The Bible is a book of wisdom and instruction that God gave all of mankind in order that they may lead healthy, productive joyful lives. How mankind cares for his health is important to God “you must honor God with your body” (1 Corinthians 6:19 -20). The Bible guides mankind on how to have physical, emotional and spiritual health (Faith and health connection, 2014). God makes it very clear that health is more than being free of illness; it involves the soul (Got questions, 2002). “I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well (3 John, 1:2). Having health problems is inevitable. Having vigor, perseverance, love and joy, despite having imperfect health, is truly living life fully. Freedom from disease is just existence.

      The foundation of nursing has taught that true health is more than the absence of disease (Glembrocki, Fitzapatrick, 2013). Nursing was founded on Biblical principles (Glembrocki, Fitzapatrick, 2013). In the last five decades nursing has moved from tradition to more of a medical model of fighting disease (Glembrocki, Fitzapatrick, 2013). The founders of nursing were acutely aware, that to have a healthy population, people had to receive care that not only fought bacteria, managed symptoms, and maintained health; they had to minister to the person’s soul (Glembrocki, Fitzapatrick, 2013).  This is the art of nursing. “A cheerful heart does well like medicine, but a broken sprit make one sick (Proverbs, 17:22).

     The current patient satisfaction scores and readmission rates to hospitals are demonstrating that despite advanced medical science, something is missing in patient care (Glembrocki, Fitzapatrick, 2013). Nurses are leaving the bedside at record rate it is estimated that by 2025 there will be a vacancy of a quarter of a million bedside nurses (Glembrocki, Fitzapatrick, 2013). Nurses are the surveillance system in the hospitals to protect the population (Glembrocki, Fitzapatrick, 2013).  Without well trained and adequate number of bedside nurses the entire population is at danger (Glembrocki, Fitzapatrick, 2013).  The nursing shortage is a profound health care epidemic that could have devastating consequences on the wellbeing of the United States (Glembrocki, Fitzapatrick, 2013).

     Nurses have moved away from the art of their profession. To truly be effective for the care of the population a nurse must practice art and science of healing. By nursing compromising the Biblical institutions from which it was constructed it is in essence destroying it own foundation (Chapman, 2006). “Everyone who comes to me and hears my word and does them, I will show you what he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on rock, and when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built, but the one who has and does not do them is like a man who built a house on ground without a foundation when the stream broke against it, it immediately fell, and the ruin of the house was great “( Luke,6-47-49). The mother of nursing Florence Nightingale made it clear that to work with the living body, the temple of God’s Sprit, is one of the finest arts of all (Glembrocki, Fitzapatrick, 2013). The passion of nursing must found again and given to the next generations of nurses.

     The greatest duty of the leaders in nursing is to help everyone in their profession understands that their work is a sacred (Chapman, 2006). That by promoting health care cultures of radical loving care, health care systems and society can be transformed to be holistically healthy (Chapman, 2006). As Christian nurses we are commanded to provide this kind of love “Love thy neighbor as yourself” (Mathew, 22:35). “Therefore go make disciples of all the nations” (Mathew, 28:16-20). The mother of nursing already knew without God man is dead.  Health is a proper understanding of God’s truth and a restored relationship with God through the sacrifice of Jesus (Chapman, 2006). “You will show me the path of life; in your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore (Psalm 16:11). As a Christian nurse we must define health in a much different way than the rest of society.

     Nursing must provide evidence based scientific care to optimally care for the population (Glembrocki, Fitzapatrick, 2013).  It may be argued that science has no place for Biblical principles but, nothing could be further from the truth. Society today looks at the Bible as a quaint antiquated book that is seeped full of tradition, which is no longer applicable to society (Chapman, 2006). The Bible supports many scientific principles in modern health care (Got questions, 2002).

     The definition of science is the discovery of an orderly consistent method to learn how things work and being able to replicate the findings (Chapman, 2006). The Mosaic health laws have been confirmed by scientist and physicians, to be very effective at providing health conditions that improve public health despite coming from ancient text (Got questions, 2002). The Mosaic health laws included health promotion by encouraging effective sewage disposal, preventing water and food contamination,  isolating infectious disease, preventing infectious disease, and education on a variety of health topics (Got questions, 2002). One example of population health care in the Bible is “ take care in case of leprous disease to be very careful to do according to all that Leviticus  priest shall direct you as I command them so you shall be careful to do ( Deuteronomy, 24:8).

     The world  today is filled with so much evil, school shootings, terrorism, racism, wars, poverty, crime to name a few. The world is in desperate need of loving kindness (Chapman, 2006). In Japan the elderly were once considered sacred treasures are now forgotten by the younger generation (Chapman, 2006). The elderly are literally dying of loneliness (Chapman, 2006). It has become such a problem, scientist are trying to make robots that replicate gestures of loving kindness (Chapman, 2006). Are we willing as humans to give the one thing that defines are humanity, away to robots (Chapman, 2006).

     It requires great courage to be present for those that are sick and in need (Chapman, 2006). God says there is no ministry that is more pure in his eyes “pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction” (James, 1:2). The profession of nursing is one of the greatest ministry’s for showing the love of God to the world. Each patient the nurse encounter is a sacred moment given, to show the love of God through action of caring (Chapman, 2006). Many patients leave the hospital cured of illness, but have broken souls because of the treatment they receive (Chapman, 2006).

     Love is the greatest demonstration of humanity (Chapman, 2006). Cultures can be influence by the actions of one person. This is demonstrated by such people as, Martian Luther King, Mother Theresa, and Oskar Schindler, their courageous act of kindness change the world for generations to come. As Christians we have received the greatest Love of all. “ Therefore, as God is chosen people, holy and dearly loved clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another forgive, as the Lord forgave you and all these virtues put love which bring them all together in perfect unity “ ( Colossian, 3:12-14). We have been given Love, forgiveness, life, security, and home. Through are actions we have the ability to share that Love to our patients, community, family, church, nation and self.  The love of God removes all that is destroyed by this world “That is why never give up, through our bodies are dying. Our spirits are being renewed every day “(2 Corinthians 4:16). The Bible is an instruction book that will provide a person with all the wisdom that is needed to lead a healthy life. The Bible also give the Christian nurse instruction on how improve the health of the entire nation medically, spiritually, financially and emotionally.