Medicine and Religion

A Historical Introduction

Nonfiction, Health & Well Being, Medical, Reference, History, Ancient History
Cover of the book Medicine and Religion by Gary B. Ferngren, Johns Hopkins University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Gary B. Ferngren ISBN: 9781421412177
Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press Publication: March 19, 2014
Imprint: Language: English
Author: Gary B. Ferngren
ISBN: 9781421412177
Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press
Publication: March 19, 2014
Imprint:
Language: English

Medicine and Religion is the first book to comprehensively examine the relationship between medicine and religion in the Western tradition from ancient times to the modern era. Beginning with the earliest attempts to heal the body and account for the meaning of illness in the ancient Near East, historian Gary B. Ferngren describes how the polytheistic religions of ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, and Rome and the monotheistic faiths of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam have complemented medicine in the ancient, medieval, and modern periods.

Ferngren paints a broad and detailed portrait of how humans throughout the ages have drawn on specific values of diverse religious traditions in caring for the body. Religious perspectives have informed both the treatment of disease and the provision of health care. And, while tensions have sometimes existed, relations between medicine and religion have often been cooperative and mutually beneficial.

Religious beliefs provided a framework for explaining disease and suffering that was larger than medicine alone could offer. These beliefs furnished a theological basis for a compassionate care of the sick that led to the creation of the hospital and a long tradition of charitable medicine.

Praise for Medicine and Health Care in Early Christianity, by Gary B. Ferngren

"This fine work looks forward as well as backward; it invites fuller reflection of the many senses in which medicine and religion intersect and merits wide readership."—JAMA

"An important book, for students of Christian theology who understand health and healing to be topics of theological interest, and for health care practitioners who seek a historical perspective on the development of the ethos of their vocation."—Journal of Religion and Health

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Medicine and Religion is the first book to comprehensively examine the relationship between medicine and religion in the Western tradition from ancient times to the modern era. Beginning with the earliest attempts to heal the body and account for the meaning of illness in the ancient Near East, historian Gary B. Ferngren describes how the polytheistic religions of ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, and Rome and the monotheistic faiths of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam have complemented medicine in the ancient, medieval, and modern periods.

Ferngren paints a broad and detailed portrait of how humans throughout the ages have drawn on specific values of diverse religious traditions in caring for the body. Religious perspectives have informed both the treatment of disease and the provision of health care. And, while tensions have sometimes existed, relations between medicine and religion have often been cooperative and mutually beneficial.

Religious beliefs provided a framework for explaining disease and suffering that was larger than medicine alone could offer. These beliefs furnished a theological basis for a compassionate care of the sick that led to the creation of the hospital and a long tradition of charitable medicine.

Praise for Medicine and Health Care in Early Christianity, by Gary B. Ferngren

"This fine work looks forward as well as backward; it invites fuller reflection of the many senses in which medicine and religion intersect and merits wide readership."—JAMA

"An important book, for students of Christian theology who understand health and healing to be topics of theological interest, and for health care practitioners who seek a historical perspective on the development of the ethos of their vocation."—Journal of Religion and Health

More books from Johns Hopkins University Press

Cover of the book Light It Up by Gary B. Ferngren
Cover of the book The Philadelphia Country House by Gary B. Ferngren
Cover of the book Being Cool by Gary B. Ferngren
Cover of the book Professors in the Gig Economy by Gary B. Ferngren
Cover of the book Experimental Life by Gary B. Ferngren
Cover of the book Insects by Gary B. Ferngren
Cover of the book Stage Fright by Gary B. Ferngren
Cover of the book Miseducation by Gary B. Ferngren
Cover of the book Killer Apes, Naked Apes, and Just Plain Nasty People by Gary B. Ferngren
Cover of the book Your Maryland by Gary B. Ferngren
Cover of the book American Workers, American Unions by Gary B. Ferngren
Cover of the book Birds of Stone by Gary B. Ferngren
Cover of the book Whitman Possessed by Gary B. Ferngren
Cover of the book The Amish and Technology by Gary B. Ferngren
Cover of the book The Cheese and the Worms by Gary B. Ferngren
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy