Ebook: Healing in the Theology of Saint Ephrem

Ephrem, the most celebrated writer of the Syriac Church, presents a wide range of theological themes and images that are characteristic of fourth-century Syrian Christianity. A significant theme that no one has yet studied in Ephrem, or in any other Syriac writer for that matter, is the concept of sickness and healing. In the course of six chapters, this book presents the significance of healing theology and the ways in which the healing of man - spiritually, mentally, and corporally - is highly valued by Ephrem.

After an introductory discussion on the place of ancient medicine in society with respect to religion, philosophy, and science, the book considers the concept of healing and healing imagery in three selected Syriac works that predate Ephrem: the Odes of Solomon, the Acts of the Apostle Judas Thomas, and Aphrahat's Demonstrations. This is followed by a detailed presentation of Ephrem's healing terminology, analyzing the use of significant terms relating to sickness and healing, and how Ephrem's usage compares with similar terms employed in the Bible. The book then focuses on Ephrem's exegesis of biblical passages that deal with healing, how he incorporates Biblical references to healing and sickness in his theological language, and how he develops and uses them in his arguments against heresies and false interpretations of God's word.

The main part of the book deals with the causes of spiritual sickness and the process of healing, and the way in which Ephrem places them in the divine history of salvation. The cause of spiritual sickness is sin that is the result of the misuse of man's free will and the influence of man's enemy, i.e., Satan, the Evil One. Ephrem understands Adam and Eve's expulsion from paradise as a "fall" into a state of sickness. God provides heavenly medicine for humanity, first through His chosen people, the patriarchs and the prophets, and then through His Son who is the physician par excellence and the medicine of life that is also present in the Church's sacraments for the faithful.