Medical Missions
Dr. Julian Kennedy defends the legitimacy and biblical basis of medical missions against criticism from Rev. Richard Smit, arguing that practical works of mercy (medical care, education, caring for widows and orphans) are a necessary complement to gospel preaching, not a distraction from it. Kennedy grounds his position in Scripture and Reformed examples, contending that such works both facilitate evangelism and demonstrate genuine Christian charity to the whole person.
…While I highly respect Rev. Richard Smit and wholeheartedly endorse what he says about "The Role of Reformed Literature on the Mission Field," he wrote recently (SB, Nov. 15), "the work of missions is not advanced by [among other things]…medical missions. All these things are the outwardly attractive ways of modern missions, and are simply erroneous." I cannot agree for several reasons: 1) The Lord's and His apostles' ministry was not only preaching the word but also healing the sick, albeit...
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