Biblical Naturopathy, another SCAM that is new to me

WHAT?

Biblical naturopathy?

Yes, it is not a hoax; it does exist!

It’s another so-called alternative medicine (SCAM) that is new to me.

This website explains what it is all about:

The Biblical Naturopathic Philosophy is based on the following principles:

Do no harm
God has designed the body to be self-healing
Recognize the healing power of nature as designed by God
Recognize the supernatural healing power of God
The natural and supernatural work together
God has made provision for recovery of sickness
Identify the cause and source
Involve the total person (body, soul, spirit)
Support the body rather than treat symptoms
Health is maintained through Biblical patterns and principles

What do we believe?

We believe the Bible is the inspired, inerrant Word of God. (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1-20).
We believe God is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe. (Gen. 1; John 1:3; Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:3).
We believe Jesus is both Lord and Christ, to the glory of God the Father. (Acts 1:9-11; 2:36; Phil. 2:9-11).
We believe that whosoever will confess with their mouth that Jesus is Lord and believes in their heart God raised Him from the dead shall be saved. (Rom. 10:9-10; Acts 2:21; 1 John 1:12).
We believe that the Holy Spirit is sent by Jesus to indwell, empower, teach, guide and comfort believers. (Luke 12:12; Rom. 8-11; John 16:13; Acts 1:7-8, 9:31).
We believe that the Lord Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection from the dead provided for the healing of the spirit, soul, and bodies of all peoples.
We believe in the imminent return of Jesus Christ, who will come to rule as King upon the earth with the saints. (Acts 1:9-11; 1Thess. 4:13-5:2; Rev. 19:11-21, 22:20).

And this is what they offer in terms of coursework:

COUNSELING

CNS101 Christian Counseling
Covers ethics, foundations of faith, makeup of man, motivational gifts and personality, Faith-Based Therapy™, leading someone into salvation, identity / position / purpose / significance in Christ, scriptural concordance, basics of counseling, opening a counseling center, recognizing mental illness, initial forms and assessments, value of nutrition, and legal issues.

CNS102 Advanced Christian Counseling
Covers stress, co-dependency, self-esteem, anger, forgiveness, premarital and marriage counseling, divorce, family issues, blended families, depression, suicide, grief / loss, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive, sexual abuse, sexual addictions, and reality disassociation.

CNS103 Drug & Alcohol Recovery (GOD14®)
Provides an overview of drug and alcohol education, sin and disease of alcoholism, identifying the addict, AA and NA, scriptural steps, relapse and enabling, family dynamics, steps to breaking physical and psychological addiction, prescription drugs, screening, neurotransmitters, chemistry rebalancing, recovery flowchart, detox categories, and forms and assessments.

BIBLICAL

BIB210 Ministerial Ethics
All ministers should hold themselves above reproach. This course will challenge as well as encourage spiritual ethics beyond a secular view.

BIB220 Ecclesiastical Ordinances 
This course outlines the duties required of ministers such as baptism, funerals, weddings, etc. The course is designed to prepare the licensed or ordained minister to structure and carry out ministerial duties.

BIB230 Doctrinal Foundations 
The foundations of the Christian faith are scripturally established. Every minister should be able to give an account of what they believe and why. This course is designed to assist rather than to indoctrinate.

BIB270 Biblical Naturopathy
What is a Biblical naturopathic doctor; Biblical philosophy of healing; Creation and makeup of man; Scriptural principles for understanding and restoring health; Causes of disease; Things that block healing; History of naturopathy; Naturopathic tenets / axioms; Forefathers of health and healing; The mind & heart of God – It is God who heals; Health in America; Introduction to the techniques of health evaluation; Introduction to the healing modalities; Genetics, predispositions, generational curses; Biblical examples of natural healing; Physical to spiritual analogies; Foods of the Bible; Emotions and organs.

BIB280 Understanding & Improving Health
Health in America, History of Nutrition; Water and Sunshine; What is Protein?; What are Carbohydrates?; What are Fats, Oils, and Fatty Acids?; Issues with Sugar, Milk, Soy, MSG, Aspartame, and Genetically Modified Foods; Dietary Guidelines; Diets and Dieting; and Nutritional Deficiencies; Exercise; Biblical Principles and Perspectives; Confronting Sickness and Disease; Practical Support.

BIB290 How to  Pray for  Healing
Understanding who we are in Christ; The authority of the believer; The role of faith in prayer; The benefit of confession; Praying for guidance; How to pray for physical healing; Praying for Inner Healing; A balanced approach to understanding deliverance; Understanding spiritual warfare.

BIB300 Biblical Freedom Techniques
Forgiveness; Generational curses; Demonic influences; Demonic influences for sickness; Evil spirits as a cause of sickness; Biblical examples; Types of spirits; Strongholds; How do you know?; How to remove evil spirits; Inner healing.

DIET AND GENERAL WELLNESS

DGW310 Biblical Eating
Biblically speaking, are there certain foods best not eaten? What does the Bible have to say about diet and why? God has said plenty about the diet best suited for His creation.

DGW320 Biblical Health Principles
Times have changed, but the Bible and its principles have not. Learn basic principles that can be applied for maintaining health while understanding some of the changes to our foods. Have we become addicted to certain foods? This course teaches how to have a healthy diet and live healthy in a not-so-healthy world.

DGW330 Wellness with Weight Loss
For many, losing weight is a never-ending struggle — especially since our bodies are designed to keep weight on at all costs; it’s a matter of survival. But a medical revolution is under way, showing us how to work with our bodies instead of against them to ignite the natural fat-burning furnaces that lie dormant within us. Drawing on the cutting-edge science of nutrigenomics — how food talks to our genes — Dr. Mark Hyman has created a way of losing weight by eating the right foods, which in turn sends the right messages to our bodies.  In this easy-to-follow eight-week plan based on each individual’s unique genetic needs, Dr. Hyman explains how to customize your personal weight-loss program with menus, recipes, shopping lists, and recommendations for supplements and exercise. Ultimately, you will rebalance and stabilize your metabolism — an UltraMetabolism — to maintain weight loss and enjoy lifelong health.

NUTRITION

NUT410 Digestion & Enzymes
Digestion Enzyme therapy is an emerging successful alternative for restoring health. Learn the basics of digestion along with how enzymes work and the benefits to immune function, pain reduction, mood stabilization, and mental clarity, and more. Discover the inexpensive yet highly effective digestive enzymes needed to restore digestive, neurological, and behavioral health.

NUT420 Nutrition 1
This is a comprehensive course that will guide you to achieve and maintain a high level of health and fitness through careful dietary planning and nutritional supplements. The elements of health are discussed along with recommendations for a multitude of conditions. This course is also a guide to various alternative remedies and therapies.

NUT430 Nutrition 2
This course provides a thorough resource and reference to natural supplements, herbs, and homeopathic remedies as well as relating them to all the major ailments and health conditions. The information is thoroughly documented by scientific data and research.

NUT435 Biblical Eating and Clinical Nutrition
What is food?; Protein, fats, carbohydrates; Foods of today; Biblical foods and diets; Food sources of vitamins and minerals; Vitamins and deficiency symptoms; Minerals and deficiency symptoms; Amino acids; Enzymes; Neutraceuticals; Synthetic verses whole food vitamins; Nutritional deficiencies as a cause of diseases; Diets and individualism; Nutrition deficiency questionnaire; Therapeutic clinical nutrition

NUT440 Emotional Biochemistry
Learn how to screen for emotional and behavioral symptoms. Recognize the mental and physical clues that indicate biochemical imbalances, particularly in the brain. This course teaches natural ways of dealing with physiological causes of depression, anxiety, paranoia, anger, emotional instability, and addictions to prescription and non-prescription drugs.

NUT450 Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis
This course teaches more than just knowing the levels of good and toxic minerals in the body from hair tissue analysis. How do you balance the levels and what do the ratios mean? Hair analysis can also reveal immune system problems, emotional trends, cellular energy levels, glucose intolerance, kidney and liver stress, adrenal and thyroid activity and more.

BOTANICAL

BOT510 Herbs of the Bible
What herbs were used in Bible times? The herbs of the Bible are reviewed in light of their past and present uses. Precautions are also explained.

BOT520 Herbal Pharmacy
This is a comprehensive course reviewing the best herbs for healing, including complete herb forms, benefits, parts used, side effects, dosages and remedies for hundreds of ailments.

BOT530 Nutritional Herbology
This course teaches the nutritional components of herbs and how to determine an herb’s medicinal property. You will also learn the active chemical(s) behind an herb’s use that makes it effective. Classification of herbs and which herbs are commonly used for certain body systems is covered.

BOT540 Way of Herbs
This course blends the Eastern, European, and American Indian herbal healing traditions. Learn the three functions of herbs and the eight traditional methods of herbal therapy. Included are detailed descriptions and dosages of over 140 western herbs and 31 Chinese herbs.

BOT550 Herbals Systems
This course covers the Chinese and Ayurvedic classification of herbs and foods, and the classification of over 400 medicinal herbs available in the west, according to properties and actions. The preparation and processing of herbs is also covered.

BOT555 Leaves of the Tree (Revelation 22:2) Herbology
Comprehensive course covering the use of herbs; herb forms, benefits, parts used, side effects, dosages and recommendations for ailments; Classification of herbs and which herbs are commonly used for certain body systems.

BOT560 Aromatherapy
Science is now confirming that essential oils have healing properties for most physical and emotional conditions. This course is a hands-on guide to the understanding and use of essential oils.

ALTERNATIVE OR ANALYTICAL STUDIES

AAS610 Biblical Strategies
Is there a spiritual strategy for overcoming sickness? What choices are available when faced with terminal illnesses? This course reveals traditional as well as non-traditional natural strategies for defeating sickness and regaining health, particularly if facing death.

AAS620 Parasitology
How prevalent are parasites? What tests are available to determine if you have parasites? What role do they play in allergies, fatigue, bowel disorders, and immune function? What are the latest drugs, treatment, and herbal remedies?

AAS630 Energetic Testing
This course is a basic guide to bio-kinesiology and nutritional therapy using muscle response testing. Learn antidotal therapies using vitamins, minerals, herbs, amino acids, and homeopathic remedies.

AAS645 The Lamp of the Body 1 (Matt. 6:22) Sclerology (Basic and advanced)
Sclerology is easy to learn. Sclerology is the study of the red lines in the white of the eyes and how they relate to stress-patterns in a person’s health. What is a person’s predisposition to disease? What is the hidden cause of symptoms? What will the health challenges be five years from now? The lines in the sclera change as health conditions change. Thus Sclerology is an excellent way to confirm that a natural therapy is working. Are cold hands and feet a circulatory, thyroid, constitutional-vitality, or immunological    problem? What is the key to losing weight? Is it glucose metabolism, the endocrine glands, the liver, or an allergy pattern? Is chronic fatigue attributed to a chronic infection, a weak endocrine system (thyroid/adrenals), an exhausted immune system, a liver weakness? The answer is reflected in the sclera!

AAS655 The Lamp of the Body 2 (Matt. 6:22) Iridology (Basic and advanced)
Anatomy & Physiology of the Eye; Topography/mapping; Physical Integrity Evaluation; Color Constitutional Types & Subtypes; Specific Iris Structure Irregularities; Specific Iris Pigmentation Irregularities; Misc. Signs; Collarets Signs; Syndromes; Sclera & Conjunctiva Signs; Deviation in Contraction Furrows; Exceptions to the Rules; Case Studies; Combination of Signs; Introduction to Time Risk; Iridology practice suggestions.

AAS665 The Body Electric (Genesis 2:7) – Energetic Response Testing
Our bodies, made from the dust of the earth, are very electric. Using electro-magnetic principles it is possible to determine which areas of the body are stressed and what nutrients are needed. Step-by-step hands-on training is provided in how to use and integrate Energetic Response Testing. – Brief History; Preliminaries Before Testing; The Arm Technique; Ways of Verifying a Weak Response; Why Does it Work?; Twelve Things That Can Block the Body’s Ability to Heal; Terms and Techniques; Correcting “Reversed Polarity”; Correcting “Switching”; Correcting “Blocked Regulation”; Response Testing Points (organs, glands, systems, nutritional).

AAS670 Serum Blood Analysis
This course presents an analytical system of blood chemistry and CBC analysis that focuses on physiological function as a marker of health. Optimal values are presented that increase our ability to detect dysfunction long before disease manifests. This course covers an in-depth coverage of 52 blood tests, 62 patterns of functional disorders, and 11 nutrient deficiencies, as well as correlating non-invasive in-office functional tests.

AAS685 Functional Analysis
Functional testing without labs: pH, tongue, fingernails, face, and body signs; Functional testing with laboratory assessments: hair, blood, urine, saliva, neurotransmitters, and hormones; Heavy metals; Food sensitivities; Strategies and applications.

NATUROPATHIC

NAT710 Naturopathic Heritage and Future
This course is the primer on principles and practice of naturopathy. It covers the history of naturopathy, its philosophy, the laws of disease and cure, and explains the modalities used by naturopaths.

NAT720 Homeopathy
Homeopathy is a natural, safe, inexpensive, and highly effective complement to any modality as well as to conventional medicine. You will learn the laws of homeopathy, how to assess illness, identify clues that point to the right remedy, individualize the remedy, and how to know when medical treatment is required.

NAT730 Detoxification
We live in a toxic world. This course outlines the steps needed to thoroughly detoxify and cleanse your body through fasting, juicing, oxygen therapy, exercise, heat therapy, colon cleansing, kidney cleansing, liver cleansing, and herbal detoxification.

NAT735 Cleansing the Temple
Why detox?; A cause of disease; Elimination organs/channels; Levels of detoxification; Lymph system; Fasting/exercise; Detox side effects; Avoiding a healing crisis; Foods to assist/avoid; Heavy metals; Pathogens; Infrared sauna; Ionic foot baths; Coffee enemas.

NAT740 Anatomy
Illustrated with detailed colored drawings, this course is a road map to the human body. With descriptive text, this course will educate you about the position and basic functions of all the organs and systems of the body.

NAT750 Functional Anatomy
An advanced level of anatomy is presented with more detailed information of the organs and bodily systems. With 210 color illustrations depicting all organs and systems, this course covers basic principles with special emphases on function.

NAT755 Fearfully and Wonderfully Made – Anatomy and Physiology
Basic anatomy and physiology; Understanding the Pathology of sickness and disease, Common disease conditions (this course meets the requirements for certification with International Iridology Practitioner’s Association).

NAT760 Reflexology
Reflexology is a unique system of foot massage, which can treat and prevent a wide variety of ailments. This course covers the history of reflexology, interpreting the feet, basic techniques, the treatment sequence, and an understanding of the meridian system.

NAT770 Naturopathic Jurisprudence
This course covers the legal guidelines for unlicensed practitioners. Learn what your rights are, what the constitution has to say, and what to do if legal disputes arise. Some topics included are insurance, licensing verses certification, correct and incorrect usage of words, and legal consent and disclaimer forms.

NAT775 Establishing a Naturopathic Ministry
Starting a practice; Setting up a business; Operating as a ministry; Legalities; Ethics; Referrals; Evaluation forms; Assessments; Record keeping; Accounting and inventory; Taxes; Advertising; Vendors; Equipment; Business management, Practice management, Introduction to flower essences, Introduction to homeopathy, Introduction to essential oils, Conducting an evaluation, Disorders, Therapeutic Applications, Unusual conditions.

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Chad Hayes who has studied the subject in some detail has published an excellent article about Biblical Naturopathy which is well-worth reading. Here are his conclusions:

So what is biblical naturopathic medicine? It’s untrained, unqualified, unlicensed practitioners that believe their religion makes them immune from government oversight. It’s people that think two individuals signing a contract to call something what it’s not prevents them from being subject to laws designed to keep people safe. It’s delusional people that don’t want to be held accountable for the things they do, doing things they shouldn’t. It’s people that are so arrogant to think that their holy book, written thousands of years before we discovered germ theory, during a time when seizures and schizophrenia were attributed to demonic possession, by authors that never intended for it to be used as a medical text, gives them superior knowledge to those of us who respect our patients enough to spend years actually studying medicine and who are willing to be held accountable for our actions. It’s biblical literalists that disingenuously omit the abortion potion recipe provided by the LORD in Numbers 52 from their biblical naturopathy curriculum, while voting for legislators who put the lives of their constituents at risk by criminalizing abortion and putting a bounty on the heads of pregnant people and the physicians that have devoted their careers to caring for them.

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In a nutshell:

Biblical Naturopathy is yet another SCAM that I recommend avoiding.

Why?

Because it is dangerous nonsense.