Holistic Health Scriptural References

Holistic health from a Christian viewpoint emphasizes the importance of the whole person and the interdependence of different aspects of the person-- physical, emotional, spiritual. Holistic health sees a person not only as an isolated individual, but as someone living in relationship with God, other people, and the whole of creation, including animals, plants earth, water, and air. Individual, community, and global health are all vitally important.
An overall church program on holistic health addresses many concerns, including individual physical, emotional, and spiritual health and the environment. At different times in different contexts, one aspect of a person's or community's health may be emphasized more than another. Churches must choose the most important areas to emphasize.
Jesus' ministry was holistic. His quoting of Isaiah in the Temple reflects this:
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring me good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor. (Luke 4:18-19)

Jesus ministered to the whole individual. He healed people physically, emotionally, spiritually, and socially. Jesus was concerned about the whole of creation. Jesus was not the only one to consider creation as a whole. Paul revealed his view of the interconnectedness of humanity and creation in the book of Romans:
We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. (Romans 8:22-23)

As Christians concerned with holistic health, we draw on understandings of health in the Bible. In the Hebrew tradition, a human being was a living nephesh--a unity of body and soul. When persons were in right relationship with God, they were in a state of shalom (health-wholeness-peace). In the Christian Greek tradition, persons who were whole had soteria (salvation). Salvation was viewed not just as a spiritual state, or a physical state, but in its whole context.
The following are some additional scripture verses which you may find helpful as your congregation continues ministries of healing:
New Testament

Matthew 25:31-46: "I was sick and you visited me"
Matthew 26:6-13: A woman ministers to Jesus
Mark 5:23-43: Jesus heals Jairus' daughter and the woman with the hemorrhages (whom he not only heals in the body but restores to society)
Luke 10:25-37: The great commandment of love is demonstrated by a Samaritan
John 13:1-20: The healing ministry of touch and servanthood
I Corinthians 12:12-31: The interrelationships in the Body of Christ, unity in diversity
II Corinthians 4:7-18: Determination, hope, and faith, despite diversity

For more information:
Health and Welfare Ministries
General Board of Global Ministries
The United Methodist Church
475 Riverside Drive, Room 330
New York, NY 10115
Phone: 212-870-3869; FAX: 212-870-3624
E-mail: hwmin@gbgm-umc.org
Web: http://gbgm-umc.org/health/