Should Christians go to doctors?
Asking Should Christians go to doctors? raises important questions about God’s providence, the purpose of medicine, and how Scripture understands both healing and human agency. The Bible presents a worldview in which God is the ultimate healer, yet He frequently works through ordinary means—including skilled physicians. Interpreting sickness, healing, and medical care requires understanding the biblical story, where human wholeness is God’s concern, and human participation in that wholeness is one of His chosen instruments.
1. Medicine in the Old Testament: Mandated Care and God’s Provision Through Human Means
The Old Testament shows that physicians were accepted and even required within Israel’s life. Biblical case law mandated practical medical care, demonstrating that tending to the sick was not optional. Exodus 21:19 describes a situation in which medical treatment is expected:
“He shall pay for the loss of his time and shall have him thoroughly healed.”
This passage assumes the involvement of someone skilled in healing. Even though sickness and death entered the world because of sin (Genesis 3:19), that reality is not a reason for believers to avoid practicing medicine or receiving treatment. Instead, the biblical pattern reveals that God uses both natural and supernatural means to bring restoration.
Old Testament signs that God works through human agents
Skilled workers are empowered by God (Exodus 31:2–6), which applies broadly—including medicine.
Wise counsel and skill are seen as gifts from God (Proverbs 1:2–7; 22:17).
Human skill does not compete with divine sovereignty (Psalm 147:3; Psalm 127:1).
The idea that medicine is somehow opposed to faith is foreign to the Old Testament. Instead, God commands His people to act responsibly, seek help when needed, and treat the suffering.
2. Misunderstanding Asa: What 2 Chronicles 16:12 Actually Says
A common objection to Christians going to doctors centers on King Asa:
“In his disease he did not seek the LORD, but sought help from physicians.”
This passage is often misread to imply that seeking a doctor is sinful. But the contrast is not between God versus medicine—it is between self-reliance and faithful dependence. Asa’s failure was spiritual, not medical. He refused to seek God’s help at all (2 Chronicles 16:7–10), trusting instead in human power alone.
What Asa’s story teaches
The problem is not the physician—it is the refusal to seek God.
Using medicine without prayer is faithless; refusing medicine as an act of self-righteousness is also faithless.
God often heals through ordinary means He provides (Psalm 103:2–3; Exodus 15:26).
The biblical worldview holds these truths together: God alone heals, and God often heals through people.
3. The Nature of Healing: Direct Action and Human Agency
Biblical theology presents healing as essential to human wholeness. God cares for physical bodies, emotional wounds, and spiritual renewal. Throughout Scripture, healing comes in various ways:
A. Healing directly from God
God heals the bitter waters (Exodus 15:25).
God heals Miriam (Numbers 12:13–15).
God heals Hezekiah through prophetic prayer (2 Kings 20:5–7).
B. Healing mediated through human action
Isaiah prescribes a poultice for Hezekiah’s boils (2 Kings 20:7).
Oil and bandages appear in Proverbs and in the parable of the Good Samaritan (Proverbs 27:6; Luke 10:34).
Deliverance often involves both prayer and action (Psalm 147:3; Isaiah 38:21).
God’s power does not diminish when He works through human skill. Instead, the skill itself becomes a sign of His care.
4. Physicians in the New Testament: Recognized and Respected
In the New Testament, physicians are present and acknowledged. Luke—the author of Luke and Acts—is called “the beloved physician” (Colossians 4:14). His profession is noted positively, not corrected or condemned. Jesus Himself declares:
“Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick” (Matthew 9:12).
This assumes the legitimacy of medical professionals. Jesus uses the physician metaphor precisely because it was a respected and intelligible role.
The New Testament reality of ancient medicine
Medical care existed but was limited.
Treatments often reflected incomplete understanding.
Only the wealthy had access to skilled physicians.
Even so, Scripture never portrays medical care as unspiritual. It simply acknowledges its limitations and points toward the deeper healing Christ brings.
5. Healing in the Early Church: Spiritual Gifts and Human Compassion
The New Testament church recognized both prayer for healing and the role of human compassion. Healing appears as a spiritual gift (1 Corinthians 12:9; 12:28), and the church was instructed to pray for the sick (James 5:14–16). The early Christian community’s approach reveals both truths:
God heals supernaturally through prayer.
God heals through human hands, skill, and presence.
Care for the sick reflects the character of Christ (Matthew 25:36).
Spiritual healing and medical healing never oppose one another. Both are expressions of God’s desire for human wholeness.
6. A Christian answer: Yes, Christians should go to doctors—and also seek God
The biblical theology of healing points to a balanced view. Christians should feel complete freedom to seek medical treatment, trusting that:
God is the healer,
medicine is His gift,
doctors are His instruments,
prayer is essential,
and healing—when it comes—is from God alone.
What faithful use of medicine looks like
Seeking medical treatment with thanksgiving (James 1:17).
Praying before, during, and after treatment (Philippians 4:6–7).
Trusting God whether healing is immediate, gradual, or complete in resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:53–57).
Recognizing that suffering can form Christlike endurance (Romans 5:3–5).
Avoiding the extremes of rejecting medicine or trusting medicine as savior (Psalm 20:7).
A Christian worldview does not separate “medical” and “spiritual” healing. Both are expressions of God’s ongoing care through His Son, who healed the sick, bore our infirmities, and will ultimately raise our bodies in glory.
Bible Verses About Healing and God’s Use of Means
“I am the LORD, your healer.” (Exodus 15:26)
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” (Psalm 147:3)
“Honor physicians… for the Lord created them.” (Ecclesiasticus 38:1–2; historical background)
“In his disease he did not seek the LORD, but sought help from physicians.” (2 Chronicles 16:12)
“The beloved physician greets you.” (Colossians 4:14)
“Those who are sick need a physician.” (Matthew 9:12)
“The prayer of faith will save the one who is sick.” (James 5:15)
“Anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.” (James 5:14)
“He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.” (Matthew 8:17)
“By his wounds you have been healed.” (1 Peter 2:24)
