The Bible Instructor as a Health Evangel

There no doubt but that the knowledge of health principles which Seventh-day Advent­ists hold enhances to a marked degree the Bible doctrines which we propagate.

By FRANCES E. BLAKE, Bible Instructor, Michigan Conference

There no doubt but that the knowledge of health principles which Seventh-day Advent­ists hold enhances to a marked degree the Bible doctrines which we propagate. In Medical Min­istry, page 320, the instruction from God's messen­ger is that we are to "combine medical missionary work with the proclamation of the third angel's message."

The Bible instructor who practices and teaches healthful living, has a great advantage over the one who does not. This is true for several reasons, the chief of them being that she will herself enjoy better health. Another benefit is the added respect which she will merit from her readers, for the ma­jority of those whom she contacts are selfishly in­terested in their physical well-being. Their inter­est in a future life is secondary in importance. Thus the teaching of health in its various phases becomes the entering wedge for teaching those truths which we hold to be of first value.

The knowledge of health doctrines is a sound base upon which a satisfying Christian experience can be erected, for is not the body the "temple of God"? It is through the physical channel that man perceives spiritual truth, so it follows that the healthier the channel, the better prepared is one to receive that truth. A good Christian prin­ciple is more effectively taught if it is first exem­plified in a sound body.

How may the Bible instructor's knowledge of physiology, simple preventives, remedial treat­ments, fundamentals of nutrition and cookery, be an asset to her in teaching the doctrines of the ad­vent message, the second coming of Christ, the state of the dead, or the Sabbath?

Just watch the interest awaken and grow as the instructor prefaces her study before an apparently apathetic group in a cottage, with a simple, tact­fully presented study on a health topic. Her audi­ence not only becomes friendly but also quite co­operative as she attempts to bring to them the points of our doctrine. Especially when she sends up a special petition in prayer for anyone in the home who is ill, calling the name if possible, seeds of faith are sown, which God jealously watches and cherishes.

The Bible instructor is wise who is alert to dis­cover an illustration from the fertile fields of phys­iology to apply the spiritual truths she is trying to instill. Such association formed between the phys­ical and the spiritual would result in bringing the spiritual to mind whenever the physical is remem­bered. See how often in His lessons with ancient Israel, God uses these illustrations to impress some obscure lesson.

A Bible instructor whose acquaintance with the interdependent action of the mind and body can with God's help "condition" her readers for the perception and the acceptance of God's will by in­viting them to practice the principles of healthful living for a while, to see for themselves how much better they feel, and how much easier it is to un­derstand the Bible, when they study the Bible in the fresh air or after a moderate meal of whole­some food or after abstaining from tobacco for several days.

It is a challenge to readers and a thrill to the in­structor to watch the transformation after they have practiced these principles for only a short time. The testimonials of victory over wrong hab­its and ignorance truly furnish inspiration to the worker.

Whenever possible the Bible instructor may in­vite one of her readers or a family to dinner and serve a tasty, well-balanced, well-prepared meal.

The results are always worth the effort and ex­pense. They can only be measured in eternity.

This is one form of good news which does travel, and fast, too. As a result of such a meal a cooking school may be organized.

Whenever a crisis occurs in a home, when first aid is essential, the Bible instructor who can fit in right then and there may not only save a life but, by her calmness and efficiency, her trust in God and faith in prayer, be placed in a singularly favorable light. She must not attempt to take the place of the doctor or the trained nurse after they come, but who is to say that she is not to serve to the best of her ability until they are accessible? In these wartimes, when medical helpers are so scarce, and in rural or remote areas, she can enlist the aid of holy angels in ministry to the afflicted in times of emergency.

A rousing interest in the study of health prin­ciples can be developed by the instructor in our churches and sometimes be more effective than the same efforts put forth by the minister. "The re­fining, softening influence of Christian women is needed in the great work of preaching the truth." Review and Herald, Jan. 2, 1879.

Of first importance is example. The Bible in­structor must be an example in healthful dress, healthful diet, and the observance of health habits. Practice should precede preaching, it is true, but in the field of health evangelism there must be the preaching too. God has signally blessed, and will continue to bless, the army of His evangels of mercy, who, like His own dear Son, "went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed."


Ministry reserves the right to approve, disapprove, and delete comments at our discretion and will not be able to respond to inquiries about these comments. Please ensure that your words are respectful, courteous, and relevant.

comments powered by Disqus

By FRANCES E. BLAKE, Bible Instructor, Michigan Conference

January 1945

Download PDF
Ministry Cover

More Articles In This Issue

A Million Dollar Recostruction Project

Highlights from the last Autumn Council

S.D.A. Church Advance in 1943

More Autumn council highlights.

The Jews in America

A look at religious world trends.

Visualize the One-man Audience

Are you planning a series of radio broadcasts?

"Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation"

There is abundant evidence that the book Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation was considered by Mrs. White as a timely and im­portant volume, containing the message needed by the world, and she bespoke for it a wide distribu­tion.

Sabbath School Establishes Believers

Sabbath school is the greatest holding agency of the denomination.

Organizing Speedier Campaigns

Perhaps some think that we ought to talk of longer campaigns rather than speedier cam­paigns.

The Small-Town Effort

There are three words that might well be the motto and watchword of one who conducts a small-town effort—courage, persistence, and adapt­ability.

Interviewing Young People

Is counseling young people a duty or a delight?

Not a Block to Be Moved, Nor a Pin to Be Stirred

The Inclusiveness of the Fundamentals (Part 2)

View All Issue Contents

Digital delivery

If you're a print subscriber, we'll complement your print copy of Ministry with an electronic version.

Sign up
Advertisement - SermonView - Medium Rect (300x250)

Recent issues

See All
Advertisement - SermonView - WideSkyscraper (160x600)