Jarl Waggoner's Reviews

Divine Healing Today by Richard Mayhue, Moody Press, 1983, 168pp.

Reviewed by Jarl K. Waggoner

Much has been written on the modern healing movement in recent years. Unfortunately most of it has been rather superficial and fails to adequately deal with the scriptural data. In Divine Healing Today Richard Mayhue has given us a book that is thoroughly biblical and eminently practical-a rare combination of scholarly study and practical insights.

Mayhue's work answers the need of pastors and laymen for a solid, biblically balanced and non-contentious approach to the topic. As a scholar in his own right, Mayhue demonstrates careful exegesis and theological reflection in this study.

Divine Healing Today is a successful attempt to throw the light of biblical revelation upon this controversial subject. Part 1 of the book deals with the biblical record of divine healing in the Old Testament, Gospels, Acts, and Epistles. While brief, this overview raises some interesting points that modern faith healers have for the most part ignored: God often afflicted; God healed unbelievers; Jesus approved of doctors; faith was not always necessary for healing; healing techniques varied. Also included is a discussion of Isaiah 53 and the question of healing in the atonement. Drawing upon Matthew's translation of Isaiah in 8:14-17 the author demonstrates the careful distinction between sacrificially bearing our sins and simply taking away our sicknesses (p. 50). He clearly shows that the redemptive value of the Atonement is primary, and there is no present guarantee of healing (pp. 52-53). A provocative discussion of miracles and what constitutes a miracle leads to the conclusion that God does heal today, but not miraculously through men, because this is not His method of healing in our day (p. 84).

Mayhue also discusses reported healings today, citing documented cases of misleading reports, deliberate fraud, satanic involvement, the healing capacity of the body, wrong medical diagnoses, and psychosomatic and emotionally induced illnesses. One only wishes the author would have given some space to specific techniques employed by modern faith healers. Such an investigation would itself explain the majority of so-called divine healings performed today.

Part 2 of the book focuses on the Christian's response to sickness. Included here is a helpful study of James 5:14-20. Mayhue argues forcefully for symbolic anointing and prayer by the elders with the expectation of divine healing if the sickness is sin-related and proper confession is made. The author concludes by looking at some of God's purposes for allowing sickness and illustrating these with a personal example and a fascinating interview with Joni Eareckson Tada.

The appendixes are an invaluable study tool, listing topically the biblical passages relating to healing. They are an excellent place to begin one's study of this subject.

While there will not be complete agreement on every point made in this book, it is probably the best single volume the pastor or layman can have on the subject. It is a well-outlined, well-indexed work, valuable for study, reference, and for the one confronted by today's healing movement.

This review was originally published in The Fundamentalist Journal, December 1984.