The Dark Side of Prayer for Healing

This paper explores the relationship between disability and pentecostal theologies and practices of healing. First, it draws on the testimony of people with a disability, describing the challenge of being the “elephant in the room”: the obviously unhealed in a social space in which supernatural heal...

Full description

Saved in:  
Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Clifton, Shane (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Check availability: HBZ Gateway
Journals Online & Print:
Drawer...
Fernleihe:Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste
Published: Brill 2014
In: Pneuma
Year: 2014, Volume: 36, Issue: 2, Pages: 204-225
Further subjects:B Healing disability sickness well-being virtue
Online Access: Volltext (Verlag)
Description
Summary:This paper explores the relationship between disability and pentecostal theologies and practices of healing. First, it draws on the testimony of people with a disability, describing the challenge of being the “elephant in the room”: the obviously unhealed in a social space in which supernatural healing is understood to be connected to the gospel, a reward of faith, and a central part of a life and ministry of the church. Second, it deconstructs pentecostal theologies and practices of healing, identifying their potentially alienating effect. Finally, it proposes an alternative orientation, replacing the emphasis upon divine healing with a focus on well-being. To this end, it draws on the holistic intention of the pentecostal Full Gospel and relates this to the virtue tradition, with its concern for long-term flourishing in the midst of the hardship and fragility of life.
ISSN:1570-0747
Contains:In: Pneuma
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1163/15700747-03602003