Churches as Healing Communities: Impulses from the South for an Integral Understanding of Healing

Author: van Laar, Wout

Source: Exchange, Volume 35, Number 2, 2006 , pp. 226-241(16)

Publisher: BRILL

Buy & download fulltext article:

Price: $35.00 plus tax (Refund Policy)

Abstract:

For several reasons in missionary ecumenical circles healing could become the new paradigm for mission. One of the main reasons is that in churches in the Southern hemisphere healing is the central focus of the local Christian community. Church life is characterized by the conviction that not the mere change of political structures will lead to a better world. Liberation from evil, forgiveness, medical care, mutual acceptance and common socio-political engagement, all are inspired by the integral message of the gospel. The author gives several examples of African Christian communities in the Netherlands that may be called healing communities and are an inspiration for new forms of living the Christian faith, badly needed for the white middle class congregations that are weakened by secularism and Enlightenment.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/157254306776525708

Publication date: 2006-06-01