In the fifth chapter of the epistle of James we find directions given as to how a Christian should proceed in time of affliction. The fourteenth verse deals with the healing of disease as follows: "Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord." There are those who cite this passage as Scriptural authority for the use of drugs in the treatment of disease, and assert that this statement conflicts with the Christian Science teaching that there is no healing power in material remedies. This criticism is based upon a literal and modern construction of the phrase "'anointing him with oil," separating it entirely from its immediate context and from the general teaching of the Bible. Such literal rendition of the phrase does not accord with the teaching and work of Christ Jesus. It is only when taken as a figurative expression that it harmonizes with the Christ-method of healing, and in this way it is accepted and applied in Christian Science. The spiritual truth thus symbolized is practical and inspiring, and bountifully rewards the effort to transcend the material form.
The argument that the phrase quoted supports medical methods of treating disease is specious, for the prescription of an ointment or of oil as a panacea for all forms of sickness is not in accord with the material methods of that time or of any period since. The modern prescription to anoint with oil is given in the name of medical science, so called, and not "in the name of the Lord," as the Bible requires; nor does such a prescription include prayer, which the epistle recites as the first condition for healing.
The whole chapter in which this verse occurs is radical in its condemnation of reliance upon material means, but strongly urges reliance upon God for aid. A single phrase cannot properly be construed as directly conflicting with the rest of the chapter by counseling reliance upon matter instead of Spirit. Anointing the sick, when not a religious ceremony, was due to ignorance and superstition, as shown by Light foot's citation of the Talmud and by his paraphrase of the verse in question, as follows: "It is customary for the unbelieving Jews to use anointing of the sick joined with magical and enchanting muttering; but how infinitely better it is to join the pious prayers of the elders of the church to the anointing of the sick." After two thousand years of Christian teaching, is it not still better for the student to drop all material ministrations and rely wholly upon God, "who healeth all thy diseases." Definite authority for such a step is contained in the fifteenth verse, which says, "The prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up." This squarely contradicts the supposition of healing power in olive oil or any other material remedy or drug. The sixteenth verse contains the admonition: "Pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." Reliance upon an unintelligent drug does not comply with this teaching.
