Life is a journey. There was a time when I did not give much thought to health, yet somehow, I found myself becoming a pharmacist; that’s a story unto itself. Anyway, during high school and college, I became intrigued by herbalism and aromatherapy. I found myself drawn to the idea of natural and holistic health. I will be honest, I loved walking into stores filled with pretty crystals, the scent of nag champa in the air, and shelves lined with all kinds of nifty items to explore. At that point in my life, I believed in God, but I was not interested in attending church and placed no value on living as a Christian.
Through pharmacy school and my work as a pharmacist, I set aside my interest in natural health and adhered strictly to the Western allopathic model. But as you can tell, that did not quite work out for me. As you know, I left pharmacy to pursue herbalism and aromatherapy. It was during pharmacy school that I recognized my need for God, and since then, I’ve been growing in His Word. For a long time, I saw my career and faith journey as separate paths, almost like parallel timelines in my mind. For a long time, I viewed my career and my faith journey as two separate paths (two separate timelines in my head), though I was aware at times that they were intertwined, nonetheless, in truth, I was still blind. Now, I can see how intricately intertwined these paths have always been.
After leaving the pharmacy profession, I found myself working with other health professionals who also left the mainstream allopathic field to help people holistically. And bonus, they all professed to be Christians. I was excited to be part of this group—it seemed perfect. But little by little, I began to notice red flags. It was not uncommon to hear words and phrases like "vibration," "frequency," "quantum body," and "I’m not religious, I’m spiritual" which made me uncomfortable. At first, I could not pinpoint why I felt so uncomfortable. I just kept reminding myself that I should not judge, I was there to care for others’ health and well-being. But in ignoring these nagging feelings, I was setting aside discernment.
The History and Meaning of "Holistic"
The term "holistic" originates from the Greek word "holos," meaning "whole." It was popularized in the 20th century by Jan Smuts in his book Holism and Evolution (1926), where he described "holism" as the tendency in nature to form wholes that are greater than the sum of their parts. Smuts even referred to holism as the cause of evolution. Over time, the term has evolved to represent a health philosophy that considers the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—rather than just treating symptoms. This approach has been widely adopted in alternative medicine practices, including astrology, tarot, reiki, and the use of crystals as transformative healing tools.
The holistic approach often emphasizes self-care and self-empowerment, which can shift the focus from God to the individual. This emphasis on the self can foster an attitude where personal well-being is prioritized, such as found in the Word of Faith and New Apostolic Reformation movements. As Christians, we are called to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow Jesus (Luke 9:23). When self-care becomes our primary focus, we risk placing ourselves above God, subtly leading us away from our dependence on Him.
The more time I spend in the Word, the more I realize how important it is to set ourselves apart from the culture, especially from alluring aspects that lead us astray. As I grow in my faith, I can to see the dangers of blending New Age and New Thought ideas with Christian beliefs and why it’s important to be cautious about using terms like "holistic" and engaging in practices that prioritize self over God.
Romans 12:2 says, Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
The Dangers of New Age and New Thought
Holistic health practices frequently blend with New Age and New Thought philosophies, incorporating spiritual elements that may seem compatible with Christianity but conflict with biblical teachings. These practices can pave the way for spiritual deception, diverting us from the truth of the Gospel. Having experienced this firsthand, I understand how easy it is to be misled when we are not firmly grounded in Scripture.
I enjoy listening to a wide range of speakers, especially apologists like Melissa Dougherty. If you’re interested in apologetics, I highly recommend checking out her YouTube channel. Through her teachings, I've learned that it's important to be cautious not only of New Age beliefs but also of New Thought. Emerging in the mid-1800s with figures such as Phineas Quimby and Mary Baker Eddy, New Thought advocates for the power of the mind to heal and shape reality, emphasizing positive thinking and affirmations to achieve health and prosperity. This focus on the mind’s power represents a significant departure from biblical truth, which calls us to rely on God's sovereignty and trust in His will rather than our abilities.
The holistic perspective can subtly shift a Christian’s worldview, encouraging us to view health and wellness as something we can control through our efforts. This self-focus can foster attitudes such as those found in Word of Faith and New Apostolic Reformation movements, where practices like "decreeing and declaring" or "manifesting" are common. These practices suggest that our words and thoughts have the power to shape our reality and bring about personal desires. This mindset leads us away from trusting in and relying on God, instead, leading us to believe we have the power and authority of God. While it is important to care for our bodies, as they are made in God's image and are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20), we must remember that true wholeness and healing come from God, not from our abilities or practices.
Colossians 2:10 And in Christ, you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.
Conclusion
My journey has taught me the importance of being discerning about the language we use and the practices we adopt as Christians. We are called to cast all our anxieties on the Lord, fully trusting in His care rather than relying on our efforts. This is the true definition of self-care in Christianity—caring for ourselves by surrendering to God’s will and trusting in His provision.
Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
While holistic health and self-care might appear appealing, they can lead us away from God and toward a self-centered worldview. It is not wrong to take care of yourself, you should absolutely take care of yourself, but it is crucial to approach it with discernment. Like the Bereans, who examined the Scriptures daily to see if what they were hearing was true, I urge you to be vigilant and grounded in the Word of God as you explore personal health and wellness (1 Thessalonians 5:21).
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