Description. New Age
medicine is the "health" branch of the New Age Movement
that involves the application of generally Eastern/occult methods
to healing while stressing treatment of the whole Person—body,
mind, and Spirit The term is frequently used interchangeably with
"holistic medicine," although the two are not
necessarily equivalent. The term "alternative medicine"
is also used interchangeably, but it may or may not include New
Age approaches; for example, it may involve novel methods or new
approaches to standard treatments which are not fully tested or
demonstrated.
Founder. None per se.
The term "holistic" (from the Greek holos, meaning
"whole" or "entire") was apparently first
coined by South African prime minister Jan Smuts in his 1926 book Holism
and Evolution, a philosophical work not connected to medicine.
Today, the term "holistic" is applied to many different
fields, e.g., holistic psychology, but usually in connection with
a spiritual or cosmic perspective.
How does it claim to work?
Proponents claim that reliance on allegedly "natural"
and "spiritual" methods of healing offer medical care
superior to that of modern orthodox medicine. Recourse is often
made to various concepts about so-called invisible "life
energies" as the reason it "works."
Scientific evaluation.
Discredited, despite numerous and vocal claims to the contrary.
Examples of occult potential.
Altered states of consciousness, psychic healing, channeling,
divination, shamanism, and many additional forms of occult
practice.
Major problem. Leading
people into ineffective, dangerous, or occult practices and
philosophy in the name of healing and health.
Biblical/Christian evaluation.
Due to its generally fraudulent or occult nature, the entire realm
of New Age medicine, with few exceptions, is biblically or
ethically prohibited. On the other hand, a truly Christian
holistic medicine is possible where a scientific medical basis is
maintained and emotional or spiritual problems that may affect
physical health are dealt with on the basis of biblical
presuppositions and teachings.
Potential dangers.
False diagnosis and treatment; worsening of a physical condition
or death; fraud; occult hazards: physical, psychological,
spiritual harm.
