The Bible and Health Advocacy: Ancient Vision, Modern Imperative 

Background

We require Health Care when our health is compromised.

Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.
Luke 10, NRSV

The nature of health care has changed substantially since biblical times, but the importance of health care has remained the same. Consistent with the Social Principles and Book of Resolutions, the General Board of Church and Society advocates for health care as a human right that must be made available to all.

From our earliest days United Methodists have believed that providing health care to others is an important duty of Christians. John Wesley found ways to offer medical services at no cost to the poor in London. The first Methodist Social Creed (adopted in 1908) urged working conditions to safeguard the health of workers and community.

Biblical and Theological Context

The United Methodist Church in its Social Principles regards healthcare as a basic human right, as well as a responsibility both public and private. As the position of the Church elaborates: "We encourage individuals to pursue a healthy lifestyle and ... also recognize the role of governments in ensuring the each individual has access to those elements necessary to good health." (Social Principles, ¶162T) The United Methodist Church's General Conference has also passed a number of health-related resolutions elaborating on the importance of health care for all, and some of the significant issues that keep us from realizing this principle. Healthcare in the United States is beset by three central interlocking problems - cost, access, and quality. Because of deficiencies in the current system, Americans as a whole receive poorer health care than other industrial countries that spend only half as much. The most visible problem is the 46 million Americans who have no health insurance.

Scripture references: Luke 10:25-35 and Ezekiel 34:4.

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