Barna on the ministry of Jesus Christ and how it applies to a Christian response to health care

Here are some excerpts from an essay by George Barna on a Christian response-- not just rhetoric and appeals to public policy-- on the subject of health care...

Barna starts out with a very nice summary of the big picture:

Just one out of every five adults believes that solving poverty is an individual duty, and a mere one out of 25 people assigns that task to non-profit organizations, and another one in 25 assigns it to churches.

As we assess how individuals deal with poverty on a personal level, we find that Americans do get involved, but in a kind of arms-length manner....

Given that mind set, it’s no wonder that the current health care debate centers not on what every American can personally do to help alleviate human suffering, but on how we can get the government to provide a more efficient alternative that will neither break the bank nor hinder our lifestyle....

Then, Barna turns from society as a whole to Christians in particular.

Given the fact that devout Christians mirror these attitudes, it raises the question of what a Christian’s obligation to the poor is in the matter of health care. Should Christians feel comfortable accepting the “let the government handle it” philosophy?

Christian failure here is due to idolatry toward government, a failure to live out the Gospel as disciples of Jesus Christ, the impact of cultural decline and the inertia of compassion atrophy from the extension of government programs over the last 70 years.

From there, Barna turns to seven lessons on health care-- from the healing aspects of Jesus' ministry as recorded in 26 passages by Luke:

1. Jesus healed people because He believed that good health matters.

2. Jesus invested Himself in their healing because He loved and cared for people (Luke 7:13).

3. Jesus healed everyone who presented a medical need because He saw no reason to screen some out as unqualified.

4. Jesus healed every kind of illness He encountered.

5. Jesus pursued them because He saw Himself as a servant.

6. Jesus allowed them to disrupt His schedule because He realized that people’s pain and suffering was their top focus in life.

7. Jesus expected His closest followers to heal others (Luke 9:1; 10:1,9,17).

You can describe Jesus’ health care strategy in four words: whoever, whatever, whenever, wherever....Contrast the Jesus model with the preferred American model. The latter might be described as deciding to throw some money at the problem – but not too much – so that somebody else can do what needs to be done, for those who qualify, in a manner that does not inconvenience us....

Finally, some more specific applications and a closing "challenge":

• Do to others what you would like them to do to you (Luke 7:31).

• Produce results (or, in biblical language, bear fruit) (Luke 6:43-45).

• Do whatever it takes to love God and all people with your heart, mind, strength and soul (Luke 4:8, 6:27-36).

• Always try to do the will of God (Luke 12:29-31).

So, if Jesus went to such lengths to put feet on His health care strategy, what is yours? He did not seem inclined to wait for the government to provide for the poor. His strategy called for people to help people, through the power and ability that He entrusted to His followers. One must wonder if the American preference for government programs is the best solution to the existing needs – and if a nation where 83% of adults label themselves “Christian” can blend that religious connection with a desire for state-based solutions....