Category Archives: The Bible and Science

The Bible and Science – Healing Wounds/Proliferation and Maturation

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He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3 (NIV)

Keeping in the “vein” of comparing physical wound healing to spiritual I will combine the last two phases into one topic. These phases do overlap in the real world anyway. NOTE: Caring for the wound is important, cleaning and protecting it will speed healing and reduce infection and reinjury. (See Wounds) and (Inflammation)

In studying healing of wounds you will see the term collagen throughout the entire process. From clotting to scar formation collagen keeps showing up. Collagen is a protein. It forms connective tissue and in healing it is the groundwork for cells to move along as the wound closes and new skin is laid down. The composition of collagen speaks to this whole idea of healing. It is a three-strand helix, two similar in composition and the third one slightly different. What a great picture of the Trinity, at least for me, the Father and the Son very similar and the Holy Spirit similar but to me He always seems something just a little unique. Wounds must have collagen to heal properly as it lays down fibers to strengthen the clot and provides for the wounds ability to pull itself closed and for the cells to attach to in forming skin. These fibers form along stress or tension lines that are natural in our skin. (I thought those terms were interesting in the light of spiritual healing. Also the term collagen comes from the glue making process of old; this is when they boiled animal parts it make glue.)

In the proliferation stage when cells are being made to fill in the wound it seems they comeLeishmaniasis_ulcer from the edges of the wound and are made by hair follicles, nerves, and sweat glands. This is interesting because in a scar there are no hair follicles, nerves, and sweat glands, which does present challenges for the body in terms of temperature control, etc. Spiritually, I think that everything that is needed to heal a wound may not be present after the problem is closed. In this phase the wound contracts the edges closing the injured area. If this contracting continues to long a really ugly scar happens and possibly loss of function. This contraction does not necessarily happen uniformly but that just allows for organization of cells on the collagen. In the spirit if we allow ourselves to “close up” to much it is not good, so if God is not in the foundation of this healing it could have to be “cut out” and allowed to heal again.

As the wound “matures” the collagen rearranges and cross-links. This phase will vary in time depending on the initial wound and the care it received, and it may never be as strong as it was originally. When a spiritual wound is “maturing” people may think all kinds of things like “why aren’t you back to full speed” or “you’re a little touchy” but they are not allowing you to heal at your own rate. It is true that you will have to use the injured area but it may never be the same.

During the maturation phase an interesting term showed up it is “apoptosis.” This is when the body is using a controlled process to kill cells that are no longer needed and it is to the body’s advantage to do this. What is needed during a healing process is not always needed after the healing.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wound_healing

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collagen

PIC: By Layne Harris.Helsmack at en.wikipedia [Public domain], from Wikimedia Commons

The Bible and Science – Healing Wounds/Inflammation

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I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security. Jeremiah 33: 6b (NIV)

The second phase of healing a wound (there are four) is inflammation. Inflammation means to ignite or set on fire. The process is part of our body’s defense system and actually helps to heal a wound or injury. After a wound has occurred (blood is clotting) the small blood vessels change and allow blood (plasma, blood proteins, and white cells) to enter the area around the injury – it swells. This increase in fluids (blood) accompanies or causes pain, Screen Shot 2015-07-02 at 11.39.12 AMloss of function, redness and a “hot to the touch” sensation. Discharging pus is a part of this process. We tend to try and control/stop inflammation but it is needed after a wound for healing; if inflammation does not get rid of the problem or continues that is chronic inflammation and can lead to other health issues.

The parallels of physical inflammation to spiritual inflammation are noteworthy. After the initial shock of a wound, we will feel pain, possibly stop doing things, and be touchy; these are natural but it is because “life” (blood) is trying to flood back in. We may/should let loose bad stuff (pus) as part of our healing. In this stage, if we don’t get rid of “stuff” it will stay around and cause other more serious problems or at least delay our healing.

∞ Lord Jesus, we know wounds will come but thank you for healing. Holy Spirit thank you for taking ALL things and using them to bring us closer to Jesus and the Father. Amen.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/248423.php

Pic:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inflammation#/media/File:Wintertenen.jpg

The Bible and Science – Blood

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The blood is the life. Deuteronomy 12:23(NIV)

Wounds (physical/spiritual) are a part of living. Cuts, bruises, or hurt feelings will happen and healing will take place if you let. The Wikipedia article Wound Healing gives four predictable stages in the process of healing a wound: blood clotting, inflammation, the growth of new tissue, and the remodeling of tissue (maturation).

Our blood is amazing, it carries oxygen and nutrients to all parts of the body, removes waste products, and defends against infections, and can self-seal its pipeline. This clotting ability is from platelets and proteins, so it is both a physical and chemical action. Blood knows when to start clotting and stop, and then can remove the “plug” as healing occurs.

The Bible says, “Life is in the blood.” It was the part of the sacrifice that was carried into Bloodbagsthe Holy of Holies. It was the loss of Jesus’ blood that brought redemption and healing to mankind.

As a body part blood weights about ten pounds or approximately 7% of your body. It is internal and only can do its job because of the heart. No other parts of the body can do its job without the unending work of the blood.

∞ Jesus, thank you for the hands, feet, eyes, and mouth of your Body but please help me to the blood in the Body of Christ.

The Bible and Science – Wounds

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(Note to the reader – This may be my first true “think out loud” post. But given the topic, I don’t think it is a problem.)

I will restore you to health and heal your wounds, declares the Lord. Jeremiah 30:17a (NIV)

The different names and types of wounds.

There are many words that our Biblical translators call “wounds” so use a concordance if you are going into a deeper study of a verse. Here are other phrases/words that are associated with wound: stabs, racked with hungry, bruises, welts, dead, slain, casualties, plague, affliction, calamity, blows, slaughter, pain, sorrow, grief.

Causes of wounds.

  • Accidents
  • Disease
  • Enemies
  • Friends
  • Self-inflected – careless or intentionally
  • God allowed

Functions of wounds in the Bible.

  • To hurt
  • To get your attention
  • To heal you
  • To heal someone else

Medical plans for wound care.

  • Primary intention (intention is a planned thing and in medicine, it is the healing process) – This is when a wound is closed by “sewing” it together
  • Secondary intention – The wound is allowed to stay open so infection can drain.
  • Tertiary intention (tertiary is the third plan) – The wound is cleaned and purposely left opened for a time before closing it.

Facts about “natural” healing.

  • Your body has a complicated process for healing that is marked by certain stages. This process can be interrupted by outside causes or other personal issues such as disease in your body.
  • Depth and size of the wound can control the healing process.
  • Wound care can influence the healing process. Cleaning and ointments can speed the process, or at least keep it on course.
  • Wounds can cause visible scars at the point of injury.

∞ Jesus, thank you for the promise in Jeremiah 30: 17. Heal my wounds so that I can be a benefit to the body of Christ. Amen.

See the post – Jesus as Master Healer

The Bible and Science – Newton’s First Law

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I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. Proverbs 4:11(NIV)

Newton’s First of Motion states that an object in motion wants to stay in motion unless Newtonacted on by an outside force. This is known as inertia and the same concept also covers an object at rest. The ubiquitous forces of friction and gravity are always acting on objects here on earth and they do influence motion.

Sitting in a car and you go around a corner, most people have experienced this, and you move slightly away from the direction you are turning. What has happened is your body is trying to go straight while the seatbelt moves you with the car into the turn. A great example of Newton’s First Law; your body followed its initial motion before you started to turn.

What does this have to do Jesus and the Holy Spirit? When you have given control of your life to Jesus and you are moving straight ahead with Him, He will try to keep you in that path. If you start to curve out of that path the Holy Spirit will pull you back in the direction you were going. You can leave the path but you are going to have to work at it.

∞Jesus, thank you for directing our path and leading us in the way we should go. Amen.

https://www.grc.nasa.gov/www/K-12/airplane/newton.html