John Wesley and Health

John Wesley, in his book Primitive  Physick, established for today’s United Methodists the interconnectedness of health with spiritual, mental and physical well-being.  As a church, we continue to claim and build on that understanding.  

Most health problems are related to lifestyle and are preventable.  Research on the immune system and other studies on what keeps people healthy have identified the following important factors:

• Hope
• Religious belief and faith in a higher power
• Meditation and prayer
• A sense of meaning and purpose in life
• Belonging, a sense of connectedness to others (individuals and small groups) and community
• A sense of responsibility
• A positive self-image
• Touch and love

These are spiritual factors!   As our lives are grounded in Jesus Christ we are transformed and will develop healthier behavior and thinking.  As Christians we believe that the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, a sacred place consecrated by God’s presence.  Because the body is a dwelling place of God, we need to treat it with great care.  

(Source: The United Methodist Church’s General Board of Global Missions)

Biblical Support:

• Luke 9:2 – “and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.”
• Matthew 25:36 – “I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.
• John 10:10 – “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”
• James 5:14 –“Is any one of you sick?   He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.”