Thread: Church as a hospital?

Can church be considered a hospital? I've heard that sentiment a lot, and I'm thinking that it all depends on the context. So what say ye?

...and not a hotel for saints...

Simplistic.

No it is more like a morgue

Originally Posted by Calvinist Cowboy

Can church be considered a hospital? I've heard that sentiment a lot, and I'm thinking that it all depends on the context. So what say ye?

Maybe the psych ward of a hospital.

Originally Posted by sjonee

Originally Posted by Calvinist Cowboy

Can church be considered a hospital? I've heard that sentiment a lot, and I'm thinking that it all depends on the context. So what say ye?

Maybe the psych ward of a hospital.

Oh, I've seen that before. Thankfully, my experience is very limited, but I've seen it.

Originally Posted by sjonee

Originally Posted by Calvinist Cowboy

Can church be considered a hospital? I've heard that sentiment a lot, and I'm thinking that it all depends on the context. So what say ye?

Maybe the psych ward of a hospital.

When I've heard people refer to the church as a hospital for sinners, it's been in the context of legalism vs. grace, i.e. In legalistic settings, people are not open about their weaknesses. Rather than admit they are weak and helpless, they are constantly trying to prove to each other how holy they are. In contrast, when people begin to understand the grace of God, they realize that they need constant care, hence, the idea that the church is a hospital.

I think the church is many things.

To some extent it IS a hospital - it is a place where sinners come to hear words of life and to receive comfort for their souls.

Thanks folks. That was what I was thinking, but I wanted to bounce around the idea first.

Of course, that doesn't mean that the church is somewhere sick folks can come to get medicine. They're dead, after all.

Yes, the church is a hospital (among many other things) wherein people help each other get healthier spiritually. Absolutely.

Yes! We're brought back to life in the ER and then we remain to complete our recovery.

Not sure I'm entirely comfortable using the analogy of a hospital to describe the Church and its function.

The saying is from [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henri_Nouwen"]Henri Nouwen[/ame].

Since the author of the quote was a RC priest, I think we all know what is implied in the saying--go to Mass, take the Sacraments and be content to remain as sick as the next guy.

I've thought of the church as a hospital ever since 2003. Some churches do well at fixing up the injured and others seem to act like a do it yourself first aid station. The church is for christians isn't it? Plenty of christians are in need of doctorin' and good teaching on doctrine. Not everyone needs the ER of the church, but I think it should be there. It goes with all the one another verses in the Bible and bearing one anothers burdens. The "hospital" is for christians.

I don't see the church as a hospital in the area of evangelism. I don't really know what the church is supposed to do about evangelism. I get it about individuals but not the "church".

Except for the one anothers of scripture I don't have any other reason to view the church as a hospital. It's just an analogy that seems to fit.

"Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."

Archlute beat me to the keyboard