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Biblical Concepts of Restoration As a Foundation for Lifestyle Change Lillian Tryon, D.N.P

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Biblical Concepts of Restoration As a Foundation for Lifestyle Change Lillian Tryon, D.N.P The Journal of Biblical Foundations of Faith and Learning Volume 3 | Issue 1 Article 28 2018 Biblical Concepts of Restoration as a Foundation for Lifestyle Change Lillian Tryon, D.N.P. Southern Adventist University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://knowledge.e.southern.edu/jbffl Recommended Citation Tryon, D.N.P., Lillian (2018) "Biblical Concepts of Restoration as a Foundation for Lifestyle Change," The Journal of Biblical Foundations of Faith and Learning: Vol. 3 : Iss. 1 , Article 28. Available at: https://knowledge.e.southern.edu/jbffl/vol3/iss1/28 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Peer Reviewed Journals at KnowledgeExchange@Southern. It has been accepted for inclusion in The ourJ nal of Biblical Foundations of Faith and Learning by an authorized editor of KnowledgeExchange@Southern. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Running head: BIBLICAL CONCEPTS OF RESTORATION 1 Abstract The Bible is filled with rich images of healing and restoration—it is a consistent and persistent theme in both the Old and New Testaments. Examples from Genesis, the Law of God, the Sanctuary, the story of Daniel, the New Covenant, the Gospels, Paul’s writings, and the book of Revelation are provided. This understanding of restoration and God’s role as the Master Restorer stands in sharp contrast to many historical and contemporary perspectives. It sets lifestyle change into a context and is fundamental to developing a wholistic and comprehensive approach to lifestyle medicine. One significant role of an advanced practice nurse (APN) in promoting healthy behaviors is to approach lifestyle change with a Biblical foundation, particularly for people of the Christian faith. Using the Disconnected Values Intervention Model and a Biblical foundation for lifestyle change, APNs can appropriately integrate spirituality into patient care and help patients see the link between Scriptural messages of restoration and a strong commitment to making healthy lifestyle choices. Biblical aspects of restoration are examined in the context of teaching four Doctorate of Nursing courses taught at Southern Adventist University (SAU) that emphasize a lifestyle approach to disease prevention and management. The positive impact of teaching these courses from a Biblical foundation can be seen in student survey responses. In addition, student course evaluations were high. Preliminary research findings from a pilot study to evaluate the impact of this course design model on student perception of Biblical worldview are also positive. It is concluded that the four lifestyle courses in SAU’s Doctorate of Nursing Practice program provide many opportunities to guide students in discussion about the Biblical underpinnings of the Christian worldview as it relates to lifestyle change and equips them to apply their faith in the role of an advanced practice nurse. Keywords: restoration, Biblical foundation, lifestyle change, advanced practice nurse, Disconnected Values Model BIBLICAL CONCEPTS OF RESTORATION 2 Biblical Concepts of Restoration as a Foundation for Lifestyle Change General health has improved worldwide, thanks to significant progress against infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS and malaria, and gains in fighting maternal and childhood illnesses. However, epidemiological trends reveal an aging of the world’s population and a concerning increase in disability attributable to non-communicable disease. According to a study of all major diseases and injuries in 188 countries, people around the world are living longer, but many are also living sicker lives for longer (Vos, et al., 2015). In the United States, five of the top seven causes of death are related to chronic, lifestyle-related diseases (Hoyert & Xu, 2012). The challenge today is to identify more effective ways of preventing and treating preventable chronic disease. The recognition of the central role of behaviors such as tobacco use, poor diet, physical inactivity, and inadequate sleep has resulted in lifestyle change as the first line of therapy in many well-established chronic disease practice guidelines. The enormous potential effects of lifestyle change on mortality, morbidity, and health care costs has led to the specialty of lifestyle medicine, ‘‘the systematic practice of assisting individuals and families to adopt and sustain behaviors that can improve health and quality of life” (Lianov & Johnson, 2010, p. 202). Lifestyle medicine is one of the emphases in the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program offered at Southern Adventist University (SAU). In this program, students are taught the therapeutic use of evidence-based lifestyle interventions, such as diet, exercise, and stress management. This paper will examine the Biblical, philosophical, and practical aspects of restoration in the context of four DNP courses taught at SAU: 1) NRSG-728: Introduction to Lifestyle Therapeutics; 2) NRSG-734: Educating & Motivating Lifestyle Change; 3) NRSG-744: Exercise Modalities for Lifestyle Change; and 4) NRSG-746: Nutritional Approaches for Disease Prevention and Management. The Theme of Restoration in Scripture The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines the verb "restore" as to bring back to or put back something to a former or original state (Restore, n.d.). The promise of restoration, “I will restore you to health and heal your wounds, declares the Lord” (Jeremiah 30:17, New International Version), is a repeated theme throughout the Bible, offering hope when all else seems to contradict it. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible is filled with rich images of healing and restoration—it is a consistent and persistent theme in both the Old and New Testaments. This theme of restoration provides a foundation for correctly understanding sin and suffering, God’s plan for His creation, and His unstoppable quest to save His people and restore them to His image. The Master Restorer In numerous Old and New Testament passages and stories, readers encounter the God who intends for His people to be well and who works constantly to save and restore a creation so deeply wounded by sin. It was Christ’s mission “to bring to men complete restoration. He came to give them health and peace and perfection of character” (White, 1905, p. 17). Consequently, the Biblical perspective of health and healing is a message about the Master Restorer working in each dimension of the human experience to make man whole. This is the message that Ellen White received from a messenger by her bed one night when she was very ill and expected to die. She relates: “In the night season One stood by my bedside and said to me, "Christ is the Restorer; Satan is the Destroyer. I am your Redeemer, and I will heal you" (White, 1994, p.150). In a similar statement, White wrote, “the Lord Jesus appeared to me in a distinct form and His words were, “Satan is the destroyer, but I am your Restorer. Pain and affliction will try your faith, but be not discouraged. I am your Restorer” (White, 1990, p. 377). Genesis The early chapters of Genesis not only tell how life began, but it establishes the basic teaching on who God is and who man is in relation to Him. Humans were the apex of Creation, molded by God’s own hand into His own image (Genesis 1:27). Mankind was blessed (Genesis 1:28), given a lifestyle for health (Genesis 1:29), and pronounced as good (Genesis 1:31). When intimacy with God was interrupted by sin, God reveals His heart and plan for redeeming and restoring man (Genesis 3:15). Ellen White wrote: In the beginning God created man in His own likeness. He endowed him with noble qualities. His mind was well balanced, and all the powers of his being were harmonious. But the Fall and its effects have perverted these gifts. Sin has marred and well-nigh obliterated the image of God in man. It was to restore this that the plan of salvation was devised, and a life of probation was granted to man. To bring him back BIBLICAL CONCEPTS OF RESTORATION 3 to the perfection in which he was first created is the great object of life—the object that underlies every other. (White, 1890, p. 595). That first sacrifice, which provided man with animal skins to cover his nakedness, pointed toward the final sacrifice of the Lamb of God, Jesus Himself, and the eternal restoration that would ensue. God’s Law Restoration can also be seen in God’s law, the manual for the Christian life. In the ten commandments (Exodus 20:1-17), God covers all dimensions of life as man is instructed to remember Him (spiritual health), foster healthy relationships (social health), and enjoy mental and physical rest. He also provided many public health principles in the book of Leviticus that are still in use today, such as personal hygiene, pure water supply, sewage disposal, quarantine, early burial, preventing the spread of venereal and skin diseases, diet, and pollution. Not only does God promise a peaceful, whole, happy life to those who keep these laws, but He also references Himself as man’s healer: If you listen carefully to the LORD your God and do what is right in His eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you. (Exodus 15:26, New International Version). The Sanctuary The message of restoration can be appreciated in the earthly sanctuary. In Exodus 25:8, God said, “let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them” (King James Bible). God wanted to pitch His tent in the midst of His people to help them (Psalm 20:1,2), reveal His glory and power (Psalm 63:1,2), and allow them to discover His ways (Psalm 77:13). A model of the heavenly sanctuary, the earthly sanctuary was a place where God’s personal presence and character could be seen, and where He could reveal His plan of salvation and restoration.
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