I'm fascinated by cultures in...
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I'm fascinated by cultures in which the spiritual leader is also a physical healer. Whether it's the Neanderthal Mo-gur, the African witch doctor or the Native American medicine man, such people were thought to have powerful magic and big medicine. They were thought to be in concert with the spirit world in which decisions were made about natural disasters, mental disturbances, and all sorts of physical conditions. While people respected and revered these spiritual leaders, they were also frequently afraid of them. No one would want to cross someone with such mysterious powers. Although not officially as powerful as the tribal leader, the spiritual leader was often the one who truly ruled.
Jesus called himself the Great Physician. He healed many of their diseases and infirmities, yet he avoided situations in which people might come as spectators to watch him "do magic."
There's a hint of this kind of situation in Acts. The apostles did "many signs and wonders," and the crowds "even carried out the sick into the streets" with the hope that even Peter's shadow had magical powers. It was necessary for the apostles, like spiritual leaders in any age, to resist the temptation to turn spirituality into a circus act.
- Kaul
Jesus called himself the Great Physician. He healed many of their diseases and infirmities, yet he avoided situations in which people might come as spectators to watch him "do magic."
There's a hint of this kind of situation in Acts. The apostles did "many signs and wonders," and the crowds "even carried out the sick into the streets" with the hope that even Peter's shadow had magical powers. It was necessary for the apostles, like spiritual leaders in any age, to resist the temptation to turn spirituality into a circus act.
- Kaul
