Preacher believes in Wine but NO MEDICINE??

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by coadie

pharmaceutical drugs that Scripture calls "sorcery" (the Greek word pharmacia).

The "pharmacopia" in those days consisted almost exclusively of intoxicants and abortifacients, though there were many otherwise harmless or even useless herbs. Things were pretty hit and miss and there was a lot of ignorance in those days. Thankfully, humanity has moved beyond the realm of superstition and ... uh, never mind.

Among many of the compounds found within the "parmakopia" of the Hellenistic and ancient Roman world were:

misu: a copper ore that was used to prevent pregnancies for "one year."
cannabis: used for a variety of ailments, or just to get "stoned."
St. John's Wort: "Good for whatever ails you"
Garlic: not just for vampires
onions: digestive problems
cumin: flatulence (a common problem after eating a lot of onions) and as a stimulant
figs and dates: pretty much for the same reasons as today
honey: sore throats and dressing wounds
pomegranate: tape worms
tannic acid: "cooling the blood vessels"
frankincense: infections, stop bleeding
poppy seeds: cure insomnia
the goo from the poppy itself: a powerful narcotic
myrtle leaves, birch and willow bark: aspirin

Theodora, the wife of Justinian had complained of not being able to find a drug that would induce abortion. Given the fact that many writers claimed that such compounds existed, it seems that someone in Theodora's position could have found something. And, given the fact that nothing exists today either,* would lead one to suspect the "writers" had exaggerated just a bit.

*Theodora was looking specifically for an late term abortifacient. Homer, Hippocrates, Pythagoras and many others claimed such compounds existed. But they never actually described the compounds either. And still today, "mechanical means" (saline infusion, etc.) are required to perform the late term abortion.

** Don't use anything listed here- it's just for informational purposes. Some of it may help (honey for a sore throat), some won't do a bit of good (frankincense) and it may keep someone from seeking real medical help in a timely fashion. Somethings, like misu - are just plain stupid.

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by missourimary

Exactly what was considered pharmaceutical in the OT and NT? grinding up a willow branch to cure headache? eating mint to settle a stomach? Bible times didn't have science as we now know it. Much of what they used was mixtures of dried herbs and oils of herbs that they had collected.

Though I guess that if you want to argue that it would be pills or scientifically altered things that only come from what we consider a "pharmacy" today, marijuana should be an alternative herbal remedy-all natural and not sold in pharmacies, you know.

That's where a lot of folks like coadie stumble. They see "pharmakos" in Revelation 22:15, and the next thing you know they're in the local Wal-Mart railing against the confused and frightened people behind the pharmacy counter.

coadie calls this "sharing the Good News."

[TJJJ]

Originally Posted by pelathais

That's where a lot of folks like coadie stumble. They see "pharmakos" in Revelation 22:15, and the next thing you know they're in the local Wal-Mart railing against the confused and frightened people behind the pharmacy counter.

coadie calls this "sharing the Good News."

Just see it now!


YOU'RE GOING TO HELL YOU PAGAN SINNER PHARMACYOS ASSISTANT!!!!

REPENT AND THROW THOSE ASPIRINS AWAY!


You crack me up Pel.

[RandyWayne]

I am still waiting for the natural remedy, or insulin substitute, for diabetes. A certain girl from Central WI would love to have know that.

And am ALSO still waiting to hear from LUKE???? about what one would take from the herbal isle if bitten by a rabid animal?

Also, at what point in preparing a 'medicine' does natural turn unnatural? Was it that extra pinch of salt that turned the scales? Or that extra stir of the wooden spoon?