All of the following theories are pagan in nature and none of the philosophical views are Christian whatsoever. The goal here is that by understanding the foundational philosophies of these theories that are anti-God, Christians can discern where these philosophies have crept in to some healing practices. We can then carefully weed out the bad elements in order not to allow other gods in under the guise of Christian faith.

Evolution:

The theory of evolution can contain both theistic (Intelligent Design) and atheistic elements (Darwinism). In general it is the view that the cosmos has developed from crude, homogenous material to its present state. Darwinist evolution is anti-theistic. Charles Hodge states, "God has revealed his existence and his government of the world so clearly and so authoritatively, that any philosophical or scientific speculations inconsistent with those truths are like cobwebs in the track of a tornado. They offer no sensible resistance. The mere naturalist, the man devoted so exclusively to the study of nature as to believe in nothing but natural causes, is not able to understand the strength with which moral and religious convictions take hold of the minds of men. These convictions, however, are the strongest, the most ennobling, and the most dangerous for any class of men to disregard or ignore." (Systematic Theology) This evolutionary worldview is integrated in many alternative forms of healing.

Materialism:

This is basically a system of psychological criteria that denies the reality of the soul as a psychical being. This theory states that the facts of experience are all to be explained by reference to the reality, activities, and laws of physical and material substance. This is definitely seen in mind control and elements of psychology.

Polytheism:

The belief that there are thousands of gods. This is part of the fundamental doctrine of Animism, Hinduism, Wicca, and the New Age philosophy.

Pantheism:

Pantheism is the first logical consequence of animism: All the world is divine. A mountain is god, a rock, an animal; anything that is part of nature is god. There is no creator; it is all god.

Positivism:

The theory of positivism basically assumes that humankind's knowledge is restricted to phenomena, and humans can know of these only in part.

Metaphysical Healing:

The term "metaphysics" refers to what Aristotle claimed to be "a science which investigates being as being and the attributes which belong to this in virtue of its own nature." He distinguished this "science" from all the "so-called special sciences," for none of them dealt "generally with being as being." Although the etymology and traditional use of the term "ontology" makes it a synonym of "metaphysics," its meaning has become narrowed in contemporary philosophy. This constriction began with Immanuel Kant's theoretical separation of reality from the appearance of reality and the limitation of human knowledge to the latter.  Within the realm of healing the theory applies mainly to the mind as being the central place of healing. It places less emphasis upon the healing of the spirit. Christian healing emphasizes healing of the spirit, soul, and physical body in harmony with God's design.  The metaphysical system of healing claims to restore harmony and health to mind and body to those who accept and recognize the supremacy of divine Mind. This metaphysical Mind-healing system is based on the spiritual power of the divine Science of Mind and affirmative prayers bringing health and harmony in every situation. To be continued