Interacting with fellow Kansans on the topic of healing through prayer an underlying question doesn’t always surface – “Is it science or God that heals?” – but leads me to share this article by Monica Karel from the Times Colonist of September 16, 2014 that addresses this. Prompted by one columnist’s assertion that “Science, not God saved Dr. Brantly from Ebola” Karel considers the “Is it science or God that heals?” question and asks others. Here is an excerpt with a link below to take you to the full article.
When people recover from a serious disease, they sometimes go pubic. If they’re persons of faith, they often thank God for the healing. This has stirred some pretty lively discussion in the media about the contributions of science and faith.Why do some people credit God for healing?
In August, for example, there was a lot of buzz about Kent Brantly. He’s the American doctor who credits God and the compassionate care of medical staff and friends for his recovery from the Ebola virus. He and his family moved to Liberia in 2013 because he felt called to serve the people there.
One columnist asserts that “Science, not God, saved Dr. Brantly from Ebola. Yet Brantly’s written statement suggests that his daily communion with God through prayer, as well as the prayers of many others, brought a sense of support and purpose which he feels was important to his recovery.
Some commentators in the debate have described belief in a divine healing power as “a miracle” or “supernatural.” It may seem so to some people. But to others, a transcendent or enlightening presence may feel like a natural thing. Sort of like a sunrise on a mountaintop. One moment all is dark, and the next moment a magnificent ball of fire rises up from the horizon and illuminates the whole landscape with pristine light and clarity. Pretty wonderful. But not magic.