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.

PrefaceIntroductionPart 1: Healing1. Seven Theses: From Scripture to Today2. Healing in the Old Testament3. Healing in the New Testament and the Church?s Practice4. Biblical Theological Analysis of Healing5. The Church As Healing CommunityPart 2: Health Care: Moral-Theological Perspectives6. Health and Health Care in Biblical-Theological Perspective7. Biblical and Theological Foundations of Health Care Through Mutual Aid8. Health Care in Christian History and Mission9. Disability, God's Two Hands of Love: Internal Care; External WitnessPart 3: From Present Systems to New Paradigms10. Health Care Reform: Evaluation and Prospects11. From High-Tech and Triage to Shalom and Service12. Living toward Sustainable Health CareSummary and Concluding ReflectionsAppendix 1. Mennonites, Brethren, and Related Groups in Mission and MedicineAppendix 2. Center for Healing and HopeBibliography