The Faith Factor

Drawing from the latest scientific research, as well as numerous illustrative case studies, The Faith Factor offers convincing proof that religious practices can and do enhance the healing powers of medicine. And nationally renowned physician Dale A. Matthews offers a program any patient can follow to incorporate faith into their own healing.

Dr. Matthews points out that encouraging an integration of religious beliefs and practices in medical settings can have important benefits for the entire medical community, from patients and doctors to national health policy makers. He shows how the national trend toward rediscovering religious values has led many patients to use prayer in conjunction with conventional treatment, and that the results have already confirmed that faith and religious practice can be valuable medicine. Finally, Dr. Matthews helps readers explore the connection between faith and medicine in their own lives through methods of prayer, community worship, and study of Scripture.

The Faith Factor - Dale A. Matthews, M.D. with Connie Clark Introduction
Part I: Science
1. The Faith Factor
2. Too Good to Be True? A Critical Look at the Faith Factor
3. Healing the Body: Restoring Our Physical Selves
4. Healing the Mind: Finding a Lasting Peace
5. Healing Addictions: Regaining Our Freedom
6. The Quality of Life: Living Abundantly
7. Faith and Mortality: Transforming Death
Part II: Spirituality
8. Developing a Spiritual Program: Seeking God in Your Life
9. Prayer: Conversations with God
10. The Riches of the Bible: A Handbook for Healing
11. Spiritual Community: Living Together in Love
Part III: Synthesis
12. Medicine in the Twenty-First Century: Reconciling the Twin Traditions of Healing
Resources
Notes
IndexDale A. Matthews, M.D. is associate professor of medicine at Georgetown University School of Medicine and the author of three previous books. He has appeared on Oprah and Today and has been featured in such publications as McCall's, Harper's, Los Angeles Times, USA Today, The Washington Post, and Newsweek. He lives near Washington, D.C.