Understanding the Health Message: Part 2 of the Dunamis Series

Welcome back to Part 2 of our Dunamis Series! In this segment, we delve deeper into the concept of dunamis, which means potential or power. Our focus remains on God’s original plan for the Seventh-day Adventist Church, emphasizing the integration of health and gospel work. We will explore how we have deviated from this divine blueprint and discuss God’s plan to realign us with His original design.

The Prophetic Importance of Our Work

Before diving into the specifics of the health message, it’s essential to acknowledge the prophetic significance of the work God wants to accomplish through us. As highlighted in Counsels on Health, page 215, God has equipped His people to enlighten the world, and our work is to deepen in significance and efficacy until it shall encircle the globe. He has entrusted us with the responsibility to extend His work globally through:

• Sanitariums
• Schools
• Publishing houses
• Kindred facilities

This quote, as well as others that highlight the prophetic significance of our work, leads us to a critical question: Why don’t Seventh-day Adventists have a prominent global presence in effective drugless healing today?

Historical Overview of the Health Message

To answer this question, we will first explore the historical development of our health message, starting with the health message visions.

Key Milestones in Health Message Development

• Autumn 1848 & February 12, 1854: Minor health-related visions received by Ellen G. White (EGW).
• June 6, 1863: The first major comprehensive health vision occurred in Otsego, Michigan, during family worship.
• 1863-1864: EGW wrote a series of six articles that were documented in the pamphlet How to Live.
• December 25, 1865: A second major health vision called for the establishment of a medical institution.

The Purpose Behind the Health Message

The health message is rooted in biblical principles, as seen in:

• 1 Corinthians 6:19-20: Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, and we must care for them.
• 3 John 1:2: God desires for us to prosper in health as we do spiritually.

EGW emphasizes that the health of our bodies is directly connected to our character development. Our physical well-being facilitates the growth of a righteous character and allows divine truths to penetrate our hearts.

The Medical Landscape of the 1800s

During the time the health message was revealed, common medical practices included:

• Leeching and bloodletting
• Cupping
• Blistering
• Dehydration and purging

In light of these harsh practices, the establishment of sanitariums was intended to reform medical practices and promote a drugless, lifestyle-based approach to health.

The Influence of Early Health Institutions

One significant facility during this era was Our Home on the Hillside, also known as the Jackson Health Resort, which opened in 1852 and emphasized hydrotherapy and healthy lifestyle habits.

The Western Health Reform Institute

The Western Health Reform Institute was established on September 5, 1865, in Battle Creek, Michigan, as the first health institution operating under Seventh-day Adventist health principles. Dr. John Harvey Kellogg became its medical director in 1876, further advancing the health reform movement.

Connection to the Three Angels’ Messages

EGW stated that health reform is closely connected to the Third Angels’ message. It is not merely about physical health but also about achieving spiritual wholeness. Our work aims to integrate healing with evangelism, leading individuals to not only recover physically but also spiritually.

The Legacy of the Health Message

The early therapeutics at the Battle Creek Sanitarium were influenced by the principles established at Our Home on the Hillside. However, the unique combination of health principles and the gospel message set the Seventh-day Adventist integrated health work apart.

Key Takeaways

• Health and Spirituality: The health message is integral to spiritual development and character building.
• Drugless Healing: The focus on natural remedies and lifestyle changes is crucial in our health approach.
• Historical Influence: While early institutions like Our Home on the Hillside had an impact on the therapeutics utilized at the Western Health Reform Institute in its early days, the principles given to EGW by God remain foundational and distinct.

Looking Forward

As we conclude this part of the series, we look forward to Part 3, where we will explore more of the Battle Creek Sanitarium’s history, the controversy that arose between Dr. Kellogg and the ministry, the blueprint for our educational work, and the denominational dilemma. We invite you to join us on this journey of discovery as we seek to realign with God’s original design for health and healing.

Feel free to leave a comments or reach out via email if you are a Seventh-day Adventist healthcare professional, gospel worker, or lay person who wants to explore this topic further.

Thank you for joining us, and we look forward to connecting again in the next session!