Drugs in the Bible
Did you know that the word “drug” does not appear in the Bible?Additionally, only in certain translations does the word “medicine” appear.
Most of the translations that use the word medicine do so in a common language way such as “a taste of his own medicine”. In contrast, Young’s Literal Translation of Proverbs 17:22: says, “A rejoicing heart doth good to the body, and a smitten spirit drieth the bone.”
The word, “Pharmacology” does not appear in the bible. Or does it?
Galatians 5:19-21 says;
“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, (20) Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, (21) Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Did you know that the word “witchcraft” as used above actually comes from the Greek word pharmakeia? According to the online encyclopedia Wikipedia, “Pharmakeia is a Greek word that appears several times in the New Testament, including the Epistle to the Galatians and the Book of Revelation. It is frequently translated as "witchcraft" or "sorcery."
In a published interview on September 8, 1972, Billy Graham was asked the question, “What part can organized religion play in combating the growing drug problem?” He answered. “The word "pharmacia," which is a Greek word that we translate in the Bible "witchcraft" is the root word that we get the word drug from. And, there is a relationship of some sort.”
There is much discussion as to medicines being either good or bad for us as a society. But we must couch this discussion in several facts. Americans take more drugs than any other society. In fact we take more drugs than any society in the entire history of mankind! Unfortunately, America is far down the list of healthiest nations according to the World Health Organization.
We could continue both a biblical and scientific argument on the usage of drugs and their effects forever. But the one overlying question that I believe is never answered is this. Did God really make us so poorly that we should need all the chemicals we artificially put into our bodies just to experience the health He gave us? Did God make a mistake and forget to give us things we need to resist disease, or feel good?
My answer to this question is what has continually driven me in my chosen profession of chiropractic. I believe that we have health inside of each and every one of us. All we need to do is to remove man-made interference to experience that God given gift of health. As a doctor, I do not claim to have all the answers. But I do know where the answers are!