Editorial October 3, 1988 Issue

Christian healing and the welfare of mankind

Michael D. Rissler

The great question of Christian healing is still to be settled in public thought and policy. Of course, there is no other single social issue that is more central to the lives of Christian Scientists. And for those who have known such healing over a long period of years—maybe all their lives—it's almost inconceivable at times to comprehend how controversial the response can be regarding reliance on prayer for healing.

Undoubtedly there are cultural, religious, political, and personal factors that play a part in the controversy. But perhaps the issue really comes down to something very basic about the Founder of Christianity himself. Even for sincere Christians, the image of Christ Jesus suffering is often more tangible than the gospel accounts of healings and resurrection. We know suffering firsthand, while the prospect of absolute divine Love completely overcoming seems ... how shall we say it? Out of range?

Before witnessing Christian Science healing, one might have some vague knowledge that there are people who heal through prayer. But the fact of someone's actually thinking that individual, spiritual recourse to an invisible God could reliably change visible—and often frightening—physical circumstances may seem like something in the realm of wishful thinking—or worse.

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