“But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.”
2 Peter 2:1-3

Reliable Authoritative Reference Is Needed

Now is the time to set the foundations of understanding alternative medicine in light of Christian faith and practice. In addition, setting the parameters of what is sound within alternative medicine and Christian theology is extremely necessary to keep from crossing the line into Eastern practices that are in direct conflict with biblical faith. Practices within the realm of alternative medicine have profound influence upon our theology and should not be neglected. It is not sound to practice any Eastern practice just because someone we know makes reference to it or because they may have been healed by accepting the practice themselves. The Christian needs to evaluate the practice carefully and with prayer. Discerning the direction the Holy Spirit gives is the final word and this overrides any rationalization.

Evaluating Alternative Medicine

Here is how we will approach alternative medicine and its many practices. I will use a simple “four R” plan. Simply, can we receive the practice? Are there any redeeming points of the practice? What aspects of the practice need to be rejected? And what relation does the practice have to Christian faith and theological practice?

• Receive: Can I receive this practice in its entirety or parts of it?
• Redeem: What can I safely accept as a safe healing practice?
• Reject: What do I need to reject and on what basis?
• Relate: Does the practice completely counter Christian faith and theology?

Christian Worldview of Alternative Medicine

As Christians we are in danger when we accept any practices that are in conflict with what God has commanded. Often, taboo lists are developed or discarded based upon convictions, relational experiences, prejudices and/or acceptance and rejection of rules. God is not the author of confusion and certainly not the author of lists that we may make. To accept or reject lists is not the issue here--defining what is consistent with God’s will is.

In developing this evaluation process a new fundamental Christian worldview of alternative medicine in relation to Christian faith and healing will take shape. Francis Schaeffer, in his book A Christian Worldview of Spirituality, states, “there is a tendency toward a struggle in Christian circles between those who set up a certain list of taboos and those who, feeling there is something wrong with this, say, ‘Away with all taboos, away with all lists.’ Both can be right and both can be wrong, depending upon how they approach the matter.” Therefore we are going to approach this vast subject with the wisdom of God and have His mind on the matter.