Hi! Today, Dr. James McAndrew talks about faith and medicine.
In five years, he’s the first guest who sent me their testimony ahead of time. His story touched me very much. I could relate to growing up in a “science-based world” with really smart parents.
Unfortunately for me, I didn’t always get science and math as a kid. Sometimes DNA skips a generation! But even back then I understood the power of the right conversation. Maybe you can relate.
I hope you love his thoughts about faith and medicine as much as I do!
A Dialogue, Not a Monologue
You’ll notice a theme with Jim. Life is about good conversations. Whether it’s talking with God in prayer or listening to patients, he’s a big proponent of two-way conversations. Faith, medicine, and good conversations. Amen, brother!
Isn’t all of Life a dialogue, not a monologue?
Please keep reading to the end today because I went back and asked Jim if I could also share his Philosophy of Medicine. This is one you may want to share with your doctors, too! Such good stuff.
Besides all this, you can find the 2 podcasts we did to gather insight from Dr. McAndrew, a retired urologist, about E.D.: E.D.: No Gimmicks, Just Straight Answers from Dr. James McAndrew and Treatments for E.D.: Wives CAN Help with Dr. James McAndrew.
❤️ Faith and Medicine ❤️
Personal Testimony of My Coming to Know Jesus as my Lord and Savior
By Dr. James McAndrew
This is the story of a miracle.
I grew up in a science-based world. My father was a Chemical Engineer and the world view/philosophy of our family was that everything had a scientific explanation. My favorite subjects in school were math and science.
Spiritual Background
We didn’t have much use for religion. My father always worked very hard, putting in long hours. But Sunday was his day to sleep in! Because of that, we didn’t go to church. My mother had gone to church for a while when she was younger.
When I was 6, and we had just moved to Texas, my mother did take as to church twice. I remember coloring a picture of the three Wise Men. One summer, my sister and I went to a week long Vacation Bible School with our next-door neighbors. I don’t remember anything about what I heard, but God must have been working on me, as that pretty much summarizes my spiritual background.
Scientific enlightenment still ruled my life. I didn’t go to church, I didn’t have any friends who went to church regularly and I didn’t have a Bible.
Scientific Enlightenment and Small Miracles
I think we had a Bible in the house, but it was packed away in a box. I didn’t see a need for Jesus in my life.
So how did Jesus Christ find me?…That is the miracle.
In the late 1970’s there was a TV show called, “In Search of…”, narrated by Leonard Nimoy (AKA Dr Spock). Not someone who I would call a great TV evangelist!
One episode of the show was In Search of Noah’s Ark. I always looked forward to that show, and I knew in my heart that the ending would be clear. Science would prove the Bible to be false, the story was just a fable, didn’t happen, couldn’t have happened.
But to my surprise, the conclusion was just the opposite. After careful research and scientific study, it was determined that it was possible, and even probable, the story was true and could have happened exactly as described in the Bible.
Prayer and Then What?
Wow! This turned my whole world-view philosophy upside down. If this story was true, what else in the Bible was true — or could it ALL be true? So, one day I asked Jesus to come into my life and show me who he was. (I didn’t use words like “Lord” and “Savior” at that time but looking back I know that was the moment I became His).
So, after I said that prayer you know what happened? NOTHING. Remember, I didn’t have any Christian friends, didn’t go to church and didn’t have a Bible. I still thought religion was pretty fake and hypocritical.
God at Work (With the Help of Leonard Nimoy)
BUT GOD, was gradually working on me and protecting me from my own selfish pursuits. He gradually brought people into my life to help me understand the great sacrifice of His son. Through the godly example of my wife, Cynthia, Sunday school and Bible study, I began to understand the role of Jesus Christ as Lord, Savior and protector in my life. I repented and accepted His gift of salvation by faith (not by scientific proof!)
His calling me through the use of a secular TV show, my turning to accept him, His putting a hedge of protection around my life until the time was right, and bringing Cynthia into my life are all true miracles.
The journey hasn’t finished yet. He keeps showing me how He is faithful. Just remember: God can find anyone. He can even use Leonard Nimoy to find the boy without a Bible.
Thank you, JIm!
Thank you for those details of how a person with your scientific background could also learn to embrace faith, Jim! You are a great example of how faith and medicine can co-exist in the same heart. Also, a BIG Thank you for letting me share your Philosophy of Medicine below.
❤️ My Philosophy of Medicine ❤️
By Dr. James McAndrew
First and foremost I realize that I am just a tool of the Great Physician, God. Without His healing intervention everything I do would not work. Think about it, without His healing
I could never use “temporary” or dissolving suture!
I make the cuts but He is responsible for the healing and He should get all the glory.
A Dialogue, Not a Monologue
I also believe that the practice of medicine is a dialogue not a monologue. It is an opportunity to discuss a problem and come up with a mutually agreeable solution. Part of my role in medicine is to teach about the disease process.
This fits well with my personality as every spiritual gift assessment I have taken puts me in the “teacher” role. I feel that a well informed patient will better understand their condition and has the ability to more accurately describe their symptoms.
Art of Faith and Medicine
I believe that medical choices should be made with the best information possible. For the most part, we should rely on good, objective, scientific studies and not on someone else’s personal experience or preferences.
However, having said that, I also realize that there is an art to medicine and sometimes we will have to make decisions without the benefit of scientific studies. I will try to tell you when we are working off the “art of medicine” or the “science of medicine”.
In the practice of medicine we are also treating people, not numbers or statistics.
Allowances must be given because sometimes the best treatment for a disease is not the best treatment for a specific patient (we don’t try to win a battle at the expense of losing the war!).
So, let’s talk. Let’s see what is going on with you and let’s discuss what we can do about it.
A BIG thank you!
Now for a big thank you to Dr. James McAndrew for all he shared in June. So much insight and so many very personal stories. A wealth of authenticity from such a good man.
Please bless the good men in your life by sharing all Jim’s stuff! In particular, I especially hope you will share Jim’s thoughts about faith and medicine with your own doctors.
With joy, we shared all Jim’s stuff because we want to bless you with rock-solid information. We want you to be inspired and empowered to have gentle, life-changing conversations.
Thank you for all the ways you join together to change our culture one authentic conversation at a time. We are thankful for YOU!
🙂
cathy
May we pray together?
Dear good Father, it seems we’ve had years of crazy disease scares. We can’t even turn on the TV without being frightened. Many churches restricted themselves in unexpected, unpredictable ways since 2019. What a crazy time to see both faith and medicine take a hit! And yet, in the midst of the bad news, certain voices of reason stood out, reassuring us and encouraging us to look to You.
You alone are the Great Physician. Lovingly, You design each of us. Our bodies, our emotions, and our spirits. Then, too, You give us life. Plus, You prepare eternal life for us, as well. Thank you for reminding us each day that You love and care for us. Thank You for sending a Savior who understands the things that make us feel afraid. For those reading today because they face a health crisis, please bless and heal them. Especially bless them with good health; physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Bless us now because that is Your heart’s desire. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
We LOVE to hear from YOU!
What’s the best thing a doctor ever said to you? When has your faith been tested by a medical situation? What other health topics would you like for us to explore?
More Favorite Quotes
“That particular day, I just learned there’s a huge difference between running to church and running to Jesus.” ~Becky Carpenter
“When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; when health is lost, something is lost; when character is lost, all is lost.” ~Billy Graham
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” ~John 14:27, NKJV
Cathy Krafve, host of Fireside Talk Radio and author of The Well: The Art of Drawing Out Authentic Conversations and Marriage Conversation: From Coexisting to Cherished. Your stories and thoughts welcomed here!
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