Medicine, Miracle and Magic in New Testament Times

by Howard Clark Kee

This book sketches and illustrates in detail the range of understandings of the human condition and remedies for ills that prevailed when Jesus and the apostles - as well as their successors - were spreading the Christian message and launching Christian communities in the Graeco-Roman world. Healing played so prominent a part in Jesus' ministry as depicted in the New Testament that it is important to understand that aspect of his appeal in the context of the ways in which it was understood by Greeks, Romans and Jews of the time. Some saw sickness as the result of magic performed against the victims by enemies, others as the work of demons. Some saw health as the result of ordering life according to nature, emphasising the beneficial effects of natural substances. Jewish attitudes, for example, ranged widely over the centuries from hostility towards physicians to regard for them as men endowed by God with special knowledge for human benefit.

Genres: Religion

188 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

Reviews

[Lee Murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an academic book, written as a stand alone study of medicine, miracle, and magic in the New Testament world.

It compares and analyzes major commentaries and studies on this subject and makes analytical judgements on these writings and then summarizing them.

If you are familiar with academic writing, you are familiar with the style. For others it will be tedious and difficult to read.

Excellent book on the subject; highly recommended. This version was printed in 1988. There may be an update or newer works in the subject.