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Health, Healing and the Church's Mission: Biblical Perspectives and Moral Priorities, By Willard M. Swartley alt

Health, Healing and the Church's Mission

Biblical Perspectives and Moral Priorities

by Willard M. Swartley

Health, Healing and the Church's Mission
Ebook
  • Length: 268 pages
  • Published: August 02, 2012
  • Imprint: IVP Academic
  • ISBN: 9780830863303

Does the Christian community have the resources to develop a coherent response to health care challenges today?Accounting for biblical, theological and church-historical streams, Willard Swartley divulges a long tradition of healing and health care inherited by Christians today. Beginning with in-depth studies of Old and New Testament understandings of healing, the book surveys three millennia of biblical and theological teaching and practice in congregational life and mission. Along the waySwartley uncovers how Christians have understood the role of the church and other institutions in providing health and healing.The book concludes with an attempt to synthesize these biblical, historical and moral perspectives to help all Christians,including those in health care professions, respond to our current health care challenges.

REVIEWS

"Health, Healing and the Church's Mission is a unique and refreshing contribution to the discussion of health, healing and the provision of health care. Its comprehensive look at the biblical perspectives and discussion of the moral dilemmas it awakens for all of us is much appreciated. An important read for any person of faith seeking for a biblical grounding on these issues."
Christine Sine, author and executive director of Mustard Seed Associates
"Willard Swartley has done the Christian community a huge service by writing a comprehensive, thoughtful and lucid discussion on our biblical and moral responsibility to promote healing and to advocate for a just health care system. His argument goes beyond the usual economic, political and medical arenas by focusing on Christian healing, community and mission."
Mary J. McDonough, author of Can A Health Care Market Be Moral? A Catholic Vision
"Dr. Swartley clearly articulates the profound moral challenges facing the Christian church in response to many of the dilemmas of health care services in America. He does so through the lenses of a thoughtful treatment of biblical and theologicalperspectives and the rich history of Judeo-Christian engagement in health ministries of many forms. He highlights various alternative models of health services that may offer hope. This book is must reading for religious and institutional health care leaders who are willing to examine and are open to reclaiming the essence of God's reconciling and healing work in this world."
Rick Stiffney, president/CEO, Mennonite Health Services Alliance
"Swartley's holistic approach to the issue of health gives fresh perspectives on both healing in the Christian tradition and current issues of health care reform. Readers who are looking for ways to integrate contemporary questions about health care with a biblical and theological perspective that moves from text to tradition will find many valuable resources in Swartley's work."
Mary Veeneman, Ph.D., assistant professor of biblical and theological studies, North Park University
"With an eloquent, rational approach, Willard Swartley critiques the current health care industry and persuasively offers a substantive alternative insight into health and healing by incorporating insights from Scripture, varied cultures, historicand religious practices, and contemporary trends. Swartley advances and amplifies the concept of shalom that embodies holistic health and reflects the biblical view of health. This vital and important volume will be valued by health care workers who aspire to experience how Christian faith can meaningfully transform their understanding and practice. I look forward to using this resource as a textbook for students in our biomedicine program."
Roman J. Miller, Ph.D., Daniel B. Suter Endowed Professor of Biology and director of the M.A. in Biomedicine Graduate Program at Eastern Mennonite University
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CONTENTS

Preface
Introduction
Part 1: Healing
1. Seven Theses: From Scripture to Today
2. Healing in the Old Testament
3. Healing in the New Testament and the Church?s Practice
4. Biblical and Theological Analysis of Healing
5. The Church as Healing Community
Part 2: Health Care: Biblical, Moral and Theological Perspectives
6. Health and Health Care in Biblical-Theological Perspective
7. Biblical and Theological (Anabaptist) Foundations of Health Care Through Mutual Aid
8. Health Care in Christian History and Mission
9. Disability, God's Two Hands of Love: Internal Care, External Witness
Part 3: Toward New Paradigms
10. Health Care Reform: Evaluation and Prospects
11. From High-Tech and Triage to Shalom and Service
12. Living Toward Sustainable Health Care
Summary and Concluding Reflections
Appendix 1. Mennonites, Brethren and RelatedGroups in Health Care
Appendix 2. Center for Healing and Hope: Its Mission and Contribution
Bibliography
Name Index
Scripture Index

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ABOUT Willard M. Swartley

Willard M. Swartley

Willard M. Swartley (Ph.D., Princeton Theological Seminary) is professor emeritus of New Testament at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary. He formerly served as its dean and acting president and is an ordained minister in the Mennonite Church.Swartley has published several books and numerous academic articles and reviews.

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