Available via license: CC BY 4.0
Content may be subject to copyright.
Health and healing in new testament times: Historical understanding and the health care debate
Abstract
In this article an overview is given of assumptions about health and illness as well as healing practices in the antiquity Mediterranean world, especially the New-Testament era.
Opsomming
'n Oorsigtelike bespreking van opvattinge oor gesondheid en siekte asook van genesingspraktyke in die antieke Mediterreense wereld, veral die Nuwe-Testamentiese era, word in hierdie artikel aangebied.
*Please note: This is a reduced version of the abstract. Please refer to PDF for full text.
Eto (ritual) stands for the sacred preparations made by Aladura prophets and prophetesses for their clients for therapeutic purposes. The practice of eto shares striking similarities with Yourba traditional methods of medication. But there is the argument that the Aladura healing rituals might as well be an imitation of Jesus’ methods. Therefore, this article examined these rituals in light of Jesus’ use of spittle for healing with a view to ascertaining if they are justified as a Christian practice. Applying the reader-oriented and descriptive methods, the article discovered that apart from the affinities with Jesus’ methods, some people are convinced that the Aladura healing process is divinely directed and efficacious. However, the research also found some healing practices among the Aladura which contradict Christian belief. The essay concluded that barring these abuses, the Aladura healing process is justified as a Christian practice.
Contribution: This research is a contribution in Christian ethics. It postulates that the healing rituals of the Aladura churches in Nigeria could be an acceptable Christian practice if the excesses are avoided.
ResearchGate has not been able to resolve any references for this publication.