Includes bibliographical references (p. [187]-207) and index

Jesus, exorcist and healer -- Healing in early Christianity -- Healing in medieval Christianity -- Healing in early modern Christianity -- Healing in western Christianity's global expansion -- Christianity and the global development of scientific medicine -- Christian healing in the shadow of modern technology and science

"In this book Amanda Porterfield demonstrates that healing has played a major role in the historical development of Christianity as a world religion. Porterfield traces the origin of Christian healing and maps its transformations in the ancient, medieval, and modern worlds. She shows that Christian healing haits genesis in Judean beliefs that sickness and suffering were linked to sin and evil, and that health and healing stemmed from repentance and divine forgiveness. Examining Jesus' activities as a healer and exorcist, she shows how his followers carried his combat against sin and evil and his compassion for suffering into new and very different cultural environments, from the ancient Mediterranean to modern America and beyond. She explores the interplay between Christian healing and medical practice from ancient times up to the present, looks at recent discoveries about religion's biological effects, and considers what these findings mean in light of ages-old traditions about belief and healing."--Jacket