I've been reading Ecclesiasticus. I'm finding it very interesting. One part that intrigued me is from Ecclesiasticus 38...
Ecclesiasticus 38:1-15
1 Honour the doctor for his services, for the Lord created him. 2 His skill comes from the Most High, and he is rewarded by kings. 3 The doctor's knowledge gives him high standing and wins him the admiration of the great. 4 The Lord has created medicines from the earth, and a sensible man will not disparage them. 5 Was it not a tree that sweetened water and so disclosed its properties? 6 The Lord has imparted knowledge to men, that by their use of his marvels he may win praise; 7 by using them the doctor relieves pain 8 and from them the pharmacist makes up his mixture. There is no end to the works of the Lord, who spreads health over the whole world. 9 My son, if you have an illness, do not neglect it, but pray to the Lord, and he will heal you. 10 Renounce your faults, amend your ways, and cleanse your heart from all sin. 11 Bring a savoury offering and bring flour for a token and pour oil on the sacrifice; be as generous as you can. 12 Then call in the doctor, for the Lord created him; do not let him leave you, for you need him. 13 There may come a time when your recovery is in their hands; 14 then they too will pray to the Lord to give them success in relieving pain and finding a cure to save their patient's life. 15 When a man has sinned against his Maker, let him put himself in the doctor's hands.
From my readings, Ecclesiasticus was revered by some in the early church, though it wasn't admitted into the Protestant canon. Is this the early church's view of doctors and medicine? According to this, those who benefit from doctors and/or natural medications should give all praise to God for it is God who has created medicines from the earth and given doctors knowledge, that by the use of God's marvels, God might win praise.
Thoughts?