Illness, Pain, and Health Care in Early Christianity by Helen Rhee (review)

Reviewed by: Illness, Pain, and Health Care in Early Christianity by Helen Rhee Luke Dysinger O.S.B. Illness, Pain, and Health Care in Early Christianity. By Helen Rhee. ( Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2022. Pp. xvi, 367. $49.99. ISBN 978-0-802-87684-3.) In her recent book, Illness, Pain and Health Care in Early Christianity, Professor Helen Rhee of Westmont College, Santa Barbara, California, offers a comprehensive compilation and discussion of both classical and early Christian texts illustrating [End Page 401] the subjects of physical and spiritual disease, the significance of human pain and suffering, and the provision of health care. These are extremely broad and wide-ranging topics, and the primary and secondary sources the author cites are suitably extensive. These include classical philosophical and medical authors such as Hippocrates and Galen and an appropriately wide spectrum of Christian theologians, biblical commentators, and ascetics. The text is well-organized and systematically divided into three categories: first, health, disease, and illness; second, the significance and understanding of pain; and third, the provision of health care. Within each of these three categories the author cites and discusses carefully chosen primary sources from the Greco-Roman tradition, and then presents relevant corresponding texts from early Christianity. The complex and sometimes bewildering world of classical medicine is clearly summarized and presented under its several aspects, including the interrelationship between formal ("rational") Hippocratic and Galenic medicine, cultic therapy in Asclepian temples, and popular, sometimes magical, therapies. The influence of these therapeutic modalities on the developing Christian community is traced, noting acceptance of some classical medical theories and practices as well as Christian ambivalence and occasional outright rejection of others. Although the text is concerned for the most part with physical infirmity and disability, the author also presents examples of classical and Christian approaches to psychological and spiritual maladies. If the author plans future editions of this text, it may be appropriate to consider adding certain subjects and expanding others. Although the significance of biblical preaching as a therapeutic modality is discussed, the equally important and recurring theme of the Eucharist as "the medicine of immortality—the antidote to prevent our dying" and its later patristic development is worthy of mention (Ignatius of Antioch, Letter to the Ephesians, 20.1.). While the author particularly highlights the notion of Christ as physician (Christus medicus/Christos iatros) in Augustine, earlier use of this metaphor could also be profitably noted (Ignatius, Letter to the Ephesians, 7.2). Finally, the vivid contrast between Christian absolute and continuous opposition to abortion and infanticide (Didache, 2.2; Letter to Barnabas, 19.5 Tertullian, On the Soul, 25; Basil, Letter 188.2; Jerome, Letter 22.13; Chrysostom, Homily (on John) 28.5; Augustine, On Marriage and Concupiscence, 1.17[15]) could be contrasted with the mild disapproval and grudging permissibility (and occasional philosophical encouragement (Aristotle, Politics 7.14.10.1335b) of these practices in classical sources (Hippocrates, On the Diseases of Women, bk.1,70.5; Soranus, Gynecology, bk.4, 4.9, 1-3, 60-64). In summary, Illness, Pain and Health Care in Early Christianity is a synthetic and accurate compilation of texts illustrating both classical medicine and early Christian therapeutic approaches that would be a welcome and valuable addition to any theological library. [End Page 402] Luke Dysinger O.S.B. St. John's Seminary Copyright © 2024 The Catholic University of America Press