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posted 18 April 2007 ***
This book (the complete title is as above but
hereinafter is referred to as "A More Excellent Way") suggests
healing is possible for those who have suffered/are suffering
from long-term illnesses and who may have given up all hope of
their prayers ever being answered. Not only this, but the prevention
of disease is also a goal of this ministry. "A More Excellent
Way" documents many healings which have taken place within
the ministry it offers. There are many people who may be bitterly
disappointed at not being healed and would reach for any life-line
offered to them in their suffering.
Does it matter how they are healed, as long as they are so?
Why take the trouble to write this article - surely healing and resultant happiness are paramount? Let's make it clear from the outset that the purpose of this article is not to be insensitive, nor to doubt that healings do occur through the power of the Lord Jesus Christ, nor in any way to add to the distress of those who are seeking healing and who may have begun believing the contents of the above-named book. It is important, however, to examine where "Be in Health" (a global outreach ministry based on the above-named book) emanates from and whether it is, in fact, Biblical.
A. What do we know about Henry Wright and
his church?
Henry Wright is the senior Pastor of Pleasant Valley Church in
Thomaston, Georgia, USA. He is included in the Heritage Registry
Who's Who 2004-5 for "The accomplishments
and achievements attained in the field of Religion and Health,
Healing and Disease Prevention."
His church, which is described as "trans-denominational", is to be found on an historical site of 38 acres. It is situated on a large campus which is used for ministry. It includes catering and accommodation facilities and is also used for teaching ministry and conferences.
"PV Days" are "Pleasant Valley Days" combined with
the "Be in Health" global outreach ministry. These appear
to be days when there are combined outings and fellowship for
those connected with the same and there are also opportunities
to receive "special teaching" from Henry Wright. Pleasant Valley
houses the global outreach ministry called "Be in Health".
The website
contains the link to the "Be in Health" ministry, which
is explained through Henry Wright's own words from his book, "A
More Excellent Way". "If I have anything
to do with it in my lifetime, I intend to bring the pastoral ministry
back to where God wanted it from the beginning. That happens when
God honours what ministers are teaching, by healing diseases as
the Word is applied to the lives of the people."
"Be in Health" is a ministry linked to the above-named
book and is the umbrella for other ministries called "For my
Life" (one such course is available in the UK),"For their
Life" and "For my Life - Children" (see www.beinhealth.com.)
Conferences are held internationally as part of their "global
outreach ministry". According to this website a "Be in Health"
Conference offers teaching 'to unravel' the mysteries of disease
as well as 'revealing pathways to health and wholeness'. Other
topics addressed are: whether diseases may be "spiritually rooted",
offering of "insights into allergies, cancer" etc and also to
teach "how to defeat and prevent disease, using the discernment
God has given mankind to produce wholeness of spirit, soul and
body". There is also a list of other topics which a conference
might pursue, some of which are "Blocks to Healing", "Spirit World
Realities" and "Eight R's to Freedom".
There is also a project called the "7000 Project" - it
is apparently named so because of a reference to God reminding
the prophet that there were 7000 people who did not bow down to
Baal, a pagan idol. This project is designed, it is suggested,
through the incorporation of technology, communication and research
from "Be in Health" to serve disciples better in the promotion
of "wholeness in mankind". As an associate of the 7000 Project,
it is suggested that the resources mentioned above will aid one
to become "that true disciple of Christ". Their goal is to serve
for "the perfecting of the saints", the "work of the ministry"
and for edifying the body of Christ".
There is a "Be in Health" Centre in Farnham, Surrey, which
is described as being a "launching point to reach Europe".
B. What is this Ministry?
The website for Pleasant Valley Church holds a section for what is believed doctrinally to be a Christian church. They believe that both healings and miracles are "part of the Atonement and valid for today". This is followed by four Bible references: Psalm 103:3, 1 Thessalonians 5:23, 3 John verse 2 and 1 Corinthians 12. There is no explanation for these.
Indeed, we read on the website that, "We are dedicated to the eradication and prevention of all spiritual, psychological and biological disease." It should also be noted that the preferred Bible of this church is King James Version.
There are various articles to be read on the "Be in Health" website. It is also possible to listen to messages via audio links. Communication is also encouraged for those needing help or advice by telephone, internet, attendance at conferences and by ministry publications.
The titles of the articles are interesting, and are as follows:
"Unforgiveness is Sin unto Death"
"The Healing and Prevention of Disease"
"How Fear Affects the Body"
"The Sins that Make the Black Man Sick"
"Be in Health" suggests that unclean spirits have been
allowed, by us, to enter our lives, causing sickness. It is also
believed that it is possible for unclean spirits to have been
inherited and made manifest in our everyday lives. It is maintained
that the teaching for this comes from Romans 7 wherein we read
(verse 15)
"I do not understand what I do. For what
I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do." (NIV)
This is because of sin within us and this ministry teaches that
it will free us from every sort of disease of mind, spirit and
body when the sin is recognised, repented from and renounced,
both personally and with reference to generational sins within
our families. We are led to believe that deliverance and healing
will follow and a further important point in this teaching is
that minds are to be renewed by the washing of the water of the
Word of God. Romans 7 concerns our struggle with sin and verses
24-25 (NIV) read "…Who will rescue me
from this body of death? Thanks be to God - through Jesus Christ
our Lord!" Interestingly, thoughts are very significant
within this ministry in relation to healing. We read in the Bible
that we must take every thought into captivity to the obedience
of Christ. (2 Cor.10:5). We should note that Paul was speaking
in defence of his Ministry. Reading within the Biblical context
is very important!
We know that our thoughts are variable in source, in that they
may come from the Holy Spirit, from ourselves or from Satan and
so this thought-based interpretation of Scripture, by Henry Wright,
must lead us to examine every thought, if it is to be "taken captive".
If a thought is contrary to God's Word, then it is believed that
sin is admitted into our thoughts and then our actions are a consequence
for good or ill. Therefore, it is suggested that as the body is
designed to cleanse itself, in the same way as the spiritual issues
are addressed, then cleansing and healing will subsequently occur.
Listening to the audio ministry on the website, a few months ago,
a speaker said that "thoughts are inherited"
and that "one may be born with the thought
pattern that goes with a particular gene". One must ask
the inevitable questions, "Is this scientifically proven?" and
"How in the world is this plausible?"
The speaker also stated that he was asking God to tell him
"Everything He (God) knows and everything the devil knows"
in order to aid him in this healing ministry. He also said that
he wanted "to wear God out" with his requests. There are now new
mini recordings, available on the internet, entitled "The Best
Medicine from Heaven", "Destroying the Devil's Eraser" and
"Are You Hiding behind God?" The first of these tells us
that Scripture has nothing to do with drugs, joy is the best medicine
from heaven and "you don't need pills, just the Gospill" (play
on words).
On the previous recordings, people were also asked to contribute their experiences and information regarding this ministry and healings and these would be included in the 'Be in Health' research. The speaker said he "wants to learn" - whether hearsay may be included as accurate research needs to be decided!
Further, it appears that there is a list of possible causes and roots of disease which people may use to analyse their condition. It is noted that there is access to an updated, extensive list of 900 causes - available when one joins to become an associate member of the 7000 project.
It is important to examine the Biblical connections made between disease and healing. Examples Wright gives (KJV) are:
"…in the last days men's hearts shall
fail them because of fear." Luke 21:26
"For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he." Proverbs 23:7
"Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and
be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." 3 John verse 2
"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit
drieth the bones." Proverbs 17: 22
"A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness
of the bones". Proverbs 14: 30
I believe that if these references are read in context, and in their entirety, then it is not possible to entirely connect them with healing. For example, Luke 21 refers to the signs at the end of the age and in that context would men's hearts fail them.
Returning to the articles written by Henry Wright (titles above) some points that arise are noted as follows:
a) The importance of forgiveness in our lives is not in question
and of course, it is important to get right with God.
"It is important to forgive and understand
that it isn't the person that hurt you. It's the sin that lives
within him. It is manifesting through them, making a victim out
of you….Why should you die because of sins of another? I refuse
to take other people's sins into my body. Unforgiveness is a sin
unto death, which produces disease unto death." (Henry Wright-
website)
This gives us an insight into how the author is making the connection between sin and disease. It is curious because he suggests that sins of others may be taken into one's body besides the possibility of taking sinful thoughts into our minds. This is, surely, incomprehensible!
b) The prevention of disease is to be encouraged - be it through
health tests, diet, exercise etc. In this article, some physical
conditions and their so-called "spiritual roots" are also listed.
For example, congestive heart failure is attributable to "self
hatred, loss of identity and deep-rooted bitterness", strokes
to "anger and hostility" and hardening of the arteries to "self-rejection
and self bitterness".
Reference is also made to psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) - the science that deals with the mind's role in helping the immune system to fight disease. To my mind, this is an over-simplistic reference as PNI is interdisciplinary and investigates far more than links between mind and body. (Wikipedia refers). He also states,
"Healthy thinking may eventually become an
integral aspect of treatment for everything from allergies to
liver transplants".
Wright says that because our doctors ask about familial diseases, then this proves a connection between past and present illnesses in one's life. This is quite true, but the connection is not necessarily a spiritual link, but purely a genetic link! To support this, he refers to Nehemiah 9:2 where the children of captivity began to see things in their parents and grandparents that were also in them. However, the Israelites were confessing the sins of their fathers in following other gods.
"A major factor in disease prevention involves
the person getting their spirituality right…You not only can move
the hand of God to have these diseases healed, you can begin a
more excellent way of thinking. You can actually prevent these
diseases from happening and be in health by pursuing wholeness
of spirit, soul and body".
These statements are implying man's control over his health and offering "more excellent" ways of thinking. We do need to think carefully - whether Jesus is Lord of our lives or whether we believe we are in control of our lives. There is a possibility of superiority developing, if one tunes into this "more excellent" way as suggested by Henry Wright. There is nothing and no-one better than Jesus!
c) Henry Wright uses medical terminology which, to the layman,
is impressive and sounds knowledgeable and plausible. The
article refers to the hypothalamus gland, the autonomic nervous
system etc. and he makes frequent reference to the Merck Manual.
There is no question that God gives us peace that the world cannot
give but Wright tells us that when we are feeling continuously
stressed and having fearful thoughts, and if the stress is not
removed, then the body will start breaking down and the "medical
profession calls this General Adaptation Syndrome…When the body
can no longer maintain its homeostasis, sickness will result."
I believe that terminology like this could influence the innocent
reader and worry them and in itself cause stress and undue worry
- thus creating unnecessary fears.
d) In this article, which is a reprint from a newspaper, Wright
is attributed as saying that:
"…it's not enough to cure diseases - he wants
to prevent them completely. We are all familiar with the cycle
of disease in our culture and, more closely, in the black community".
He believes that separation from God is the foundation for "all incurable diseases" and suggests African culture, based on superstition etc., has caused separation from God. This relates, he says, to the community, because, according to his investigations, auto-immune disorders develop from self- rejection, self hatred and guilt and he links this to single-parent families etc. He also makes reference to the damage the white man has done to the black man and alludes to bitterness bringing fear and rejection into many lives.
In this connection he uses the quotation of 1 John 4:18 "Perfect love casts out fear", but the context of this verse relates to confidence on the Day of Judgement
It is surprising that he directs attention to black people - surely
his teaching should be applicable worldwide?
What further conclusions may be drawn?
Wright offers "a more excellent way of thinking" into which, by implication, pride and greed could develop. Everyone wants healing, of course, and there is a growing trend for people to follow different ministries which offer this. We do need to be careful that we are following true Scripture and not one man's convenient interpretation of it. Anyone may find a verse to fit their beliefs! He says he speaks out of "all the authority of his heart", but is this authority Scriptural?
He claims that diseases which were sent by God to Egypt are avoidable, if we obey God's laws. However, as Christian believers today, we know that we are not under the Law but in God's saving grace; we are in a new covenant with Him.
This is why Jesus came to earth, to save us - and only Jesus can save us! In the words of the chorus:
"I am a new creation,
No more in condemnation,
Here in the grace of God I stand." (Dave Bilbrough)
Fear, in itself, is not always a negative experience. For example, we know that Job experienced fear because God allowed Job to be tested! The diseases which occurred in Egypt were for a purpose and allowed by God to try and change Pharaoh's heart. Experiencing fear will not necessarily cause us illness. It is possible that some sins may cause illness but we must ask God's Holy Spirit to give us discernment on these matters.
The area of unaddressed sin and fear which may hinder a healing is not new and has also filtered into various New Age ideas. Mental healing and correction of thinking may be found in Christian Science, to name but one. Family Tree (history) ministries and deliverance ministries also contain similar themes. The book, "Controlling Toxic Thoughts and Emotions" by Dr Caroline Leaf uses, interestingly, the same verse, "We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ". (2 Cor.10: 5b)
The use of this verse to support such ministries is concerning because people tend to turn en masse to anything new in the belief that God has a fresh word. We were not put on this earth to be constantly checking our every thought as to its validity. This will cause stress, fear and neurosis. Issues of our thinking may quickly become out of balance and mind control of this nature soon develops into obsessional problems and even depression - the exact opposite of what is supposed to be achieved! As Christians we know that we sin and fall short of God's will, BUT we also know that He is "faithful and just to forgive us our sins". We also know, if we love and trust Him, that we are covered by His cleansing and healing blood which was shed on the Cross at Calvary.
There is nothing in the Bible to suggest that one needs a list to identify the type of sin causing which type of disease. Yes, Jesus had discernment and yes, we must ask Him for discernment in our prayers for particular situations.
It is also possible that this kind of ministry results in too much analysis of one's past - presuming that this is an option. Many of us, for various reasons, do not know our family background. It could also be the case that attendance at healing ministries, funding for same and also reading of lists for roots of diseases could cause undue pressure, worry and fear for someone already feeling unwell. This way of interpreting Scripture sounds very plausible because it is believed by the patient to be just that, but it could also result in disturbing and insensitive comments being made. The last thing anyone recovering from a heart attack needs to hear is that it could have been caused by a generational curse! The writer has known this to have been said in just this kind of setting!
In many ways Henry Wright is not saying anything particularly
new but what he does say is concerning in its presentation and
needs close scrutiny - which new discoverers of his ministry may
be tempted to overlook. For my part, I find it difficult to follow
any single line of reasoning. The author jumps from topic to topic
and diverts the reader's mind by sending it into irrelevant tangents.
A further review of "A More Excellent Way" is to be found
at www.bible.org. I would strongly
recommend reading this, also, as it deals with contextual issues
and the way random, selected verses become confusing when applied
to diseases.
An article appeared in "Christianity", October 2007, about
Dr R. T. Kendall's latest book and is entitled, "Ten reasons
why we should forgive ourselves". Reason 8 reads, "Your
own physical health could be at stake" and explains that
holding a grudge could possibly raise one's blood pressure and
be injurious to one's health; as also could not forgiving oneself
be prejudicial to health, as one would be holding a grudge against
oneself! The writer reminds us to remember the Lord's Prayer,
"Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive
those who trespass against us". Matthew 6:9-13. There is
nothing new in exploring links between mind and body and health.
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he
is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" 2 Corinthians
5:17 (NIV)
The Bible tells us that through Christ Jesus we have been set "…free from the law of sin and death". A balance of thinking is imperative in weighing up healing issues. God has given doctors wonderful gifts of being able to diagnose and perform surgery etc. Many of us would not be alive today if it had not been for medicine. It has its place, too!
"And now I will show you the most excellent
way…Love never fails…And now these three remain: faith, hope and
love. But the greatest of these is love". 1Corinthians 13:1 (NIV)
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