors Reisser, Mabe and Velarde, two doctors and a philosopher, argue that the scientific method (with experiments that can be observed, tested and repeated) has been a great blessing. Science has Biblical roots originating in the belief that there is a rational Creator who calls us to investigate creation.

Amazingly, we can actually discover true truth about how one physical substance affects another.  Christians, of all people, should be suspicious of unsubstantiated claims for remedies based on anecdotal evidence.  Worse yet, we may be opening ourselves to worldviews that are hostile to the Bible.

Western medicine, contend the authors, with its “intellect and technology” may have lost some “heart and soul”; but alternative medicine with its heart and soul “all too frequently seems intent on abandoning reason and common sense.”  So how shall we weigh the risks and benefits of alternative medicine?  I can not do justice to the thoughtful and thorough work of these men in a short review, but here are their categories for judging the various practices:

• Category 1: “Reality-Based Practices”  These are able to be subjected to the scientific method.  To take just one example,  the actual physiological mechanisms  at work from vitamins and herbs can be tested. Germany especially has done some excellent work in this area, being able to measure safe dosage.  Massage, chiropractic and acupuncture can fit into these categories.

• Category 2:” Leaps of Logic”  These give lip service to principles of biology, physics and physiology but then veer off into irrationality. Some diets, supplements and magnetic therapies make outrageous claims that cannot be substantiated.

• Category 3: “Everything You Know is Wrong”   This takes a radical turn from principles of biology and includes traditional Chinese medicines with its ‘life energy’ concept. These have no basis in reality and are mostly rooted in pagan or pantheistic (“all is one”) worldviews.

1. Category 4: “Invading the Supernatural”  These practices enlist the help of supernatural forces in healing.  Unless it is God doing the healing, it is demonic.

In the epilogue, the authors impart this wisdom:

• Learn how your body works.
• Learn to distinguish a Christian worldview from a pagan one (see, for example, James Sire’s The Universe Next Door).
• Taking herbs and supplements is no sin, but don’t believe every claim made for them.
• Stay clear of practices that claim to direct invisible “life energy.”
• Learn Christian meditation (I suggest reading about Puritan meditation here.)
• Do aerobic exercise.
• Use medical services wisely.

The Bible commands us to take every thought captive to obey Christ.  This obligates us to examine everything — including alternative medicine.  One tool my husband and I highly recommend is this book.

{Good News!  Because this book is no longer in print, the authors have graciously made it available as a FREE download.  Go HERE to get your copy!}