Evangelism and Miracle Healing

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Evangelism and Miracle Healing

Evangelism is the central theme of Christianity. The Church is a continuation of Jesus’ ministry in the world. The apostolic tradition has developed spiritual means to deal with sickness. The ministry of healing is linked to the proclamation of the Christian gospel.

The apostles were empowered with healing power by the Holy Spirit. Philip, the deacon, cast out demons. Acts 14 recounts the incident of a crippled man who walked and leaped when he had faith.

The ministry of healing is linked to the proclamation and practice of the Christian gospel. Evangelism is the central theme of a long apostolic tradition. Christian people know they are locked in an epic battle with demonic powers. However, most professing Christians are not practicing supernatural healing.

A new wave of dominionist/reconstructionist leaders has emerged within Christian activism. These leaders have developed loose associations with right-wing populism. This new phenomenon is called “global spiritual warfare.” It involves an obsession with enemies, violent language, apocalyptic visions, and a centrality of prayer as political praxis.

The idea of “global spiritual warfare” appears as a polemical case of Christian supersessionism. It is also an example of Christian expansionism.

“Global spiritual warfare” explores two related axes: the role of prayer as political praxis, and the centrality of enemy opposition to Christian evangelism. The doctrine of spiritual warriors has been accused of being scripturally ungrounded, leading to unhealthy obsession with the demonic, and absolving individual responsibility for sin.

Christianity dominates the institutional space. While many churchgoers follow the teachings of men, they do not look to the Bible as the authority.