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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Saturday, September 5, 2009

Applying scripture from a holistic view


By A. Lee Totten

Along with my Christian beliefs, I'm also a holistic Biblical practitioner. Holistic means whole or complete. This means that all the parts contribute and work as one for the good of the household.

A good example in the household is father, mother and child. In order to have a fully functional family, then all the parts must agree and work in unity, supporting each decision that will work for the whole family.

In my holistic studies, I learned that we are held together by three parts:

  • body: flesh, blood and bones;

  • soul: mind, will and emotions; and

  • spirit: communion, conscience and intuition.

    However, because of our life experience that may cause pain, we now hold life issues. If we do not heal our life experience or issues, we become divided or separated. We often feel like we have three uncontrolled kids running havoc within us. Here is an example: While in church or any other place our body sits, our mind/soul is usually worried about life issues and our spirit is trying to reconcile us to the moment. This is the division within.

    I was walking in the park one day when this scripture walked across my mind. "If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand" (Mark 3:24-25). I realized that I was fulfilling this scripture every day. The Lord had identified my three kids running around in me as a house divided!

    I accepted that we are a house with different authorities; when the Spirit is usurped, then we have problems. We become three kids running around, each doing their own thing. I needed to reconcile my houses, each in its given place. I prayed and sought his counsel, and soon this scripture came. "From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work" (Ephesians 4:16).

    Somehow I needed to work my divided house by healing my issues and life experiences. I sought the Lord again, "... if two of you on Earth agree about anything you ask, it will be done ... for where two or three come together in my name there am I with them" (Matthew 18:19-20). I understood that the three in agreement was my house of the body, soul and spirit.

    If I could find a way to reconcile my house to work in support and come in agreement, then the scripture showed that there "am I with them."

    I needed a first step. "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death" (Matthew 26:38). Remember the house of the soul: mind, will, and emotion. Here is the mind of Jesus, "If it is possible, may this cup be taken from me." Then we see his emotions, "Jesus was in anguish and his sweat fell like blood." Then comes the place of his will, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me, yet not my will, but yours be done" (Luke 22:42).

    I suddenly realized there were two "wills" in the garden, the Father and Jesus, who was having a struggle with his. Remember, it is the house of the soul — mind, will and emotions — that is being uncovered. It is my belief that somewhere Jesus pulled together the supporting ligaments of his house all in agreement. In the end, Jesus laid down his will for that of his Father. The circumstances of the cross had not changed, but he had.

    Here is the Lord's testimony, "Rise, let us go! Here comes my betrayer!" The scriptures work; we just need to understand where to apply them in our lives.