Probably most of our readers, especially in Wisconsin, have heard the sad story of the 11-year-old girl,
Madeline “Kara” Neumann, who died March 23 because her parents refused to take her to a doctor.
The parents, though not active members of any church, are very religious. For the health of their family they
seem to have been relying exclusively on prayer and not doctors or medicine.
Madeline died of diabetic ketoacidosis, a condition in which her body produces too little insulin. She may have
been ill for 30 days or so with symptoms including nausea, vomiting, thirst, loss of appetite and weakness.
Her mother said she noticed a tiredness “within the past two weeks,” but Madeline seemed to be recovering
just before she died. Doctors say the diabetes was treatable.
One can sympathize somewhat with the family which includes three other children. They have lost a daughter
and sibling, and, of this writing, the parents may still face criminal charges. They did what they thought best.
It isn’t clear why the parents relied strictly on prayer. They say they have nothing against doctors and indeed
have doctor friends
But this case and other similar cases show that the message needs to get out—medical science can be a gift
from God and a way that He answers prayers.
God through medical research has allowed cures for many diseases such as smallpox and polio that once
ravaged mankind. Likewise, the life expectancy of Americans has increased to the point that our founding
fathers would have been amazed.
The medical profession is not perfect, of course, especially when it is used for such procedures as abortion on
demand or the dispensing of illegal drugs.
However, the Bible doesn’t condemn doctors or medicine. Jesus, in fact, seemed to give them his approval when
He said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.” (Matt. 9:12 NIV). Also, St. Luke was a physician
(Col. 4:14) and St. Paul advised taking a little wine for stomach problems. (1 Tim. 5:23)
Yes, the best way to treat ailments is prayer AND the best of medical science. Then leave the outcome to God.
LSI
Madeline “Kara” Neumann, who died March 23 because her parents refused to take her to a doctor.
The parents, though not active members of any church, are very religious. For the health of their family they
seem to have been relying exclusively on prayer and not doctors or medicine.
Madeline died of diabetic ketoacidosis, a condition in which her body produces too little insulin. She may have
been ill for 30 days or so with symptoms including nausea, vomiting, thirst, loss of appetite and weakness.
Her mother said she noticed a tiredness “within the past two weeks,” but Madeline seemed to be recovering
just before she died. Doctors say the diabetes was treatable.
One can sympathize somewhat with the family which includes three other children. They have lost a daughter
and sibling, and, of this writing, the parents may still face criminal charges. They did what they thought best.
It isn’t clear why the parents relied strictly on prayer. They say they have nothing against doctors and indeed
have doctor friends
But this case and other similar cases show that the message needs to get out—medical science can be a gift
from God and a way that He answers prayers.
God through medical research has allowed cures for many diseases such as smallpox and polio that once
ravaged mankind. Likewise, the life expectancy of Americans has increased to the point that our founding
fathers would have been amazed.
The medical profession is not perfect, of course, especially when it is used for such procedures as abortion on
demand or the dispensing of illegal drugs.
However, the Bible doesn’t condemn doctors or medicine. Jesus, in fact, seemed to give them his approval when
He said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.” (Matt. 9:12 NIV). Also, St. Luke was a physician
(Col. 4:14) and St. Paul advised taking a little wine for stomach problems. (1 Tim. 5:23)
Yes, the best way to treat ailments is prayer AND the best of medical science. Then leave the outcome to God.
LSI
| Published 2008 |
God Answers Prayers
Through Medical
Science
by Warren Krug
Through Medical
Science
by Warren Krug