“As It Is Written”: Using Theology as a Scapegoat for Unbelief

According to a 2016 article in the Journal of Religion and Health, some 87.4% of American adults have prayed for divine healing, either for themselves or others, and about a quarter of those practiced the biblical command of “laying hands” on the sick (James 5:14).

While some doubt the efficacy of prayer in healing the sick, others suggest that it is purely psychosomatic, or that, if it does happen, it is considerably rare. Depending on where you live or what circles of Christianity you are a part of (among other factors) it may be that you have not known of anyone who has been healed through prayer.

Yet, healing is not as uncommon as some think…