Health, Healing and the Church's Mission

Does the Christian community have the resources to develop a coherent response to health care challenges today?Accounting for biblical, theological and church-historical streams, Willard Swartley divulges a long tradition of healing and health care inherited by Christians today. Beginning with in-depth studies of Old and New Testament understandings of healing, the book surveys three millennia of biblical and theological teaching and practice in congregational life and mission. Along the way Swartley uncovers how Christians have understood the role of the church and other institutions in providing health and healing.The book concludes with an attempt to synthesize these biblical, historical and moral perspectives to help all Christians, including those in health care professions, respond to our current health care challenges.

Willard M. Swartley (Ph.D., Princeton Theological Seminary) is professor emeritus of New Testament at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary. He formerly served as its dean and acting president and is an ordained minister in the Mennonite Church. Swartley has published several books and numerous academic articles and reviews.