Abstract

POTGIETER, Esmari. A biblical evaluation of Healing begins with sanctification of the heart by M.K. Strydom (2013). In Skriflig (Online) [online]. 2020, vol.54, n.1, pp.1-6. ISSN 2305-0853.  http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/ids.v54i1.2486.

Dr Michelle Strydom is a South African trained medical doctor whose conferences and writings have gained her and her ministry, known as 'Eagles' Wings', a large following in South Africa and beyond. Her aim is to open up for her followers 'the Bible from a medical perspective' and 'medicine from a Biblical perspective'. Her views are comprehensively laid out in a book of 751 pages, titled Healing begins with the sanctification of the heart. In this article, the theological premises of Healing begins with the sanctification of the heart are evaluated from a Reformed biblical perspective. Three theological 'leaps' in Strydom's interpretation of the Bible are discussed and three examples are given which illustrate her a-contextual reading of the Bible. The conclusion is that, although Strydom's book contains some valuable insights, her theological framework is largely unbiblical and contrary to the gospel. The purpose of this article is to caution Christian readers against false guarantees of healing such as these offered by Strydom and Eagles' Wings Ministries.

Keywords : M.K. Strydom; Eagles' Wings; healing; disease; prosperity gospel; prosperity gospel in South Africa; Christian view of health; Christian view of sickness.

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