Spiritual healing in the light of history

Summary

To summarize: we must accept the importance of spontaneous healings for religion. We can distinguish “charismatic” from “sacramental” cures. We should recognize the infrequence of such healings, but we should equally appreciate their reality. We should understand them in terms of realized eschatology, and should provide the occasion by prayer, holy unction and so on, through which such healingmay be brought to the sick. But our primary concern should be right relations with God. We should await the gift of healing with faith and patience; but we should not be over-anxious about it or desire it more than we desire God.