The Christian who believes the Bible is true, knows that this world is NOT the way it was supposed to be. We know we are frail. We know disease is real. We know we are dying. I start in this place, regarding the topic of holistic health, simply to set the field of play for this discussion. We can only ever be talking about health in relative terms. I feel the need to set the field of play, because I have encountered some people who SEEM to be increasingly talking about holistic health in more absolute terms.
I have encountered people who have told me that a healthy diet can cure cancer. I found the conversation tacky and tone-deaf as the person didn’t put together that both of my parents died of cancer. If only dad had eaten more kale! If only mom ate more beets!
I also know people who are passionate about holistic health as a function of their conspiracy-theory-believing tendencies. They approach holistic health FROM a place of scepticism about government, FDA, the medical establishment, and lobby groups. Others I know have come into holistic medicine through an attempt to ease particular symptoms, and they have found that certain doctors and certain treatments actually help.
But I’ve said enough here before getting to the point, and I might be close to some people quitting me. So let me state emphatically that I have no interest weighing in on anyone’s health care decisions. My interest in blogging about holistic health has come about only due to the fact that many PEOPLE in the church I lead have become heavily influenced by this movement.
Further, I have had some funny interactions with people in my church about the place where holistic health and the spiritual touch. When I told one lady that I enjoy a Little Debbie snack cake from time to time, her comment was a joking (but semi-serious) “but your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit”. My reply was off the cuff and meant to be joking, but I said, “my God is BIG, and he deserves a BIG temple!” Fortunately she laughed.
So let me state my premise: any TRULY HOLISTIC health had better involve your spirit. Health does not end with the body. It cannot end with blood work. It cannot be achieved merely through infusions, leafy greens, or Pilates. We are body and soul. We have minds that need to be nurtured. We have souls that need to be fed. Man cannot live by bread alone but by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God.
I fear that many church-goers would spend lots of money and travel distances to meet with a holistic doctor to give them some relief from their symptoms, but they have never taken the time to meet with their pastor to ask, “how can I grow in prayer?” Or “what should I be doing to nurture health in my relationship with Jesus?”
If we are not careful, we will think we are being holistic, when we are honestly being materialistic. We are taking care of the body with decreasing concern for the soul. I am all for health. And I don’t think this is a dichotomy of one or the other. But if you are involved in or becoming involved in holistic health but are not equally leaning in to growing in your faith for the nourishment of your spirit, stop calling it holistic. Call in ‘bodyistic’ or ‘physical whole health’ or make up your own phrase.
But if you are seeing a holistic doctor, I can almost guarantee that he isn’t caring for the “whole” of you. Why not check in with a spiritual leader to get regular check-ups? I have a strong interest in having a healthy flock, even if they eat a Little Debbie snack cake from time to time.
