“But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.”
2 Peter 2:1-3

Introduction

It is important to identify the system of alternative medicine as compared to other systems in our world today. It also becomes necessary to ascertain how it integrates in practice for the Christian. We can then define the value and safe practices within alternative medicine.

By Professional Observation

I have observed frequently in many years of practicing alternative medicine that, due to the lack of education and proper application, alternative medicine is “taboo” among Christians. I have also observed Christians practicing segments of alternative medicine that are extremely risky and questionable. I am a graduate of Bastyr University, the melting pot for cross-cultural healing practices from all sections of our world. There are few Christians who make it out of this education process intact. However, there is a strong need for Christians to enter this most exciting profession. Much of alternative medicine has sound biblical applications in health and healing of disease. We need more representation in Christendom for this powerful healing system, which is predominately embraced by other belief systems.

Christianity Is Not Dominant In Alternative Medicine

Christianity is by no means dominant in alternative medicine. I have been thoroughly educated in every Eastern practice within alternative medicine and can with confidence say that “garage practice” of alternative medicine is not only risky, it is foolish. You must know what you are embracing and including in your life practice. For example, accepting Deepak Chopra’s (New Age savant and Ayurvedic expert) view of Jesus Christ in his recent book, Jesus: A Story of Enlightenment is nothing less than embracing full-fledged Hinduism and New Age practices. In my experience as a Christian physician, I have seen fellow believers embrace teachings like this and accept some very clear pagan practices and count them as being permissible in Christian experience. I am not sure if they read the same Bible as I do, but I get clear instruction from the Scripture that pagan practices break the very first command that God gave to humankind, “You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3). On the other hand, I have heard Christians slam alternative medicine practices without having any idea why they should reject it.

Many References Are Not Clear Enough

Therefore, there is a serious need for a reliable, accurate reference, as I have not seen an authoritative work on the safe and proper application of alternative medicine for the Christian believer. The books that I have read concerning alternative medicine and Christian practice have either been slanted towards Western views, discrediting valuable and usable applications, or do not give clear enough information regarding efficacy and safety. Finally, some take on a liberal view of these practices based upon a pragmatic view that if healing is the end result, it must therefore be safe. Simply, not everything within the realm of alternative medicine is harmful, but some of it is. Don’t make a decision based on hearsay—check it out for yourself.