December 28,1997
Dear Plumber Davis:
Several months ago, during Sabbath School, your wife made a cogent observation, She intimated that medical doctors receive more respect then plumbers. Unfortunately, this is true.
Medical doctors are virtually worshipped as gods for their ability
to relieve pain and suffering, notice, I said ‘relieve’
not cure, for only the true God who inhabiteth eternity can cure
the body. When sickness overtakes us because of our wrong habits
of living, we suffer its consequences. Not being willing to take
the time to ascertain the cause of the suffering and remove it,
we scurry to the doctor who prescribes some drug or surgical operation.
To illustrate the illusionary effect of modern medicine, suppose
your telephone began to ring. The incessant and demanding jangle
of the phone is illustrative of pain in the body which also demands
our immediate attention. Common sense dictates that we answer
the telephone as a means of alleviating the noise but doctors
and patients seldom practice common sense. To apply the typical
medical treatment to the telephone, we would either perform an
elaborate and expensive surgical operation and cut the phone cord
or drench the offending instrument in chlorine bleach or some
other caustic agent that will cause it to stop ringing.
Both of these methods will stop the intrusive noise but render
the phone inoperable which, in medical parlance, is referred to
as a side-effect.
As you know, from your study of the Bible, God regards the practitioner
of the medical sciences as equal with the dedicated evangelist.
Together, the Bible teacher and medical teacher journey fourth
to further the gospel. The true definition of physician is a teacher
of Biblical health principals. As the evangelist ministers to
the needs of the soul, the doctor ministers to the needs of the
body through practical instruction in the eight laws of health
as he uses natural methods of healing and encourages the patient
to place his trust in the divine healer, not in caustic chemicals
which have no healing efficacy.
If a doctor pursued this course, his yearly income would more
accurately reflect that of the dedicated and honorable profession
of plumber, carpenter, electrician, and auto mechanic. These professions
at least do no damage to their customers while it is well known
that the physician, with his corrosive poisons, causes considerable
suffering and death.
This is not a diatribe against doctors but I need to make these
points about their supposed godlike powers before making my conclusion
concerning your wife’s trenchant comment. While I do not
have the exact facts in the matter, there occurred an incident
in Israel some decades ago that makes my point. For what ever
reason, doctors, throughout the nation, refused to practice except
for emergency cases, for approximately fourteen days. What effect,
upon the over all death rate, would you suppose this strike would
have? Would deaths increase, decrease, or remain the same? Using
statistics obtained from the nation’s morticians reflecting
deaths from all causes before, during, and after the strike, the
death rate, during the fourteen days of the work stoppage, DECREASED
approximately %15 nation wide. Immediately upon the resumption
of work by the country’s doctors the death rate resumed the
pre-strike levels. The inescapable conclusion, drawn from this
instance, is that doctors were responsible for at least %15 of
all deaths in the Israel.
If this is true of Israel, it is not equally true of modern medicine
everywhere? I believe it is. (There are two other incidents of
the same nature with identical results that are recorded in the
health literature.)
With these facts in mind, why would any one choose to consult
a doctor or hold him in high esteem?
The Bible says that God is no respecter of persons for in Christ
there is equality but in Satan there is inequality. Any attempt
to magnify a persons position is contrary to Christ’s kingdom
for we are all on equal ground as sinners worthy of eternal death
were it not for the sacrifice of Christ upon the cross. Therefore,
let us not aspire to receive honor, nor despise those who obtain
it under false pretenses. The medical profession, when its power
and authority are derived from Christ, is as honorable a profession
as that of plumber. They are equal in God’s sight, the one
or the other is neither lower nor greater in authority and respect
for both are necessary to the happiness and well being of humanity.
If we must aspire to something greater, let us aspire to a Christ-like
life, a victorious character, a work of dedicated service. Do
I understand correctly that because you are past the retirement
age you offer your services, as a plumber, either free or on a
reduced fee basis? This is honorable and truly praise worthy.
I know of no physicians who act in a similar manner unless they
spend several weeks in the mission field. Perhaps there are some
but I know of none.
When upon the earth Christ assumed the title, The Son of Man (SM).
If we must assume a title, let it be, Son of God (SG). It is better
to be known as Carroll Davis SG then Dr. Carroll Davis, M.D. Let
our aspirations rise toward heaven rather then downward toward
the earth.
Dear brother, your profession is honorable and you are using it
in the service of the Lord honoring Christ rather then self. You
are nearer the kingdom of heaven then many eminent physicians.
Let us emulate Christ and not Satan.
May the Lord richly bless you. Your brother in Christ.
Allen A. Benson SG