Some recommended reading on healthy living!

Healing the Whole Man Handbook
By Joan Hunter (Whitaker House)

Healing the Whole Man Handbook is divided into two major portions: the first is on the basic pointers that one should understand before helping to minister healing to others. The second, of which the majority of the book encompasses, is on prayers for healing many different types of illnesses. In fact, almost every single illness and disease can be found in this section.

This book is bound to increase the faith of those who read it, with its insights into how God heals. I also like the fact that the book starts off by helping the reader get his or her foundations right. For example, having a right relationship with our Maker, knowing God’s provisions, and what our heart’s motivation is, all need to be sorted out before embarking on a journey of administering healing to others. It is important to make first things first.

However, I must admit that I do not fully agree with the writer’s theology, which at times can seem narrow. For example, in the section on healing prayers, there is a prayer for “healing” baldness. But is baldness really something that one needs to “heal” from? Not according to Leviticus 13:40-41. It is paragraphs like this from the book which cause me to cringe at times. But besides that, the book is an enjoyable read.

Last but not least, there are poignant reminders that sometimes our illnesses have a spiritual, unseen element that only God can heal. In our modern day and age of science and technology, this is a much needed reminder. However, I would advise the reader to use his or her wisdom when reading through the prayers in this book, and not to look for a “demon” in every disease.

None of These Diseases
By S. I. McMillen & David E. Stern (Revell)

“If you diligently heed the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you” (Ex 15:26) is the resounding piece of Scripture that envelopes this book.

When I first requested the availability of doctors McMillen & Stern’s classic None of These Diseases from a local bookshop, the comment that came was, “That is a very old book!”
However, that is exactly what is so amazing about it as this demonstrates two things: Firstly, starting with Moses’ generation, this book offers Biblical doctrine containing answers to health secrets and remedies to infectious diseases that medical science has been progressively uncovering through the years up to this modern day. Prevalent issues including hygiene, stress, tobacco, AIDS and related sexually transmitted diseases, emotional, spiritual and physical wholeness are addressed in a clear and comprehensible manner.

Secondly, it definitely says something about this book’s credibility and relevance if, since its original release in 1963, has sold over a million copies and translated into more than twenty languages. It has since been revised and expanded and into its third edition.

I was particularly held captive by the “history lessons” I gained from learning about the medical beliefs and practices in the past and the fate of those who campaigned to defend their discoveries in their own eras. Highly recommended!