Less Medicine, More Health from Dr. Gilbert Welch
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Less Medicine, More Health from Dr. Gilbert Welch

Updated: 5 hours ago


Video from Beacon Press


Less Medicine, More Health from Dr. Gilbert Welch

Dr. H. Gilbert Welch is an academic physician, a professor at Dartmouth Medical School, and a nationally recognized expert on the effects of medical testing. He sees the value of medical care, particularly in those who are acutely ill or injured. But in many other settings, we have exaggerated the benefits of medical care and understated its harms. In this video, Dr. Welch examines some widely held assumptions about the value of medical care. Assumptions covered 1 – All risks can be lowered 2 – It’s always better to fix the problem 3 – Sooner detection is always better 4 – It never hurts to get more information 5 – Action is always better than inaction 6 – Newer is always better 7 – It’s all about avoiding death


Health is not something you can ever maintain in its pristine state. We will age and our bodies will become less “healthy”. All we can do is maintain and stave off decline.

God has designed the human body so that it is a finely tuned instrument is very resilient. Our bodies can endure fractures, lacerations, constant pain, and prolonged stress.

The Bible provides us with the foundational principles of physical and mental health. “My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity . . . This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones” Proverbs 3:1-2, 8.

It should not be a surprise to us that obedience to God’s commandments and laws would promote health. When we obey God's laws and principles, we operate in accordance with His instructions. As our Creator, He knows what’s best for us: “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man” Ecclesiastes 12:13.

God is more interested in our spiritual health than our physical well-being, yet He does want us to be physically healthy as well. The reality is disease is a result of Adam’s sin and the resulting futility of the world. Even the most righteous may suffer. Job was righteous and his situation gives us a glimpse of what happens behind the scenes. Suffering is a part of our lives and often God allows us to suffer disease and hardship to his glory.


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