For years, Christian nurses have struggled with the term "holistic," concerned about the alternative therapy view that sees the body as a dynamic energy field rather than an integrated biopsychosocial spiritual being created to live in relationship with God and others.The holistic view of impersonal energy that can be manipulated is incompatible with the biblical view of God as our personal Creator and Redeemer; logically speaking, both views cannot be true (and Christians should be wary of simply renaming the "energy" God or the Holy Spirit [see Christian Nursing 101, p. 138]).To clarify between these two different world-views, Christian nurses have used the term "wholistic." Unfortunately, this has led to confusion and perhaps even an "us" against "them" posturing. I witness this confusion and posturing in interactions with colleagues, manuscripts submitted to JCN, and other venues and I wonder, is this distinction helpful? What does it accomplish to use "wholistic?"
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