Creation of Man by Michelangelo Sistine Chapel
A guest post written by Susan Spears
As a Christian Scientist, I have encountered the belief that God made doctors for us to go to for healing. Since God made the doctors, then being in the faith that relies on prayer instead of doctors is foolish, or short sighted, or just plain wrong. But did God literally make doctors?
St. Paul said,“Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.”
A long quote, but it really gets to the point. God did not make doctors. What he made or gave was the ability for each man to express a portion of the unlimited characteristics of God. God is the healer. And doctors reflect God’s compassion and care through their own healing practice.
Mary Baker Eddy wrote in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, “Spirit [God] diversifies, classifies, and individualizes all thoughts, which are as eternal as the Mind conceiving them; but the intelligence, existence, and continuity of all individuality remain in God, who is the divinely creative Principle thereof. God creates all forms of reality.”
So I can say with conviction that prayer is sufficient in meeting a person’s needs, whether health, relationship, or economical. And I can also be extremely grateful for the love and regard expressed by doctors as they care for their patients.
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What about Witch Doctors, drug pushers, those who create ads asking you to buy medicine, or fool-hardy investment advisors? We cannot ascend until we first see everyone else as already ascended. But that doesn’t mean we toss out a well-documented healing religion/prayers for advice from a group of people that may wear the doctor label. Jesus did not wear that label.
Very interesting and timely article–what with all the political talk about health care coverage.
Thank you Susan. What a beautiful and thoughtful response to the earnest question of others.
I agree that doctors tend to be very conscientious and caring. When my first wife and I were looking for a doctor to deliver our child in our home, many we interviewed would not, because they wanted to be ready for any emergency. They were very caring and diligent in their practice, and I came away really respecting them. We did finally find a doctor who did deliver both our children at home, with no problems, supported by a Christian Science practitioner.
It might be of interest to remember that the word doctor comes from a Latin word meaning to teach. Consider a PHD. Medical doctors teach reliance on matter and medicine. Christian Science goes in a bit of a different direction, turning toward God, Spirit, for help. Matter is the supposed absence of Spirit.
Very helpful Bible-based explanation, thank you!
Thank you, Susan. The Daily Lift today asks us check how we “label” ourselves and others. Glad that we can strive to see the “real label” of everyone with whom we encounter – doctor, teacher, stranger, relative – see their SPIRITUAL qualities. Any quality that is unGodlike we can strive to handle it as an impersonal error – don’t attach it to any of God’s chidren which everyone really is. The more we pray and see man in this light, the less power will be given to drugs, “witch doctors” or whatevery else would detrack from honoring the first commandment of no other gods, but the one all-powerful good God, the creator of all.
Thanks for this gentle yet incisive thought.
Excellent Bible quote used for your interesting point of view. I’ve had this question asked of me a number of times, and I’ve always pointed to the fact of how Jesus healed without drugs, etc.
If we ask, Did God “make” Jesus, there’s only one right answer: YES! Because he represents Christ, Truth, the healing, saving power of God, the only result can be spiritual healing, not man-made theories with all of their material medicines.
While a metaphysical approach to healing differs totally from the medical approach, I have great respect for doctors whose desire is to alleviate the sufferings of mankind. We’re all working to lift the burden of ill health in the best way we know how.
You raised an important question, and I really liked your answer.
Thank you Susan, and with regard to this question, God did not make lawyers, dentists, priests, or politicians. He made man – first chapter of Genesis -, and as you pointed out, each one of us represents that man through his own expression of the characteristics of the Creator.
Great question. I believe God made us and expresses us. Whether we choose to continue to express God and choose to be a doctor or a teacher or a drug dealer is up to us. Whatever direction in life we choose is how we reflect God. It’s really abstract but still direct as well to know that there is no right or wrong, just God and Love.