Dr. Patti J. Patterson, a medical doctor and vice president for Texas Tech University's Health Sciences Center in Lubbock, led three classes on the subject of religion and healing as part of ACU's 83rd Annual Bible Lectureship. Patterson, who has participated in 20 medical mission trips outside the United States, has seen firsthand the role that faith plays in healing. Still, she told the ACU class, just how significant a factor faith is may never be known. Patterson's classes were among several offered as part of the lectureship. The lectureship, which annually brings several thousand Church of Christ followers, missionaries and educators to Abilene from around the world, concludes Wednesday evening with a 7 o'clock lecture in Moody Coliseum.
All events are open to the public and most, except for luncheons and dinners, are free of charge.
Even though the role of religion in physical healing is taken seriously and is the subject of numerous studies, Patterson said its significance isn't easily defined. If it's a supernatural event, by definition that's beyond the scope of science. That hasn't stopped researchers from conducting more than 1,200 studies dating back to the 1800s. The studies have proliferated in the past decade, now that 65 of the nation's 126 medical schools offer courses on the subject, Patterson said. Five of the medical schools, including Duke University's, have research programs dedicated exclusively to the study of the role of faith in healing.