Wholeness in Christ

Introduction

Dictionary of Biblical Imagery (Whole, Wholeness)

Biblical uses of whole and related words number over three hundred, the vast majority of them reflecting simply the idea of “all” or “complete.”

The book of Romans tells how God can save the whole person: body, soul, and spirit. The primary theme in Romans is the basic gospel, God's plan of salvation and righteousness for all humankind, Jew and Gentile alike.

From the Christian perspective, God is perfectly whole — or Holy. We are created in His image and therefore created to be whole. When “sin” (That which is against God's character) entered the world, so did our brokenness, along with our broken ideas about how we view ourselves, God and others.

If you are a follower of Jesus you will some day be in heaven. And in heaven, you will be in a state of perfect wholeness – in spirit, mind and body – and God will be magnificently glorified.

This means that Jesus’ healing miracles must be seen clearly as bestowing the gift of shalom, wholeness, to those who lacked it, bringing not only physical health but renewed membership in the people of yhwh.

N. T. Wright

5883 Openness is to wholeness as secrets are to sickness.

Barbara Johnson

The Hebrew concept of shalom is much more positive than that, referring to a condition of wholeness and well-being that includes both a right relationship with God and loving harmony with one’s fellow human beings.

Timothy George

Holiness is wholeness. To be holy is to be wholly the Lord’s.

Walter C. Kaiser Jr.