Professional Dissertations DMin

Date of Award

1991

Document Type

Project Report

Degree Name

Doctor of Ministry

College

Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary

Program

Doctor of Ministry DMin

First Advisor

P. Gerard Damsteegt

Second Advisor

John F. Duge

Third Advisor

C. Mervyn Maxwell

Abstract

Problem. Current interest in health caused by a recent increase in information on the intimate relationship between degenerative diseases and lifestyle presents a challenge to Seventh-day Adventists in Japan, who have been entrusted with the health-reform message. A lack of proper health education programs based on a holistic understanding of the human person led the author to study the Biblical, philosophical, and scientific data relevant to the psychosomatic relationship and to design a health education program to be implemented by the SDAs in Japan.

Method. Scriptural study on psychosomatic relationships was attempted with exegetical study of seven selected passages, viz., Gen. 2:7; Prov. 17:22; Dan. 1:8-10; Matt. 4:23; 1 Cor. 10:31; 2 Cor. 3:18; and 3 John 2. Study of the Ellen G. White writings from the perspectives of physical, mental, and spiritual dimensions further expounded scriptural principles of holistic health and found ways to apply these in daily life situations. Recent scientific studies were shown to be supportive of the concept of psychosomatic relationships as a key to maintaining good health. Such data are useful for the prevention of psychosomatic diseases. The application of Biblical, Ellen White, and scientific views on psychosomatic relationships was found to be operative in lifestyle programs of health-conditioning centers in the United States, such as Wildwood Lifestyle Center & Hospital (Georgia), Uchee Pines Lifestyle Center (Alabama), and Hartland Lifestyle Center (Virginia). Based on the above studies, a health education program for the Seventh-day Adventists in japan that has incorporated the concept of psychosomatic relationships was developed. It consists of Nutrition, Exercise, Water, Sunlight, Temperance, Air, Rest, and Trust.

Conclusions. From the study one can draw the conclusions that (1) the existence of psychosomatic relationships within individuals is supported by the Bible, the writings of Ellen G. White, and modern science; (2) observing natural laws and utilizing natural remedies provided by the Creator not only to protect humans from disease but promote health; (3) a major object of healthful living is to have a victorious Christian experience, the essence of sanctification; (4) a health education program can be an effective tool of evangelism if practiced individually and employed by Seventh-day Adventist in japan; (5) health education from a holistic perspective will help prepare God's people for the second coming of Christ.

Subject Area

Health education--Japan

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.

DOI

https://dx.doi.org/10.32597/dmin/242/

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