Journal of Christian Religious Studies

This study is an exploration of ethical intricacies elicited by Christian Faith healing testimonies. These ethical intricacies concern questions of truth and validity, potential harm and the influence of healing testimonies on healthcare decisions. Christian faith healing is an act of getting wellness from illness mostly via prayer therapy. This act often leads to testimonies which are significant in improving the numeric strength of the Christian community, affirming believer’s convictions, enforcing and validating religious authority and inspiration of believers. Using analytical and comparative methods, the study revealed that, the contemporary experiences in Christian healing space demonstrates a widespread staging and dissemination of false testimonies, fabricated, exaggerated, or strategically constructed narratives aimed at improving the image of religious leaders, attracting converts, and generating finances for the healing minister. This phenomenon is responsible for falsehood and unethical healthcare decisions by participants of Christian faith healing. The study accentuates the impossibility of using verification principle to ascertain the validity and truthfulness of Christian faith healing testimonies. It argued to the conclusion that the inability of using verification principle, subjective healing experiences and lack of medical history of testifiers are responsible for the potential misuse and promotion of unethical behavior such as falsehood within Christian faith healing spaces. The study recommends a need for reevaluation of causes of sickness in taking health care decision and a theocratic faith healing approach by participants of Christian faith healing and healing ministers.

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