“Health Complications”

Thursday, November 08, 2012

Does James 5:14 prohibit the calling of a doctor when someone is sick because only an elder is mentioned as an individual to be called?

Sincerely,
Feeling Ill

Dear Feeling Ill,

If your question is whether or not a Christian is allowed to use doctors and medicine, the answer is ‘yes’.  Paul told Timothy to take wine medicinally for a sick stomach (1 Tim 5:23), and in Mk 2:17 Jesus states that a sick person needs a doctor.  Jas 5:14 shows the power of prayer in healing, but it doesn’t exclude using medicine.

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