Miracles of healing such as those reported in the Gospels – blind people seeing, the mute speaking, the deaf hearing, the lame walking (eg Matthew 15:30-31) – are regarded as supernatural manifestations of God’s power through his Son Jesus Christ and the apostles, during a special foundational era of the Christian church, and are not expected to occur in the present day.

The emphasis placed on the ministry of healing by more exuberant segments of Christianity, sometimes involving rather unusual practices, together with the lack of clinical confirmation of many alleged healings and miracles, has also contributed to the discrediting of this ecclesial ministry.

What Does the Bible Say?

There is no biblical basis for the belief, present in many churches, that the healing of the sick is a rare event and that the ministry of healing and deliverance is unjustified in contemporary society, which is more educated and informed, and has easier access to healthcare services.

Healing is part of God’s character. In Exodus 15:26 the Lord is called Rapha, the One who heals. In Psalm 103:3 we read: ‘who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases.’ Since his character is eternal and unchanging, this attribute remains present today, and was further enhanced after the coming of Christ and the descent of the Holy Spirit.

In the four Gospels we find reference to 41 healings (or moments of healing) performed by Jesus, which certainly represent only a fraction of those he carried out (cf John 21:25). At the beginning of his public ministry, in the synagogue of Nazareth, Jesus read from the book of Isaiah (61:1-2): ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to proclaim freedom to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.’ (Luke 4:18-19) These words were fully fulfilled in the life of Christ and represent a synthesis of the Lord’s mission (cf Luke 4:21; Acts 10:38).

For some theologians, Christ’s death on Calvary provides not only salvation for all who believe in him but also physical healing. In the messianic prophecy of Isaiah 53:5 we read that ‘by his wounds we are healed’. Indeed, the word “salvation” (sozo in Greek), in its original etymological sense, includes both the forgiveness of sins and the healing of diseases (cf Mark 2:9-11).

The Lord Jesus commissioned his disciples (Matthew 10:1), and later the seventy, to heal the sick and cast out demons (Luke 10:9), making it clear that ‘whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father’ (John 14:12). After Pentecost, the ministry of healing and deliverance continued to be exercised by the apostles and the first believers, as we read in this account from the book of Acts: ‘They carried the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and mats, so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. Crowds also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed’ (Acts 5:15-16). However, it was not only the apostles who performed healings and miracles in the name of Jesus. When the apostle Paul lost his sight on the road to Damascus, God called a believer from that city named Ananias to lay his hands on Paul so that he might see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:17).

We should also reject the idea that illness is a cross that, as Christians, we must bear. Biblical texts that present a positive view of suffering associate it with persecution and tribulations related to the proclamation of the gospel, and not with illness (eg Romans 12:12).

It is true that in the first-century church there are recorded cases in which healing did not occur, such as Epaphroditus (Philippians 2:25-27), Timothy (1 Timothy 5:23), and Trophimus (2 Timothy 4:20). The apostle Paul himself refers to a ‘thorn in the flesh’ (2 Corinthians 12:7), which we do not know whether it was physical, mental, or spiritual in nature, although it is quite likely that he suffered from vision problems (cf Galatians 4:15; 6:11). Only in eternity will we have a full understanding of these matters (1 Corinthians 13:12), but one possible explanation for not experiencing the full manifestation of God’s power on this side of eternity, and for the many failures in prayers for healing, is that the prince of this world and the forces of evil remain active in opposition to the plans of the Lord and the Church. For this reason, we await with expectation the day when Satan and his angels will be destroyed and there will be no more death, disease or suffering (Revelation 12:9-10; 21:3-4).

Conclusion

The extraordinary scientific and technological advances of recent decades in the field of biomedicine have contributed to improved health and increased life expectancy worldwide. We should be grateful to God for this and value the dedicated work of healthcare professionals, many of whom are Christians.

Whenever we make use of healthcare services, we should not feel guilty, as if we were demonstrating a lack of faith, because high-quality healthcare – preferably delivered in a compassionate and humane manner – is a gift from God. However, we must not neglect the spiritual resources to which we have access as children of God, including healing from illness and health problems, whether physical or mental.

God heals today, as he has always healed throughout history, but this fundamental biblical doctrine lay dormant for centuries. In recent years, under the influence of the Pentecostal and charismatic movement, which is open to the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit and the exercise of spiritual gifts, it has been rediscovered by a growing number of Christians around the world, from all denominations.

Having myself experienced God’s healing power in my own life and in the lives of people I know well, I am fully convinced that the time has come for churches that call themselves Christian to fully fulfil their responsibility and mission to pray with confidence and expectation for the healing of the sick. Otherwise, they will not be faithful to the Lord’s mandate: ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptised will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.’ (Mark 16:16–18)

References

Brown, C. G. (2011). Global Pentecostal and Charismatic Healing. Oxford University Press.

Clark, R. (2015). Power to Heal: Keys to activating God’s Healing power in your life. Destiny Image.

Keener, C. S. (2021). Miracles Today: The supernatural work of God in the modern world. Baker Academic.

Johnson, B.; Clark, R. (2011). The Essential Guide to Healing: Equipping all Christians to pray for the sick. Chosen Books.

Raichur, A. (2023). Ministering Healing and Deliverance: Every believer can do this! All Peoples Church & World Outreach.

Trachsel, J.L. (2023). Moving in Miracles & Healing: A supernatural handbook. Destiny Image.

Jorge Cruz, MD PhD (Bioethics) is a vascular surgeon working in Portugal. He’s a member of the national committee of the Portuguese Association of Christian Doctors and Nurses (AEMC).

Three Principles to Guide Us 

One of the challenges of work, positions or ministry roles is that they can easily become our identity, defining us and our lives. To prevent this, we should hold on to three key principles: 

1. It’s Not About Us – What we are involved in is ‘Missio Dei’ – God’s mission, not our own. Every job, role, position and opportunity are part of his mission. We are merely stewards of these responsibilities; they do not belong to us. It’s about God and his Kingdom, not about our roles or titles. 
2. It’s Given to Us for a Season – The Kingdom of God extends far beyond organisations, positions and roles. These are simply platforms or opportunities entrusted to us for a particular season. 
3. We are Expected to be ‘F.A.T.’ – We are called to be ‘Faithful, Available and Teachable’. At the same time, we need to be ‘Flexible, Agile and Transformable’, holding our roles and positions loosely. 

Chris Wright reminds us in his book on missions: “It is not about what I can do for God, but how I can be part of what God is doing in his world.”

Three Perspectives to Hold on to 

1. We are Just One Link in the Chain – We are part of a continuum, connected to those who came before us and those who will follow. Our role is to faithfully receive what has been handed down and pass it forward. 
2. None of Us are Indispensable – While we are uniquely chosen by God, his Kingdom does not depend on any one individual. Our responsibility is to be faithful in our appointed time. We are neither messiahs nor martyrs, so we should avoid falling into the “Messiah/Martyr syndrome” by clinging too tightly to roles. 
3. We Must Prepare to Exit from Day One – Realistically, we should begin preparing for our departure the moment we step into a role. This means identifying and nurturing potential successors. 

In ‘The Last Battle’, the final book of The Chronicles of Narnia, C.S. Lewis closes with this thought: “All their life in this world and all their adventures had only been the cover and the title page: now at last they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story which no one on earth has read: which goes on forever: in which every chapter is better than the one before.” This reminds us to take a long-term perspective on life and leadership transitions. 

Three Practices to Consider

If these are the principles and perspectives, how should we function in our roles? Beyond simply getting things done, here are three key practices for transitioning well when the time comes: 

1. Plan Succession Early – Do not wait until the last minute or the final year. Always be on the lookout for individuals who can be developed for the role. 
2. Define the Required Qualities – Be clear on the skills, experience and character traits needed for the role. That way, when the time comes, you have already laid the groundwork for a smooth transition. 
3. Create Opportunities to Mentor and Take Risks – Invest in potential successors by delegating responsibilities under supervision as early as possible. Be willing to take risks in leadership development. 

Peter Drucker, the well-known leadership coach, once said: “People who do not take risks generally make about two big mistakes a year. People who take risks generally make about two big mistakes a year.” 

This highlights the importance of taking calculated risks in leadership. Just as God took a risk on us, we must do the same for others. 

A 2021 McKinsey article¹ views succession planning as leadership development, emphasising the need for organisations to become “leadership factories” that cultivate individuals to develop these key characteristics:

• Positive Energy & Personal Balance – Developing and protecting the mind, body and spirit. 
• Servant Leadership – Focusing on making the team and others successful. 
• Continuous Learning & Humility – Leaders should not fear taking risks. 
• Grit & Resilience – Remaining steadfast in the face of disruption. 
• Levity – Using humour appropriately, even in serious situations. 
• Stewardship – Seeing oneself as a temporary custodian of an organisation or team. 

The Importance of Preparation

As you go through transition seasons, three preparations are important.

1. Prepare Yourself – Our hearts can be deceptive. Power, positions and roles can define us and become our source of identity and security. Guard your heart and be prepared to let go when the time comes. 
2. Prepare Those Around You – Listen to your team, though you may not always follow their suggestions. Teams often resist transitions because they value stability. However, your responsibility is to be faithful to your calling, even when it requires stepping away. 
3. Prepare Your Successor – If you have identified the next leader, equip them well. Establish open, transparent and effective processes for a seamless handover. 

David Lancefield² identifies four common traps leaders fall into during transitions:

• The Lingering Trap – Struggling to step away. A helpful reminder: “Give up and come in – Give up and go on.” 
• The Adrenaline Trap – Seeking validation through constant activity and success. An advice to remember: “Transition slowly, take time to reflect, and settle into the role well.” 
• The Judgment Trap – Relying too much on past experiences rather than adapting. A Guidance: “Manage change with continuity – Do not hover over or hold on to the past.” 
• The Dogma Trap – Imposing rigid structures that may not fit a new context. An Encouragement: “Keep learning and growing.” 

Do not transition out of restlessness but in the “Fullness of Time” – not because you seek change, but because it is time to move forward. After moving on, live with “Attached Detachment” – stay committed to the vision but detached from the role itself. Guard against “separation anxiety” that can affect your personal journey. 

To live this way, consider Jesus, who modelled it perfectly. Pray, seek wisdom, and draw strength from God and your community of friends and family. 

1. https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/strategy-and-corporate-finance/our-insights/the-art-of-21st-century-leadership-from-succession-planning-to-building-a-leadership-factory
2. https://hbr.org/2024/09/4-traps-to-avoid-as-you-transition-into-a-leadership-role

In my many years of travelling to different countries and teaching with PRIME, I along with many other tutors frequently used a few simple questions in the ‘Whole Person Care’ and ‘Teaching to change Hearts’ courses that constituted some of the core PRIME material.

There is nothing new in this as a teaching technique, of course. It is generally regarded as having been initiated by Socrates some 400 years BC, and was certainly used extensively by Jesus as the Gospel accounts make clear. Asking the right questions opens avenues of awareness and insight that can be powerful stimulants of learning. One of our favourites was:

What are the characteristics of a healthcare professional
you would want to see if you were seeking help when unwell?

Wherever we were in the world, the answers usually described pretty much the same qualities. These included: compassion, availability, competence, a clear communicator, kindness, non-judgemental, a holistic approach, adequate time, a good listener, inspiring trust and hope.

Why should these vary so little between countries and cultures? It is surely that they describe the best of human qualities that should be the foundation of any personal and societal relationships. They are core human values that reveal the image of God in all people, no matter their racial, ethnic or religious backgrounds, and no matter whether they are aware of the Divine within them or not. Sometimes we might ask a further question in plenary after small-group feedback:

Who can you think of in history
who showed these characteristics as a healer?

Most groups would say ‘Jesus’, generally an acceptable role-model to atheists and prophet to our Muslim friends. Simple questions, not just helping healthcare professionals reflect on their values and practice, but potentially developing awareness of the Divine image in which they and their patients are made.

Another useful question under the general aim of resourcing oneself for compassion is:

What helps make you be more compassionate,
and what hinders your compassion?

Replies to this vary much more than to the questions above as they depend more on people’s circumstances and background cultures. However there are some themes which transcend culture, such as enjoying nature, exercise, listening to music, reading good literature and time with friends/family. Also in my experience it would be unusual for at least one person in the group not to say, ‘prayer’ or ‘meditation’, into which further enquiry as to what these look like to the individual citing them may
result in useful and illuminating discussion. So once again, the opening of channels of spiritual awareness
can be facilitated by questions about day-to-day practice and resilience.

Towards the end of the programme we generally had a question like: what are you going to do differently as a result of this course? It is important to get course participants to commit to changed attitudes and behaviour where these have been facilitated by the learning experience. Jesus always emphasised in his teaching (and of course in his behaviour) the need for practical outworking of his words and this question helps learners to focus and commit to particular courses of action.

It is an established tenet of higher education that questions may be more important than the answers
(because they can open the mind and heart to new perspectives and attitudes). Correctly framed, simple
questions can also raise peoples awareness of the Divine within themselves and others, and point to the one ultimate source of compassion in all the universe.

Do you have favourite PRIME questions?

Republished with permission from PRiME Partnerships in International Medical Education.

One of the Christian ministries I am grateful to God for is missionary work. People like myself came to Christ because missionaries brought the gospel to my nation. Leaving one’s own homeland and comfort zone to go, live, and serve among people of different race, culture, language and way of life or uncivilized is a huge sacrifice. The Lord Jesus who said ‘go’ (Matthew 28:19) also talked about the sacrifice missionaries make in leaving behind ‘homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, children and fields.’ (Mark 10:29,30)

What is a missionary?

The Oxford Dictionary defines a missionary as ‘A person sent on a religious mission, especially one sent to promote Christianity in a foreign country.’ An ambassador was interviewed on one TV station and the host asked him: ‘What is an ambassador?’ The ambassador who was full of sense of humour said jokingly: ‘An ambassador is a faithful citizen sent by his government to lie.’ I smiled and said what if a Christian missionary is asked the same question? Would he say, ‘A missionary is a faithful Christian sent by his God and Church to lie?’ No! Christian missionaries carry the good news of salvation to the perishing world! ‘How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news.’ (Isaiah 52:7)

The Apostle Paul spent three years in the province of Asia as a missionary among the Gentiles (Acts 20:31). What lessons can today’s missionaries learn from him? There are many but let’s go for the following seven from the narrative given in Acts 20:17-38.

1. Paul’s life among the Gentiles

‘You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came to the province of Asia. I serve the Lord with great humility…’ (Acts 20:18)

The first lesson is Paul’s life among the Gentiles. The secret behind Paul’s successful ministry among the Gentiles was his life of humility. From the first day he came to them, he put aside his high civilization and education, humbled himself, came down to their level, and treated and served them with respect, kindness and dignity.

2. Paul presented to the Gentiles the Lord Jesus as Saviour

‘I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you... I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus… I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God.’ (Acts 20:20-21, 27)

Paul presented to the Gentiles:

• Repentance and faith in the Saviour Jesus Christ
• Anything helpful
• The whole will of God

Although Paul presented helpful knowledge to the Gentiles, it was the message of repentance, the cross, and salvation in Christ that was central in his ministry. ‘Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified.’ (Galatians 3:1) That is the purpose for which missionaries are sent.

3. Paul paid a price

‘I served the Lord… with tears, severely tested by the plots of the Jews.’ (Acts 20:19)

In addition to the sacrifice of leaving home and comfort zone, another price missionaries pay is risking their very life. Threats, plots, prisons, hardships (see long list in 2 Corinthians 11) are synonymous with missionary work. But Paul’s slogan was: ‘None of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus.’ (Acts 20:24 NKJV)

4. Paul the tent-maker

‘I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing… these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions.’ (Acts 20:33-34)

The missionary landscape is changing. Today, professional tent-makers who go to mission fields as teachers, economists, engineers, healthcare workers, farmers, etc are needed. The advantages of being a missionary tent-maker are:

• Tent-makers are welcomed everywhere even in restricted countries because their skills and services are needed.
• No one would be suspicious of them.
• They support their own ministry financially.

The two hands, spiritual and professional, need to both be functional when called to missionary work (1 Chronicles 12:2).

5. Paul’s time to leave came

‘Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears. Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace.’ (Acts 20:31-32)

After three years of service in the Province of Asia, Paul’s time to leave came. A time comes when missionaries either retire and return home, transition to a new location God calls them to or are called home to heaven through physical death. Any of those three can happen. In Paul’s farewell speech (Acts 20:25-35) he:

• Reminded them of what he taught them
• Admonished them to keep watch over themselves and the flock
• Warned them about appearance of savage wolves that would devour the flock
• Committed them to God and his word of grace.

It is therefore important to develop leaders who will take over and carry the work forward after leaving.

6. Paul left them on their knees praying

‘When Paul had finished speaking, he knelt down with all of them and prayed.’ (Acts 20:36)

Ministry is started and established through prayer and kept, preserved, and continued through prayer. Paul learned from his Master, the Lord Jesus, who in his departure left his disciples on the mountain of prayer. (Matthew 28:16 & Luke 24:50-53)

7. Paul built a strong relationship with the people

‘They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him. What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.’ (Acts 20:37-38)

In the three years Paul lived and served among the Gentiles, a strong bond of love was developed and built between him and the people. We see this in the time of his departure when emotions such as weeping, embrace, kiss, grief, accompaniment to the ship, and kneeling down to pray with him were all expressed to him by the people. This last point is a reflection of the first point. It is all because Paul from the first day he came to them treated them with respect, kindness and dignity.

Building strong and long-lasting relationships also help in building trust and paving the way for future missionaries coming to the community.

Lord, help us to learn from your servant Paul.

What is mental health?

The World Health Organization has defined mental health as a ‘state of well-being in which the individual realises his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community’. Mental health is not just the absence of mental illness; it is associated with one’s well-being, capacity to love, work, relate to others, and find meaning in life.

Mental illnesses can interfere with thinking, perception of reality, and mood, differing from common emotions such as sadness or fear that anyone can experience in their life. They are often caused by a combination of biological, psychological, and social factors and can affect people of all ages, gender, and ethnicity, causing significant suffering to the patient, their family, and the community. Mental illnesses are highly prevalent worldwide, contributing to high rates of absenteeism and early retirement.

The most common mental illnesses globally include anxiety, depression, and those related to alcohol abuse and other dependencies. More severe mental illnesses, although less frequent, include schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia, which may require psychiatric hospitalisation. However, a significant number of people with mental illnesses do not seek help from healthcare services, leading to undiagnosed and untreated cases.

What does the Bible say?

The Word of God acknowledges the influence of the mind on the body. For example, Proverbs 17:22 states, ‘A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones’ (NIV). King David wrote several Psalms expressing his moods, some of which reveal periods of depression (Psalms 22, 31, 42, 88). The prophet Jeremiah, who experienced the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple by the Babylonians, also expressed emotional distress (Lamentations 3:1-2, 6-8, 17-18). However, diagnosing clinical depression in these cases lacks sufficient data, despite depression being one of the most common mental illnesses.

Mental illness, referred to in the Bible as ‘madness,’ was considered a consequence of the disobedience of the Jewish people to God’s will (Deuteronomy 28:28, 34). King David once pretended to be mad to save his life (1 Samuel 21:12-15), but the biblical character most associated with mental disturbance is King Saul. His emotional instability, insecurity, anxiety, anger outbursts, and phases of euphoria and depression resemble patients with bipolar disorder (eg, 1 Samuel 18 and onwards). However, it seems more appropriate to consider Saul’s behaviour as a result of character flaws and disobedience to God, primarily of a spiritual nature.

King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon experienced a phase of madness, behaving like an animal—a rare mental illness known as boanthropy, where the patient believes he is a cow or an ox. In this case, his illness was considered a consequence of God’s punishment for his pride and arrogance, eventually leading to his recognition and praise of the true God (Daniel 4:29-37).

Scriptures also mention occasions when great men of God like Moses, Job, Elijah, and Jonah expressed a desire to die. Prophet Elijah faced profound discouragement and despair when threatened by the wicked Queen Jezebel after defeating and exterminating the prophets of Baal. Divine intervention, promoting rest, food, and hydration, remains a valid therapy in such situations (1 Kings 19:1-8).

Risk factors, protective factors, and warning signs

Several risk factors contribute to mental and behavioural disorders, such as easy access to drugs, alcohol, and gambling; isolation and alienation; exposure to violence, aggression, or trauma; work-related stress or life events (such as death of loved ones); bullying; peer rejection; unemployment; social inequalities (individuals with lower incomes and less education are more predisposed to mental illnesses); lack of social skills; child abuse or neglect; emotional immaturity and lack of control; chronic insomnia; interpersonal conflicts; economic insecurity; loneliness; pathological grief.

Protective factors include positive social interactions, social participation (especially in recreational, cultural, and sports activities), social tolerance, social support of family and friends, good self-esteem, the ability to cope with stress, autonomy, adaptability, mental health literacy, physical exercise and sports, positive parent-child interaction, cognitive stimulation from birth to old age, engaging in enjoyable activities, problem-solving skills, awareness of the meaning of life, knowing God and maintaining an intimate relationship with the Lord.

Some warning signs indicating compromised mental health include sleep-related problems, constant anxiety or tension, mood swings, irritability, withdrawal from people and activities, memory problems, lack of motivation and will, deep sadness and hopelessness, impulsivity, increased alcohol or drug consumption, reduced performance at work or studies.

There is a clear stigma associated with mental illness, which remains a taboo subject, even among Christians. Acknowledging a mental health issue and seeking help from a psychologist or psychiatrist often requires courage and determination, but it may be the only way to diagnose the problem correctly and initiate appropriate treatment for a quick and complete recovery.

How to develop mental health

There are several ways to develop mental health and prevent psychological suffering, including:

• Adopting a healthy lifestyle, including a varied diet low in carbohydrates, regular physical activity, good sleep habits, and avoiding the consumption of alcohol, and tobacco.
• Coping with stress by engaging in activities that bring pleasure and well-being.
• Cultivating positive social relationships by investing time in building healthy relationships and reducing exposure to social media.
• Maintaining a healthy balance between work and personal/family life.
• Developing all dimensions of human existence—physical, mental, social, and spiritual, the latter being related to the meaning of life.
• Seeking professional help when necessary, especially when warning signs are present.
• Forgiving those who have offended, harmed, or mistreated us is undoubtedly one of the most important aspects.

The medicine of forgiveness

Forgiving does not mean forgetting, tolerating, or excusing harmful or abusive behaviours. It is a conscious and voluntary decision, often challenging, resulting in acceptance, inner healing, and emotional liberation. Jesus said, ‘Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven’ (Luke 6:37). The Lord himself set a sublime example of forgiveness. When facing agonising and unimaginable suffering on the cross, he prayed, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing’ (Luke 23:24).

Bishop Desmond Tutu (1931-2021), who chaired the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa, established to investigate human rights violations during the Apartheid era, wrote: ‘Until we can forgive the person who harmed us, that person will hold the keys to our happiness, that person will be our jailor. When we forgive, we take back control of our own fate and our feelings. We become our own liberator.’

Forgiveness does not erase the past, but it prevents negative experiences from poisoning our future. It reconciles us with the past and demonstrates trust in God regarding the future.

Perhaps the greatest motivation for us to forgive is our personal experience of having been forgiven by God and being aware of the need to receive forgiveness for the harm that we, consciously or unconsciously, have done to others (Matthew 6:12).

References

Beer, M. Dominic & Pocock, Nigel D. (Eds). Mad, Bad or Sad? A Christian approach to antisocial behaviour and mental disorders. Christian Medical Fellowship, London, 2006.

Nervous and Mental Diseases. In: Douglas, J. D. & Tenney, Merril C. Zondervan Illustrated Bible Dictionary. Zondervan, Michigan, 2011.

Toussaint, Loren L. & Worthington, Everett L. & Williams, David R. (Eds). Forgiveness and Health: Scientific Evidence and Theories Relating Forgiveness to Better Health. Springer: Dordrecht, The Netherlands, 2015.

Tutu, Desmond & Tuto, Mpho. The Book of Forgiveness. HarperOne: San Francisco, 2014.

Winter, Richard. When Life Goes Dark: Finding hope in the midst of depression. InterVarsity Press, Illinois, 2012.

On the one hand there are those who view it in a totally positive light and see it helping to improve the lives of millions of people as its applications (particularly perhaps medical ones) grow and make life easier and safer. On the other hand are those who see it as a clear and present danger to human existence, with the possibility of an ‘extinction event’ occurring in the not too distant future. An article in a recent edition of the British Medical Journal Global Health¹ helps to clarify the issues in non-technical language.    

The authors suggest there are three categories of   threat to human health and well-being from the misuse of AI. Firstly there is the threat to democracy, liberty and privacy. The enhanced ability to process vast amounts of data, develop targeting and mis-information and implement-enhanced systems of surveillance could lead to increased societal divisions and entrenchment of inequalities.

Secondly there are threats to peace and safety caused by the ability to develop and deploy lethal autonomous weapon systems (LAWS) that have enhanced lethal capacity together with dehumanisation of use of lethal force.

Thirdly there is the threat to human work and livelihoods as a result of large-scale replacement of work and employment through AI driven automation. The subsequent health outcomes from widespread unemployment are likely to be increasingly adverse for physical, mental and spiritual health worldwide.² 

We also face the existential threat of the emergence of self-improving Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). This could augment all the problems listed above, disrupt systems we depend on, use up resources we depend on and ultimately attack or subjugate humans.

Apparently the simplistic ‘couldn’t we just turn them off’ solution isn’t tenable – by the time they were an obvious threat we could be too dependent on the continued functioning of multiple networked AI and AGI systems to survive without them.

Another area for concern is how interaction with intelligent machines may affect the emotional development of children.³ Research by Kate Darling⁴ indicates that children who grow up interacting and playing with robotic pets are well aware that the robots are not alive, but they understand them as being ‘alive enough’ to be a companion or a friend. It seems many children develop a new category – or new way of thinking – about their robotic toys.

As one group of researchers wrote: “It may well be that a generational shift occurs wherein those children who grow up knowing and interacting with life-like robots will understand them in fundamentally different ways from previous generations.” ⁵ In other words, how might human relationships become distorted in the future if children increasingly learn about the meaning of love and intimacy from their interactions with machines?

So how do we respond to all this? It is good to remind ourselves that we are all created in God’s image, and that human creativity, imagination, the ability to do science and medicine and develop useful technology like AI all result from our God-given capacity. Unfortunately of course we are not perfect, so the freedom God has given us allows us to do harm as well as good. Our capacity for self-delusion and arrogant pride can also stop us seeing the potentially destructive consequences of what  we may create. 

We face the age-old dilemma of should we do or create something just because we can. History suggests that we almost always choose to do first and only consider the necessary ethical behavioural constraints later. It seems to me that with AGI there must be international monitoring and agreement about boundaries and precautions to limit and control the development of this technology which we are only beginning to grapple with. We need to lobby our elected representatives to press for the setting up of an international AI/AGI monitoring body. This is perhaps especially needed from those of us living in the UK, as our current Prime Minister wants to establish the UK as a key development hub for AI development and regulation.⁵

We can I think take some encouragement from the nuclear industry, where we have an immensely powerful technology that could be used for the destruction of mankind as well as for the (not without risk and problems) powering of electricity generating plants. Knowing the likely outcome, the nations of the world that have the capacity have managed by the grace of God not to use a nuclear bomb in war for the last 78 years. 

There are international agencies actively monitoring the production and use of nuclear materials. Surely we urgently need the same for AI, to ensure we can reap the benefits of this technology whilst minimising the risks and harms. Unfortunately AGI may prove much harder to control than nuclear power, but it is a challenge that as God’s vice-regents on Earth we cannot afford not to meet. 

This post first appeared on the PRIME monthly international email. Reposted with permission.

Images – All images were created by PRIME’s PR & Communications Manager using AI with Vecstock.

References

1. https://gh.bmj.com/content/8/5/e010435
2. Religion as a social force in health: complexities and contradictions. BMJ 2023; 382 doi:      https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2023-076817  
3. https://www.johnwyatt.com/the-robot-revolution-is-comingbut-are-christians-ready/
4. http://gunkelweb.com/coms647/texts/darling_robot_rights.pdf
5. https://www.reuters.com/technology/uk-must-seize-opportunities-ai-remain-tech-capital-pm-sunak-2023-06-11/

Dr Huw Morgan is a retired GP Training Programme Director in Bristol, UK and a former PRIME Education Lead and Executive Member. This article is based on a previous personal blog post by Huw Morgan.

‘Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
    for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
    for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
    for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

‘Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

The beatitudes or blessings are Jesus’ manifesto for all who wish to be His disciples. The word “blessed” comes from the Greek makarios and is sometimes translated ‘happy’. However, the more precise meaning will be ‘blessed’ or ‘fortunate’. Who can be happy when crying, suffering or being persecuted? Happiness is subjective, varies from person to person and is dependent on circumstances, whereas God’s blessing is a promise and a certainty, both for the present and for eternity.

Blessed are the poor in spirit (v.3)

Jesus is not referring to the poor in terms of socio-economic disadvantage. Although at times material wealth and prosperity can be an obstacle to intimacy with God, there is no revelation here or elsewhere in Scripture that the materially deprived will for that reason be more blessed by God. Nor does the expression ‘poor in spirit’ refer to the uneducated, ignorant, or mentally retarded. Poverty of spirit is an indispensable condition for entering the Kingdom of God. It means recognizing our spiritual poverty and failure before the high standards of conduct that a holy and perfect God requires, like the tax collector who said, ‘O God, have mercy on me, a sinner’ (Luke 18:13).

Blessed are those who weep (v.4)

This is not just any weeping but a deep sadness, as when we go through a mourning process for the loss of someone we love. It results from our recognition of the extent and seriousness of our sin and the sin of others (cf. Psalms 139:136). It is the feeling of emptiness, of a lack of meaning in life, which has driven many to suicide or madness and which only God can satisfy. As Pascal said, ‘there is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of every person, and it can never be filled by any created thing’.

Blessed are the meek (v.5)

In the Bible the adjective ‘meek’ is used to describe the character of two people: Moses (Numbers 12:3), who defied the powerful Egyptian pharaoh, and Jesus (Matthew 11:29), who voluntarily submitted to the torture and humiliation of cruel Roman soldiers, and did not bow down before the governor Pilate. Meekness does not mean weakness, cowardice, or timidity, but humility, obedience, and self-control. Like a trained horse, about which we say it is meek because it is submissive and obeys its owner, not because it is weak, in the same way the meek ones Jesus refers to are people who willingly submit to God’s will and are led by his Spirit.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (v.6)

Having this kind of hunger and thirst that Jesus talks about is something that few of us have experienced, but which Jesus’ disciples knew well. It means being so desperately in search of water or food that all other things no longer matter. Physiological needs like eating, drinking, and sleeping are at the base of Maslow’s iconic pyramid, before other needs like security, belonging, or self-esteem. To hunger and thirst for righteousness is the burning desire to see God’s Kingdom established as people come to know Jesus as Saviour and Lord of their lives.

Blessed are the merciful (v.7)

There are many texts in Scripture that refer to God’s mercy, and the need for us to forgive others as Christ has forgiven us. The Lord told his disciples that he was giving them a new commandment concerning love: ‘Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another’ (John 13:34). This compassionate love includes care for the weak and vulnerable who have need of food, clothing, and comfort in sickness or prison, and goes beyond traditional Jewish teaching as it includes love for enemies. It was the desire to fulfil God’s will and this love for others that led to the creation of the first hospitals and orphanages, the abolition of slavery or the development of palliative medicine, pioneered by Christians committed to God.

Blessed are the pure in heart (v.8)

The pure in heart are sincere in their relationship with God and with others. They don’t put on masks because they have nothing to hide. They don’t have to prove anything because they know that they are nothing without God (they are poor in spirit). They are people who do not behave one way in church and another way at home or at work but who, whatever the occasions and circumstances, try to live with a clean conscience before God.

Blessed are the peacemakers (v.9)

The followers of Jesus should seek peace and reconciliation among human beings and with God, who is a God of peace. Contemporary history is full of examples of committed Christians who have played a decisive role in bringing reconciliation between people and groups in conflict. Their actions and prayers also contributed for a peaceful political transition in some countries, as for example in South Africa in the 1990s, where a bloodbath was to be expected with the regime change after decades of racial segregation.

Blessed are those who are persecuted (v.10)

Despite our efforts towards reconciliation, some will oppose it. Every Christian should expect opposition which is the result of our identification with Jesus and proclaiming his divinity and exclusivity as the only way to God. There has never been a time in the history of the world when more Christians are persecuted because of their faith in Jesus than in our days. And hostility and persecution will increase as we approach the end times.

Conclusion

In the beatitudes, Christ challenges us to live according to God’s highest standards and eternal values and not according to the ideologies and value systems of this world. It is a challenge for every true disciple of Jesus everywhere, in every culture, and in every age of history. We cannot present these qualities by our own strength or efforts, but only by God’s grace and the power of the Holy Spirit, following the example of the Lord Jesus, who manifested each of these virtues in abundance.

Jorge Cruz MD PhD (Bioethics) is a vascular surgeon working in Portugal. He is a member of the national committee of the Portuguese Association of Christian Doctors and Nurses (AEMC).

As one looks around and engages with people, one can see unhealthy preoccupations and callousness around health.

Physical Health

The first issue is an unhealthy preoccupation with physical health. The body is the temple of the spirit and should be taken care of. A healthy diet, reasonable exercise, and healthy habits are important, but there is a culture of preoccupation with the body as the center of life. This is evidenced by the increasing number of executive full-body checkups and full-body scans that people undergo on a regular basis, as well as a preoccupation with any minor changes that laboratory tests reveal. The average person may not realize that there is a huge industry that wants them as their trusted client.

There is also the health and nutritional supplement industry that promotes every new fad in town as the answer to all your health problems. Not to mention the increasing sales of the cosmetic industry and cosmetic medicine too. All of these contribute to an addictive preoccupation with physical health, to the extent that the body becomes an idol that one worships, and keeping the body healthy becomes the preoccupation around which their lives revolve. We should not forget that God is God, and our bodies are a temple of God that cannot replace God. Let us build our bodies to be that temple.

Emotional Health

The second preoccupation is with emotional health. Post-COVID, there is an epidemic of mental health challenges, and this needs to be understood. Many people are struggling with mental health issues, and it should not be taken lightly. Needed care and support should be provided.

At the same time, we should recognize that there is a bigger cultural change happening around us. Carl R. Trueman, in his excellent book “The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self,” writes that the world and culture have moved from the era of idiotic man, political man, religious man, economic man, and now psychological man (and woman). In such a culture, emotions are the center of life. What we feel is who we believe we are. This is something one should be aware of. Our feelings are not who we are. Our identity and who we are go beyond what we feel, and being preoccupied with our feelings is unhealthy. We need to guard our hearts, which are the wellspring of life.

There is also a callous carelessness with which we engage our minds. We need to reflect on the health of our minds. We allow social media, Netflix, AI chat bots, and other information systems to influence our minds. Instead of engaging the mind with intellectually stimulating and life-building information and options, we fill the mind with garbage and junk.

False truths and manipulated information that the media puts out are what many people are occupied with. Garbage in, garbage out is true these days. The output from the average person becomes shallow and not intellectually sound or life-building. Our minds are meant to be transformed and renewed. For such transformation and renewal, we need to engage our minds with what is true, right, pure, and life-giving.

Relational Health

There is also callousness with which we consider community and our relational health. The community is primarily online and virtual in many circles. Even if it is otherwise, it is more about what I can get out of the community than how I can be a channel to build and encourage others.

As Foster says, ‘Superficiality is the curse of our age,’ and this is true for relationships too. We enjoy community and relationships but with boundaries that we set for ourselves. Vulnerability and openness are not part of our communities. We share only what we want to and keep those areas closed that might show us as weak. A true community is one of foot-washers, where we are willing to expose our dirty feet and allow them to be washed by each other. Let’s spur one another on and consider deeper engagement in our communities.

These preoccupations and callousness emerge from an area that we tend to neglect – the health of our soul. Nurturing and preserving the soul should be our priority. Proactively engaging in personal life disciplines that nurture the spirit is foundational for our physical, emotional, intellectual, and relational health. Growing in intimacy with God, who is the giver, protector, and preserver of our soul and spirit, is crucial.

Mathew Santhosh Thomas is ICMDA Regional Secretary for South Asia

This commandment is not optional. It is a mandate for every Christian, in every time and place. One of the best illustrations I have heard so far about what it means to evangelize is a beggar telling another beggar where to find food. This illustration is interesting because it summarizes in a few words some aspects of our mission as Christians.

Each one of us was saved by God’s grace and not by our personal merits or qualities, as the Apostle Paul emphasized in his letter to the Ephesians: ’For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast.’ (Ephesians 2:8-9) In this sense, we can consider ourselves beggars, because we know our limitations and we know that we cannot do much, with impact for eternity, if we are separated from the vine, which is Christ. (cf. John 15:5)

On the other hand, if Christ is not the Lord and Master of our lives, we are poor; but poverty of spirit is an indispensable condition for entry into the Kingdom of God (cf. Matthew 5:3). It means recognizing our spiritual poverty and failure before the high standards of conduct that a holy and perfect God demands (Luke 18:13). Jesus sent a stern warning to the members of the church in Laodicea, who failed to recognize their true spiritual condition: ’You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.’ (Revelation 3:17)

Our Mission

Our mission is to point to the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the way, the truth and the life, who gives us access to eternal life with God (John 14:6). Jesus is the bread of life, who can satisfy our spiritual hunger and search for purpose in life (John 6:35). As Josh McDowell states in his book More Than a Carpenter, ’Christianity is not a religion; it’s not a system; it’s not an ethical idea; it’s not a psychological phenomenon. It’s a person. If you trust Christ, start watching your attitudes and actions because Jesus Christ is in the business of changing lives.’

In order to fulfill the mission of world evangelization we need to have a genuine love for other people, which is not something innate, but possible through the supernatural action of the Holy Spirit in our lives, who also enables us to do the works that Jesus did (John 14:12). Without this love and compassion for the lost, and without the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in our lives (Acts 1:8), we will not be very effective in this mission of going and making disciples of all nations.

There are many factors that hinder this calling:

• Lack of intimacy with God, little dedication to prayer, lack of time and availability are some of the most common.
• Having low self-esteem or considering ourselves somehow inferior to the person to whom we intend to share the gospel (because they are of a higher social status, more intelligent, or have greater abilities than us in some area.)
• Knowing that we are not perfect and thinking that we will therefore be bad representatives of the gospel cause.
• Thinking that we don’t have enough biblical and theological training to answer questions that we may be asked.
• Dealing badly with the indifference, rejection, and even some hostility that are relatively common when we proclaim the message of salvation in Jesus.

The truth is that there is no valid reason why we should not be more active and diligent in fulfilling this mission, because it was God who made the decision to hand over this task to mortal and imperfect human beings and not to his angels. Moreover, the Lord Jesus promises to accompany us in this noble mission, for he said, ’I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’ (Matthew 28:20)

Jorge Cruz MD PhD (Bioethics) is a vascular surgeon working in Portugal. He is a member of the national committee of the Portuguese Association of Christian Doctors and Nurses (AEMC).

One of the mega national projects in ancient Israel is the rebuilding of the destroyed wall of Jerusalem under the leadership of Nehemiah. What is remarkable about this project, which perhaps is rare in our time, is the participation of almost all sectors of the society in the work. People from across the nation from all sort of backgrounds joined hands in completing the work.

What inspired people to get involved?

• Importance and significance of the project.

For the Jewish people, the wall of Jerusalem was both a symbol of protection and dignity. Its destruction therefore brought disgrace. Once the wall was rebuilt, the people would no longer be in disgrace. That’s a good reason to be involved! People love to take part in projects that bring them dignity and improve their life.  

• Presence of a strong and visionary leader.

Nehemiah’s strong leadership and heart for Israel’s identity as a nation were key in the success of the project. People rally around a strong, visionary and loving leader who cares for the welfare of all people. (Nehemiah 2:10)

Who were the people involved?

Nehemiah 3 gives a detailed account of the people involved. Seven sectors of society were involved in rebuilding the wall. Such a national project needed the involvement and participation of all.

1. Individuals:

2. Families:

• Jedaiah the son of Harumaph made repairs in front of his house (Neh. 3:10)
• Shallum son of Hallohesh and his daughters made repairs (Neh. 3:12)
• Benjamin and Hasshub made repairs opposite their house (Neh. 3:23)
• Azariah the son of Maaseiah made repairs beside his house (Neh. 3:23)
• Zadok the son of Immer made repairs in front of his house (Neh. 3:29)
• Meshullam son of Berekiah made repairs opposite his living quarters (Neh. 3:30)

5. Politicians:

• Shallum the son of Col-Hozeh, ruler of the district of Mizpah (Neh. 3:15)
• Malchijah the son of Rechab, ruler of the district of Beth Hakkerem (Neh. 3:14)
• Nehemiah son of Azbuk, ruler of a half-district of Beth Zur (Neh. 3:16)
• Hashabiah ruler of half the district of Keilah (Neh. 3:17)
• Binnui son of Henadad, ruler of the other half-district of Keilah (Neh. 3:18)
• Ezer son of Joshua, ruler of Mizpah (Neh. 3:19)

Isn’t that interesting? Can we imagine a high priest putting aside his priestly robes and getting his hands dirty? How many of our professionals, businessmen and politicians are taking part in God’s work and ministry?

The missing sector

Their nobles did not put their shoulders to the work of their Lord. (Neh. 3:5)

What might have led the nobles to leave the work of this great national project to others? The text does not say, but perhaps it was attitudes such as:

• Pride
• Not knowing the importance and significance of the project
• Not wanting to spend energy, time and money
• No heart for Israel’s national identity
• Not wanting to get their hands dirty

Lessons from this project

1. A leader with a God-given vision is key in any successful project.

 When a godly and visionary leader like Nehemiah is in place, the rest is history.

2. We all have different gifts to bring to a project.

Seven different groups of people with all their gifts, talents, resources and positions of influence took part. God is waiting for all to build his kingdom.

3. A group of nobles did not take part.

This was written to teach us today (Romans 15:4) so that we are not surprised when people do not have the same passion for a project that we do. The good news is that God’s work is not dependent on ‘nobles of Tekoa’ to be done. God will use humble and available people.

4. Attitude towards the work.

Zabbai zealously repaired the other section. (Neh. 3:20)

In such a busy project with a multitude of people working, how can one discern who does his work with passion and who is apathetic? Only God knows our hearts! God is looking for people like Zabbai who do his work with zeal.

5. No limit in God’s work.

The men of Tekoa repaired another section. (Neh. 3:27)

People say, ‘I have completed the section/role assigned to me.’ But the men of Tekoa went an extra mile and repaired ‘another section’ after finishing their section. In God’s kingdom, there is always ‘another section’ waiting for us to build.

6. Birth position does not matter as far as God’s work is concerned.

Hanun, the sixth son of Zalaph repaired another section. (Neh. 3:30)

Hanun being the ‘sixth son’ is probably the youngest in the family like David who was rebuked for coming to the battle frontlines (1 Samuel 17:28). But God is ready to use any last born available. Where are Hanun’s elder brothers?

7. The project was successfully completed.

The wall was completed… in fifty-two days. (Neh. 6:15)

Any project that has God’s hand on it will never fail. In spite of the enormous challenges Nehemiah faced with opposing enemies (Neh. 2:19 & 4:7), people refusing to be involved (Neh. 3:5), and workers getting exhausted and tired (Neh. 4:10), the work went on to completion. Isn’t that encouraging?

Lord, help us to take part in building your kingdom.

Alex Bolek is ICMDA Africa Coordinator and Regional Secretary for East Africa.