I recently saw a quote by a synod of Orthodox bishops that said “a healthy mind, body, and soul is essential for salvation of the human person.”

Were they saying that if you are not healthy mentally or physically that you cannot go to heave? Not at all!

We must first examine how eastern Christians view salvation, in order to understand it’s wholistic quality:

Understanding Salvation: Eastern and Western Christian Perspectives

In Eastern Christianity, particularly within the Orthodox tradition, salvation is often understood as a process of healing and transformation. This perspective emphasizes the concept of theosis, or deification, where the ultimate goal is to become partakers of the divine nature. The Orthodox view sees humanity as inherently good but marred by sin, which is viewed as a sickness or a distortion of the soul. Salvation, therefore, is the therapeutic journey of restoring the soul to its original state of health and communion with God. This process is deeply relational and communal, involving participation in the sacraments, prayer, and the life of the Church. The emphasis is on the transformative power of God's grace, which heals and elevates human nature, allowing individuals to grow in likeness to Christ.

In contrast, many Western Christian traditions, particularly those influenced by Augustinian and Reformation thought, often frame salvation in legal or forensic terms. Here, the focus is on justification, where salvation is seen as a legal declaration of righteousness before God. This view emphasizes the atoning work of Christ on the cross, where Jesus pays the penalty for sin, satisfying divine justice. While transformation and sanctification are also important in Western Christianity, the initial act of salvation is often understood as a change in legal status rather than a healing process. This difference in emphasis can lead to varying approaches to faith and practice, with Western traditions often focusing on individual faith and repentance as the means to receive God's grace, while Eastern traditions highlight the ongoing, communal journey of becoming more like Christ.

So again, in the Eastern Christian tradition, salvation is often seen as a kind of healing, not just for the soul but for the whole person, including the body and mind. This idea is like when you go to the doctor to get better from being sick, but instead of just medicine, it's about becoming whole and healthy in every part of your life. They believe that Jesus came to heal the brokenness in the world and in each of us. This means taking care of our physical health, like eating well and exercising, as well as our mental health, like managing stress and having good relationships. It's about living in a way that brings peace and balance to our lives, helping us to be the best version of ourselves. So, in this tradition, being saved is not just about what happens after we die, but about living a full and healthy life right now.

In the New Testament, the Greek word "sōtēria" is commonly translated as "salvation," but it also encompasses the concept of "healing." This dual meaning reflects the holistic nature of salvation in the biblical context, where it is not limited to spiritual deliverance but also includes physical and emotional restoration. The root of "sōtēria" is "sōzō," which means to save, heal, or preserve, and is used in various passages to describe both the act of saving from sin and the act of healing from physical ailments. For instance, in the Gospels, when Jesus heals individuals, the term "sōzō" is often employed, indicating that the healing is a form of salvation. This linguistic overlap underscores the comprehensive scope of salvation in the New Testament, suggesting that the work of Christ is intended to bring wholeness to every aspect of human life. The use of "sōtēria" and "sōzō" in this way highlights the interconnectedness of spiritual and physical well-being, emphasizing that true salvation involves the restoration of the entire person.

The problem is when we are intentionally (or subconsciously) unhealthy, consistently eating the wrong foods, having negative thoughts, and being around the wrong people or environment. These at times can cause us to do, well…stupid stuff. In other words, miss the mark, i.e. sin.

• - **Nutritional Deficiencies:** Unhealthy eating habits can lead to nutritional deficiencies, which may impair brain function and cognitive abilities. When our brains aren't getting the nutrients they need, it becomes harder to think clearly and make well-reasoned decisions.

• - **Blood Sugar Fluctuations:** Consuming high-sugar or high-carb foods can cause spikes and crashes in blood sugar levels. These fluctuations can lead to mood swings, irritability, and difficulty concentrating, making it challenging to weigh options carefully and make sound decisions.

• - **Stress and Anxiety:** Poor eating habits can contribute to increased stress and anxiety levels. When we're stressed or anxious, our brains may go into "fight or flight" mode, leading us to make hasty decisions without fully considering the consequences.

• - **Sleep Disruption:** Unhealthy eating, especially close to bedtime, can disrupt sleep patterns. Lack of quality sleep affects our ability to process information and think critically, often resulting in rushed or poor decision-making.

• - **Emotional Eating:** Turning to food for comfort during emotional distress can create a cycle of unhealthy eating and negative emotions. This cycle can cloud judgment and lead to impulsive decisions as we seek immediate relief rather than long-term solutions.

• - **Negative Self-Talk:** Unhealthy mental habits, such as negative self-talk, can undermine confidence and self-esteem. When we doubt our abilities, we may second-guess our choices or make decisions based on fear rather than logic.

• - **Overthinking:** Constantly overanalyzing situations can lead to decision paralysis, where we become so overwhelmed by options that we make no decision at all or rush into a choice just to escape the stress of indecision.

• - **Perfectionism:** Striving for perfection can cause us to set unrealistic standards, leading to frustration and disappointment when things don't go as planned. This mindset can push us to make hasty decisions in an attempt to regain control or meet self-imposed expectations.

So as you see, physical health and spirituality are VERY MUCH interconnected.

As a Christian professional, it is imperative that you stay healthy in body and mind, so that you can be healthy spiritually; will should enhance you overall decision making, and resiliency in the face of work and business pressures. This is the intention of this blog. We aren’t saying that you wont go to heaven, or that your name won’t be written in the "Lamb’s book of Life”. But rather, it will be hard to heal from the sickness of sin, and move forward in the path towards sanctification and wholeness, unless you incorporate the physical and mental into your salvific journey.

Wholeness and Holiness=Health.