Religion's Place in Nursing

Nurses General Nursing

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I often read Billy Graham's column and thought today's was particulary pertinent to our profession. I'm just curious as to your own personal thoughts and feelings on the matter. (Please, no screaming at one another...this is not a debate.)

Dear Dr. Graham,

I'd like to be a Christian, but I have a hard time believing that Jesus rose from the dead. You see, I'm an intensive care nurse, and I know that once a person dies, that's the end. Maybe you can help me get past these doubts. -- Mrs. K.W.

Dear Mrs. K.W.:

The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is the most important event in all history -- and yes, incredible as it may seem, it really did happen.

In fact, it might interest you to know that one of the Gospels was written by a medical doctor (Luke). Like you, he knew that death is final and irreversible -- and yet he also gave us one of the most extensive accounts of Jesus' resurrection from the dead. Why? Because he had thoroughly investigated the evidence for Jesus' resurrection for himself and he knew only one conclusion was possible: Jesus had come back from the dead.

Why is the resurrection important? Why did God raise Jesus from the dead? One reason was to prove that Jesus was who He said He was: the divine Son of God, sent from heaven to save us from our sins. The Bible says that He "was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 1:4). The resurrection sets Jesus apart from every other person who has ever lived.

But the resurrection points to an even greater truth: Death has now been conquered! The grave is not the end, but heaven's doors are now open! Jesus is alive, and He wants to come into your life today. Why not discover this great truth for yourself by turning to Christ today?

Edited to remove the dead link that stretched things past the edge of the screen - hope it makes it easier to read :)! - Ratched

I wanna know where these churches are where you get criticized for asking questions or having your own thoughts. I've never been in one. Thank you God.

In all the bible studies I've been in, especially before I became a Christian, I questioned and questioned and NO ONE ever criticized me.

All Christians struggle with faith at times. It is the nature of the beast so to speak.

I love Anne Lamott (liberal born-again Christian), Philip Yancey, Brennan Manning . . . . folks who admit to struggling and questioning.

steph

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I wanna know where these churches are where you get criticized for asking questions or having your own thoughts. I've never been in one. Thank you God.

In all the bible studies I've been in, especially before I became a Christian, I questioned and questioned and NO ONE ever criticized me.

All Christians struggle with faith at times. It is the nature of the beast so to speak.

I love Anne Lamott (liberal born-again Christian), Philip Yancey, Brennan Manning . . . . folks who admit to struggling and questioning.

steph

Steph, It's never "open" criticizm...(geez, if they did that, then they would be criticized for un-Christian like behavior) It's the "looks" or if I say something they don't agree with I'm not treated quite as nicely as before...smirks, you know what I mean I think. I also don't agree with much of the "give us your money" attitude in the big organized churches I have been to. I prefer smaller groups and there actually is a church that only has 4 couples in the congregation that has invited my husband and I to go (of course, he never will). The problem with the smaller churches, like this one, is that there is no childcare and who can concentrate on the sermon with toddlers running around and babies screaming?

I do just as well at home and I don't think it matters where you worship, just that you do.

My opinion only...

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Steph, It's never "open" criticizm...(geez, if they did that, then they would be criticized for un-Christian like behavior) It's the "looks" or if I say something they don't agree with I'm not treated quite as nicely as before...smirks, you know what I mean I think. I also don't agree with much of the "give us your money" attitude in the big organized churches I have been to. I prefer smaller groups and there actually is a church that only has 4 couples in the congregation that has invited my husband and I to go (of course, he never will). The problem with the smaller churches, like this one, is that there is no childcare and who can concentrate on the sermon with toddlers running around and babies screaming?

I do just as well at home and I don't think it matters where you worship, just that you do.

My opinion only...

There is a small home group church in our community too but childcare would be an issue for me too with my toddler. Our church doesn't do an offering during the church service. There is a box at the back of the church where those who feel led can leave an offering.

I've never felt judged when I've asked questions - guess I've been lucky. Now your description of your treatment sounds alot like nursing though :)

And you are right, you can worship wherever you are. I just appreciate the fellowship. As an example, my eldest son is going on a mission trip this summer to Mozambique to work in an orphanage. He has been raising money all year and is $400 short and the deadline for airline tickets is here. He called our mission committee and they are sending him the money today. Another couple in our church just adopted a young boy and needed some help building an extra room onto their house. Just about the whole church pitched in to help. When I had my cesarean almost 3 years ago, I had meals delivered to my home for a week which was truthfully hard for me to accept because I'm such a dunce when it comes to accepting help from folks but I have to say the food was greatly appreciated. Not that just people in churches do these kinds of things. But in my church, folks for the most part help out. And don't judge. I'm just lucky I guess.

steph

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Definitely lucky Steph, not that I have ever had any trouble with being criticized, but no one at our church is keen to go out of their way to help people either :(

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There is a small home group church in our community too but childcare would be an issue for me too with my toddler. Our church doesn't do an offering during the church service. There is a box at the back of the church where those who feel led can leave an offering.

I've never felt judged when I've asked questions - guess I've been lucky. Now your description of your treatment sounds alot like nursing though :)

And you are right, you can worship wherever you are. I just appreciate the fellowship. As an example, my eldest son is going on a mission trip this summer to Mozambique to work in an orphanage. He has been raising money all year and is $400 short and the deadline for airline tickets is here. He called our mission committee and they are sending him the money today. Another couple in our church just adopted a young boy and needed some help building an extra room onto their house. Just about the whole church pitched in to help. When I had my cesarean almost 3 years ago, I had meals delivered to my home for a week which was truthfully hard for me to accept because I'm such a dunce when it comes to accepting help from folks but I have to say the food was greatly appreciated. Not that just people in churches do these kinds of things. But in my church, folks for the most part help out. And don't judge. I'm just lucky I guess.

steph

Oh Steph, I'm not judging you at all...I make a concerted effort NOT to judge people. I think you are very lucky to have a church like that...I've heard of them, just never been witness to one or a part of one. How I would love to, because I would like the fellowship as well. *sigh* Someday....maybe I'll find my match.

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whoops..... wrong thread

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Specializes in Oncology/Haemetology/HIV.
I wanna know where these churches are where you get criticized for asking questions or having your own thoughts. I've never been in one. Thank you God.

In all the bible studies I've been in, especially before I became a Christian, I questioned and questioned and NO ONE ever criticized me.

It occurs frequently in the South and was one of the reasons why I am extremely comfortable and happy being a Jew, because we are encouraged to question.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

Steph, there are churches like that. The preacher reads the Bible and tells you what it means and it's only the interpretation of the preacher. What amazes me even more however is the number of people that don't think for themselves, or even think to question. Their preacher says it, they believe it. The Bible says it, they believe it. No questions asked.

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steph,

yeah, well kind of. we don't make up religion out of thin air. we use our mind to look at all belief systems and follow what we are obligated to, rather than depending on somebody else to tell us what to do. i have learned a lot of my religion from native american/first nation citizens. i have gone to a few pow wows, and nature worshiper ceremonies. god created us from the earth ("dust thou art, and to dust though shalt return.") as a universalist, i personally believe that everyone goes to heaven, but how nice heaven is depends on how closely we have followed our discoveries of the right choices. this becomes a life-long search with no easy answers, but we believe in always keeping the mind that we were given open.

love, :kiss

don't keep your mind so open that your brains fall out.

topcat

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Its easier to ask questions during our Sunday School sessions because its in a more informal format. I actually prefer Sunday School for this reason, but I enjoy the worship services also (although I must take it upon myself to find answers to questions I might have about what the pastor is preaching on).

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Specializes in Community Health Nurse.

amen, amen, and again i say amen!!! :balloons:

i often read billy graham's column and thought today's was particulary pertinent to our profession. i'm just curious as to your own personal thoughts and feelings on the matter. (please, no screaming at one another...this is not a debate.)

dear dr. graham,

i'd like to be a christian, but i have a hard time believing that jesus rose from the dead. you see, i'm an intensive care nurse, and i know that once a person dies, that's the end. maybe you can help me get past these doubts. -- mrs. k.w.

dear mrs. k.w.:

the resurrection of jesus christ from the dead is the most important event in all history -- and yes, incredible as it may seem, it really did happen.

in fact, it might interest you to know that one of the gospels was written by a medical doctor (luke). like you, he knew that death is final and irreversible -- and yet he also gave us one of the most extensive accounts of jesus' resurrection from the dead. why? because he had thoroughly investigated the evidence for jesus' resurrection for himself and he knew only one conclusion was possible: jesus had come back from the dead.

why is the resurrection important? why did god raise jesus from the dead? one reason was to prove that jesus was who he said he was: the divine son of god, sent from heaven to save us from our sins. the bible says that he "was declared with power to be the son of god by his resurrection from the dead: jesus christ our lord" (romans 1:4). the resurrection sets jesus apart from every other person who has ever lived.

but the resurrection points to an even greater truth: death has now been conquered! the grave is not the end, but heaven's doors are now open! jesus is alive, and he wants to come into your life today. why not discover this great truth for yourself by turning to christ today?

edited to remove the dead link that stretched things past the edge of the screen - hope it makes it easier to read :)! - ratched

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amen, amen, and again i say amen!!! :balloons:

amen! :)

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