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Healing Through the Centuries: Models for Understanding
Miraculous healing is a topic that always stirs keen interest. Some people claim to have experienced it and others would like to. Some believe that it results from divine intervention; others contend it always has a psychological explanation or is merely fraudulent. Any serious investigation must take into account the diverse accounts of healing found in diverse branches of the Christian tradition from its New Testament origins to the present. However one feels about healing, it has been a mysterious but often central phenomenon in Christian experience. As a believing scholar, Ronald A. N. Kydd steers a middle course between the uncritical enthusiasm and the rationalistic skepticism that often skew popular discussions of the topic. The six "models for understanding" that arise from his study bring clarifying order to the diversities of method, theology, and social location that have characterized healing ministries in different times and places. After an introductory survey of healing in the New Testament, Kydd traces these models through 1. Confrontational—as seen in the work of J. C. Blumhardt and John Wimber
2. Intercessory—as reflected in the ministry of Brother Andre and in the appearances of Mary at Medjugorje
3. Reliquarial—the place of relics in the history of healing
4. Incubational—as seen at Männedorf
5. Revelational—mirrored in the ministries of William Branham and Kathryn Kuhlman
6. Soteriological—the model best exemplified by Oral Roberts
2. Intercessory—as reflected in the ministry of Brother Andre and in the appearances of Mary at Medjugorje
3. Reliquarial—the place of relics in the history of healing
4. Incubational—as seen at Männedorf
5. Revelational—mirrored in the ministries of William Branham and Kathryn Kuhlman
6. Soteriological—the model best exemplified by Oral Roberts
- GenresChristian
272 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
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February 5, 2024
A useful enough survey of the practice of Christian 'Healing' through the centuries. The original contribution the author intends to make is to categorise these experiences into different models via a number of case studies in each:
Confrontational Model - really meaning taking on and defeating sickness
Intercessory Model - not referring to intercessory prayer but rather where someone - typically a saint (like Mary) intercedes the sick person's behalf
Reliquarial model - looking at the healing through the use of relics etc
Incubational model - where healing is gradual over extended prayer and residential care
Revelational model - which looks at healing ministries which wait for the Spirit to fall and give both healing and words of knowledge how to proceed. Like becoming a channel for healing to flow on its own
Soteriological model - works on the assumption that universal healing is God's will just as much as and alongside of forgiveness of all sins - albeit offset by God's sovereignty as to when
All these names make sense when explained but co-opted such established theological jargon to another quite specific application seems a poor choice.
Draws attention to both genuine healings, yet none truly had high percentage actual healings and also compared to the numbers who came seeking healing. The trouble is, sharpness of analysis, real comparison and the depth of overall discussion really isn't here. Instead we have copious footnoting of what multitudes of academics have already said. The book reads like a modern masters thesis barely reworked into a book, where citations are more important than one's own contribution.
Confrontational Model - really meaning taking on and defeating sickness
Intercessory Model - not referring to intercessory prayer but rather where someone - typically a saint (like Mary) intercedes the sick person's behalf
Reliquarial model - looking at the healing through the use of relics etc
Incubational model - where healing is gradual over extended prayer and residential care
Revelational model - which looks at healing ministries which wait for the Spirit to fall and give both healing and words of knowledge how to proceed. Like becoming a channel for healing to flow on its own
Soteriological model - works on the assumption that universal healing is God's will just as much as and alongside of forgiveness of all sins - albeit offset by God's sovereignty as to when
All these names make sense when explained but co-opted such established theological jargon to another quite specific application seems a poor choice.
Draws attention to both genuine healings, yet none truly had high percentage actual healings and also compared to the numbers who came seeking healing. The trouble is, sharpness of analysis, real comparison and the depth of overall discussion really isn't here. Instead we have copious footnoting of what multitudes of academics have already said. The book reads like a modern masters thesis barely reworked into a book, where citations are more important than one's own contribution.
Displaying 1 of 1 review