You're
a Christian and you get sick. What do you do? Do you stand on God's
promise of healing and refuse to seek medical help? Do you discard
the concept of divine healing and call your doctor?
As
a physician and Christian, Dr. Butterworth offers a balanced
approach. He first explains why there is sickness in the world. He
reminds us of the promise that it will be eradicated in the future.
He looks at the role of humans, both ourselves and others, Satan, and
God in sickness. I really like his reminding us that all sickness is
subject to God's sovereign rule. He looks at the purpose God might
have in our sickness, exploring the relationship between spiritual
healing and physical healing.
He
then looks at issues that might prevent our healing, such as
unforgiveness, wrong belief, pride, and sexual sin. He gives very
good practical steps to overcome each issue.
Lastly,
Butterworth looks at the relationship between God's medical wisdom
and God's supernatural healing power. He gives the case for both,
adding many of his own experiences. He also looks at the relationship
of faith and medical treatment. He includes specific insights on
praying for God's intervention.
I
really appreciate his discussion on the teaching that physical
healing is part of the atonement, Jesus' death and resurrection.
Butterworth makes a distinction between the effects of living in a
sin corrupted world and the effects of our own sins. Those who “claim
their healing” confuse those issues, he writes.
I
am impressed with this book. Butterworth writes from his knowledge
and experience in both the medical field and his role as pastor.
Though he has prayed for healings and seen miracles happen, he has a
balanced view of supernatural healing and healing through medical
means.
I
highly recommend this book to those looking for a balanced
understanding of God's supernatural healing and the use of medical
treatment for healing. The book is full of insight, encouragement,
and practical suggestions.
My
rating: 5/5 stars.
Dr.
Andrew Butterworth is a pastor at Junction Church, Johannesburg,
South Africa. Trained as a doctor at the University of St. Andrews
and then the University of Manchester, he worked in various hospitals
around the United Kingdom's Greater Manchester area before
transitioning to public health and church ministry. He and his wife
live in South Africa.
Whitaker
House, 256 pages.
I
received a complimentary copy of this book through The Book Club
Network for the purpose of an independent and honest review.
No comments:
Post a Comment