ARTICLE
TITLE

Is ‘divine healing’ in the ‘Faith Movement’ founded on the principles of healing in the Bible or based on the power of the mind?

SUMMARY

AbstractMany people plagued with incurable diseases or diseases that seem to be resistant to medical treatment, in desperation turn to preachers who claim to administer divine healing. These divine healers make certain claims, based on their interpretation of the Scriptures and a so-called revelation of God’s will. They furthermore preach that healing and health are included in atonement and that nobody should be sick. Illness is an indication of a lack of faith on the part of the believer. It could also be attributed to an attack from the devil. In order to obtain healing, a process of ignoring the symptoms, followed by an unyielding and repeated confession of the healing needed, based on selected verses from the Scriptures, is proposed.This article is based on the contention that the healing practised by these divine healers is nothing more than a ‘mind-over-matter’ approach, leading people into confessing over and over that they have been healed. These practices are reminiscent of the utilisation of affirmations that lead to positive thinking, which will evidently result in a change of behaviour on the part of the confessor. No indication of Godly intervention seems to be evident in this healing ministry, and neither is any submission to the will and purpose of God.

 Articles related

L. J.S. Steenkamp    

AbstractModels of education in the new South Africa: Private church schools or state-aided community schools? The Nederduitsch Hervormde Church sees the basis of teaching and education to be a mother-tongue Christian education, culturally directed and of... see more


A. de Beer,J-A. van den Berg    

AbstractA discourse on eschatology and promissiotherapy with women after the loss of a husbandThe central metaphor “discourse” is used in this research because it links with the narrative approach. This discourse is founded in practical theology and rese... see more


J.M. Vorster    

AbstractAn ethical perspective on religious freedom This article investigates the concept of religious freedom from a Christian-ethical perspective. In view of the current reality of religious fundamentalism in a growing heterogeneous world community, th... see more


Johannes LANGE    

This article shows that scientific criticism of the Bible is a  particular way of thinking that is founded on methodological doubt, inherited from Rene Descartes’ philosophical concept, and is applied to historical-critical interpretation of the Bib... see more


Saifulah Saifulah    

This article discusses Shâdhilîyah, one of the most recognized sufi orders, which possesses quite distinct aspects in the conception of its mystical teachings. This sufi order was founded by Abû al-H}asan al-Shâdhilî, a sufi who has moderate and open vie... see more