Christian Ministry of Healing on its Way to the Year 2000: An Archaeology of Medical Missions

1995 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 295-307
Author(s):  
Gerard Jansen
Keyword(s):  
Medical Missions ◽  
Medical Mission ◽  
New Era ◽  
Missionary Movement ◽  
History Of ◽  
Medical Missionary ◽  
Year 2000 ◽  
New Millennium

Taking stock of the values and experiences accumulated in the history of medical mission is essential before entering a new millennium. This article offers a terse account of the development of the medical missionary movement viewed from the point of indigenization. In this end phrase of the classic medical mission, the new concept of mission in six continents has not yet been thought through for the new era of the Christian ministry of healing. An archaeology of medical missions has to be attempted in order to determine which values are worthy for transportation to a new millennium.

‘The Heavy Artillery of the Missionary Army’: The Domestic Importance of the Nineteenth-Century Medical Missionary

1982 ◽  
Vol 19 ◽  
pp. 287-297 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. F. Walls
Keyword(s):  
Nineteenth Century ◽  
Medical Profession ◽  
Medical Missions ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Missionary Movement ◽  
The First World War ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The One ◽  
Medical Missionary

The history of medical missions is an epiphenomenon of the history of the medical profession. On the one hand they can be seen as a late growth in the missionary movement, and throughout the nineteenth century they required explanation and apology; on the other, they can be seen as present from the movement’s earliest days. After all, when William Carey sailed for India in 1793 his only colleague was a medical man; and a ‘surgeon’ was specifically included amongst the first party sent by the London Missionary Society to the Pacific in 1796. Indeed, generations of missionaries carried out a form of pillbox ministry, gravely administering draughts, lancing excrescences and proceeding by trial and error (‘We soon discovered the unfitness of calomel for African fevers’, observed the Rev. Hope Waddell of Calabar, ‘by its prostrating effect upon ourselves’), Some, like David Livingstone, studied medicine as part of their missionary training, without thereby becoming any special sort of missionary, or one whit less the minister of the Gospel that the ordinary missionary was assumed to be. The difference between this and the developed medical missions which were all but universal by the First World War was created less by developments in missionary thought than by developments in the medical profession.

scholarly journals New Zealand Medical Missions in South China – Ko Tong Hospital in the Kirk Years, 1896-1917

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Louise A. Stevenson
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Western Medicine ◽  
Chinese History ◽  
Medical Missions ◽  
Medical Mission ◽  
Presbyterian Church ◽  
Universal Love ◽  
Missionary Movement ◽  
Medical Missionaries ◽  
Medical Missionary

<p>During the rainy season of 1909, the first hospital of Western medicine opened to the public in the bustling market town of Ko Tong, Upper Panyu, China. Po Wai Yiyuen, or ‘The Hospital of Universal Love’, was a medical missionary endeavour of the Canton Villages Mission (CVM) of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand, the only mission to China from any New Zealand church. This thesis presents the first in-depth biographical and institutional study of the CVM’s medical mission, from its conception in 1898 until the closure of its first temporary hospital at Ko Tong in 1917.   The thesis argues that the trajectory of the CVM’s medical mission closely followed that of earlier medical missions in a crucial era for the presence and development of Western medicine in China. It also shows how local Cantonese responses to the medical mission in Ko Tong were complex and highly pragmatic. The study highlights the importance of relationships between returned New Zealand Chinese miners and medical missionaries. It argues that, despite numerous setbacks, the CVM’s medical mission under the leadership of Dr. John Kirk achieved a level of stability and purpose it would struggle to find again. Unlike much scholarship in New Zealand Chinese history, this research does not focus on the Chinese in New Zealand. Rather, it analyses the work and interactions of Western medical missionaries of the New Zealand Presbyterian Church active in China. A study of this kind draws on and contributes to histories of missions, medicine in China, and New Zealand-China interactions.  The thesis’ three chapters contextualise the medical mission within the pre-existing Protestant missionary movement and medical missionary movement in China, consider how local Cantonese in Ko Tong viewed the ‘foreign doctor’ in their midst, and finally, analyse the influence and leadership of Dr. John Kirk, the hospital’s main superintendent. It does this by examining mission policy, the hospital’s medical care standards, and Kirk’s involvement in medical education. This research utilises primary sources from the Presbyterian Church Archives of New Zealand, highlighting an immensely rich and varied body of archival resources, which has remained largely untapped by historians.</p>

scholarly journals New Zealand Medical Missions in South China – Ko Tong Hospital in the Kirk Years, 1896-1917

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Louise A. Stevenson
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Western Medicine ◽  
Chinese History ◽  
Medical Missions ◽  
Medical Mission ◽  
Presbyterian Church ◽  
Universal Love ◽  
Missionary Movement ◽  
Medical Missionaries ◽  
Medical Missionary

<p>During the rainy season of 1909, the first hospital of Western medicine opened to the public in the bustling market town of Ko Tong, Upper Panyu, China. Po Wai Yiyuen, or ‘The Hospital of Universal Love’, was a medical missionary endeavour of the Canton Villages Mission (CVM) of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand, the only mission to China from any New Zealand church. This thesis presents the first in-depth biographical and institutional study of the CVM’s medical mission, from its conception in 1898 until the closure of its first temporary hospital at Ko Tong in 1917.   The thesis argues that the trajectory of the CVM’s medical mission closely followed that of earlier medical missions in a crucial era for the presence and development of Western medicine in China. It also shows how local Cantonese responses to the medical mission in Ko Tong were complex and highly pragmatic. The study highlights the importance of relationships between returned New Zealand Chinese miners and medical missionaries. It argues that, despite numerous setbacks, the CVM’s medical mission under the leadership of Dr. John Kirk achieved a level of stability and purpose it would struggle to find again. Unlike much scholarship in New Zealand Chinese history, this research does not focus on the Chinese in New Zealand. Rather, it analyses the work and interactions of Western medical missionaries of the New Zealand Presbyterian Church active in China. A study of this kind draws on and contributes to histories of missions, medicine in China, and New Zealand-China interactions.  The thesis’ three chapters contextualise the medical mission within the pre-existing Protestant missionary movement and medical missionary movement in China, consider how local Cantonese in Ko Tong viewed the ‘foreign doctor’ in their midst, and finally, analyse the influence and leadership of Dr. John Kirk, the hospital’s main superintendent. It does this by examining mission policy, the hospital’s medical care standards, and Kirk’s involvement in medical education. This research utilises primary sources from the Presbyterian Church Archives of New Zealand, highlighting an immensely rich and varied body of archival resources, which has remained largely untapped by historians.</p>

Global health: A new paradigm for medical mission?

2020 ◽  
pp. 009182962097238
Author(s):  
Giles N Cattermole
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Global Health ◽  
Medical Missions ◽  
New Paradigm ◽  
Medical Mission ◽  
Christian Mission ◽  
Health Care Context ◽  
History Of ◽  
Global Health Care ◽  
The 19Th Century

This article explores the practice of Christian mission in the developing field of global health care. First, the definition and context of global health is discussed. Second, the history of medical missions is traced, from their origins in biblical healing, through traditional medical missions in the 19th century, to today’s global health-care paradigm. Third, the situation of Christian medical mission today is described – in hospitals and non-governmental organisations, and in partnerships with governments and other secular agencies delivering health care. Two key challenges for Christian mission in the global health-care context are then discussed: increasing distance from individuals and increasing pressure not to evangelise. The reasons for evangelicals sometimes appearing to succumb to this latter pressure are considered. Finally, an attempt to resolve this tension is made in the context of Christian calling and the task all Christians have to make disciples, whatever their role in life.

scholarly journals Considering Medical Missions in all its Different Forms: A Viewpoint from the Asia-Pacific Region

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-52
Author(s):  
Teem-Wing Yip ◽  
Natarajan Rajaraman ◽  
Nathan Grills ◽  
Wei-Leong Goh
Keyword(s):  
Political Development ◽  
Clinical Work ◽  
Asia Pacific ◽  
Pacific Region ◽  
Medical Missions ◽  
Asia Pacific Region ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Medical Mission ◽  
Medical Missionaries ◽  
Medical Missionary

Whereas some medical missionaries may already have moved away from “traditional” models of medical mission, in the experience of the authors from the Asia-Pacific region, many potential medical missionaries in the region still imagine a stereotypical generalist medical missionary who runs a mission hospital.  The authors argue that with the economic and socio-political development of low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in recent decades, the landscape for medical missions has changed.  Hence, contemporary medical missionaries should be well-advised to have specialist qualifications and be more likely to teach, mentor, and do research rather than only doing hands-on clinical work.  Professionalism and quality, rather than “make-do,” should be the norm.  There are more opportunities to partner with and strengthen existing local institutions rather than setting up a Christian health service.  Furthermore, mission opportunities may be available in academia, government, or secular organisations, including places where Christianity has a hostile reception.  Multi-disciplinary expertise and collaboration within health services are increasingly important and provide another opportunity for missions.  Medical missionaries may also come from other LMICs, or from within the same country.  Job-sharing, self-funding, or fly-in-fly-out, may be a viable and legitimate means of sending more medical missionaries.  These non-traditional models of medical mission that incorporate a diversity of approaches, but without sacrificing the “traditional” missional values and practices, should allow even more people to serve in medical missions. The purpose of this paper is to survey this topic in hope of stimulating discussions on non-traditional medical mission opportunities in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.

The Mission Charge to the Twelve and Modern Medical Missions

1974 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 313-328
Author(s):  
John Wilkinson
Keyword(s):  
Medical Missions ◽  
Healing Ministry ◽  
Christian Church ◽  
Protestant Church ◽  
Missionary Movement ◽  
Eighteenth And Nineteenth Centuries ◽  
Medical Missionary ◽  
The Church

The group of imperatives usually known as the Mission Charge to the Twelve Disciples deserves consideration for its own sake since it marks an important climax in our Lord's life and ministry, as well as in the experience of those whom he called to be his disciples. It deserves consideration also because in the process of time it became the justification for the medical missionary movement which arose within the Protestant Church in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Today this movement as part of the great worldwide expansion of the Christian Church appears to be coming to an end. It is appropriate, therefore, to look again at what was claimed to be its biblical basis. This article proposes to do this, and to consider medical missions in relation to the Mission Charge to the Twelve Disciples, and in relation to the modern healing ministry of the Church.

Saving Missionary Skins Saves Patients’ Lives

2014 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-55
Author(s):  
Michelle Renshaw
Keyword(s):  
Patient Outcomes ◽  
Modern Medicine ◽  
Medical Missions ◽  
Legal Environment ◽  
Medical Work ◽  
Early Nineteenth Century ◽  
History Of ◽  
Dangerous Place ◽  
Medical Missionary ◽  
Administrative Strategies

When the first American medical missionary to China established the first western-style hospital in Guangzhou in 1834 the political and legal environment was hostile to foreigners and to missionaries in particular but, in some respects, it was conducive to safe medical practice. Given that the early nineteenth-century hospital in the West was a very dangerous place it was important to limit risk in the hospital if the evangelical mission was to survive. An analysis of Peter Parker’s (1804–1888) reports and case studies reveals not only his superior skill and patient outcomes but also the medical and administrative strategies he employed to minimize risk. The study places Parker’s medical work in a comparative frame; moving away from a mission-centric focus to draw China medical missions into a larger narrative of the history of modern medicine.

Conclusion

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon A. Waldman ◽  
Emre Caliskan
Keyword(s):  
Turkish Republic ◽  
Fragile State ◽  
New Era ◽  
The Public ◽  
Illiberal Democracy ◽  
History Of ◽  
Election Victory

After another election victory, but this time winning almost 52 per cent of the vote, Recep Tayyip Erdogan became the first popularly elected president in the history of the Turkish Republic. In his victory speech, Erdogan vowed to lead Turkey into a "new era of social reconciliation by leaving old disputes in the Old Turkey." He also called on the public to "mobilize our energy for New Turkey”. However, his polarizing rhetoric and steps towards an illiberal democracy may alienate many Turkish discontents, and unless wounds are healed Turkey risks being a weak and fragile state.

China’s South Asia Policy in the ‘New Era’

2019 ◽  
Vol 75 (2) ◽  
pp. 137-154
Author(s):  
Sanjeev Kumar
Keyword(s):  
South Asia ◽  
Security Policy ◽  
Xi Jinping ◽  
New Era ◽  
Low Profile ◽  
Foreign And Security Policy ◽  
Neighbouring Region ◽  
Rise Of China ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Rise Of China

In recent years, there has been a rise in China’s profile in South Asia. It is no surprise that Chinese experts have used terms, such as ‘new springtime’ in China–South Asia relations, ‘rediscovery of the strategic status of South Asia’ and ‘most relevant region with regard to the rise of China’.    The objective of this article is to examine the nature and drivers of China’s South Asia policy, especially under the leadership of Xi Jinping vis-à-vis China’s policy towards the region in the past. It is not sufficient to only examine international factors or foreign and security policy in the context of the neighbouring region, such as South Asia. China’s ‘domestic periphery’ presents a significant threat to its national security. These areas are linked to neighbouring countries of South Asia and Central Asia. The announcement by Chinese President Xi Jinping of a ‘New Era’ or ‘third era’ in the history of Communist Party of China (CPC) represents a China which is known for its dictum ‘striving for achievement’ ( fenfa youwei). This is different from the second era’s policy of ‘keeping a low profile and biding the time’ proposed by Deng Xiaoping. Of course, the name of Mao Zedong is synonymous with the first era beginning from 1949.

A Century of America on Chinese Screens

2010 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 305-323 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhiwei Xiao
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Twentieth Century ◽  
Print Media ◽  
The United States ◽  
Sharp Contrast ◽  
American People ◽  
Early Twentieth Century ◽  
History Of ◽  
Chinese Films ◽  
New Millennium

AbstractNo serious study has been published on how Chinese filmmakers have portrayed the United States and the American people over the last century. The number of such films is not large. That fact stands in sharp contrast not only to the number of "China pictures" produced in the United States, which is not surprising, but also in contrast to the major role played by Chinese print media. This essay surveys the history of Chinese cinematic images of America from the early twentieth century to the new millennium and notes the shifts from mostly positive portrayal in the pre-1949 Chinese films, to universal condemnation during the Mao years and to a more nuanced, complex, and multi-colored presentation of the last few decades.

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