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An investigation into the phenomena and practices of spiritual ...

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4.13 ConclusionThis chapter began with an examination <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> process <strong>of</strong> codifying religion; a processevident in <strong>the</strong> origins <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Christian Church <strong>and</strong> continuing today. The historic <strong>and</strong>cultural context <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> denominations that I have outlined is important in order tounderst<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> interpret <strong>the</strong> behaviour observed in <strong>the</strong>se congregations. This chapter notesthat while both congregations share a common root in Protestantism, <strong>the</strong>y have emergedfrom different ethnic <strong>and</strong> social contexts. The congregations observed may use <strong>the</strong> samereligious terminology <strong>and</strong> read <strong>the</strong> same bible passages, yet <strong>the</strong> interpretation is distinctive,as is <strong>the</strong> resulting <strong>the</strong>ology. Behind <strong>the</strong> practice <strong>of</strong> healing lies <strong>the</strong> legacy <strong>of</strong> particularinterpretations <strong>of</strong> doctrine from different hermeneutical <strong>practices</strong>, <strong>and</strong> ultimately this hasbeen codified from different cultural contexts. One example <strong>of</strong> differing underlying beliefs,that shapes <strong>the</strong> practise <strong>of</strong> healing, centre around underst<strong>and</strong>ings <strong>of</strong> eschatology <strong>and</strong>atonement. Christ‟s death, resurrection <strong>and</strong> atonement provide Christians with a concept <strong>of</strong>healing that is realised <strong>and</strong> codified in <strong>the</strong> life <strong>of</strong> Christians in <strong>the</strong> congregations from bothchurches. It is this difference that will be explored fur<strong>the</strong>r in <strong>the</strong> following chapters in acloser examination <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ories <strong>of</strong> healing.148

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