Christ the Physician: A Patristic and Contemporary Reading of Healing

14 march 2025

The book Christ the Physician by Marc Mitri is part of the great theological tradition that envisions salvation as the restoration of wounded humanity. Published by Domuni-Press, it highlights the thought of Gregory of Nyssa and his medical approach to divinization. The book benefits from a preface by Professor Marie-Anne Vannier, a renowned specialist in patristic and medieval theology, who underscores the relevance and depth of this reflection. This work offers a renewed reading of a central theme in early Christianity: Christ as the physician of souls and bodies. Far from being a mere metaphor, this vision of salvation is rooted in a theological and spiritual tradition that spans the centuries.

In the Gospels, Christ is presented as the one who heals both physical and spiritual ailments, revealing that salvation is not merely the remission of sins but involves the integral restoration of the human being. A well-known passage from the Gospel of Mark illustrates this dynamic when Jesus declares that he has not come for the healthy, but for the sick. This image of Christ as the physician has profoundly marked the Christian tradition and was developed by the Church Fathers, particularly in the Greek tradition.

Among them, Gregory of Nyssa conceives spiritual healing as a path of purification leading humanity to its full resemblance with God. For him, human beings, created in the image of God, have seen this image altered by sin. Christ's mission is therefore to restore this image, to purify humanity of its passions, and to elevate it towards its ultimate fulfillment: divinization. This is not an instantaneous transformation but a true journey of healing, in which humanity is called to cooperate with divine grace to regain its integrity.

Marc Mitri’s book stands out for the way it actualizes this patristic vision. It does not limit itself to historical analysis but seeks to demonstrate the relevance of this approach for our time. In a world where psychological and spiritual suffering is omnipresent, the theology of healing provides valuable insights. By considering salvation as a therapeutic process, the patristic tradition highlights the role of faith in inner transformation. Healing is not merely an individual matter; it concerns all of humanity, called to be restored in its unity with God.

Marc Mitri’s approach is particularly original as it draws on an interdisciplinary perspective. A theologian, economist, and mathematician, he leverages his analytical skills to shed new light on the thought of Gregory of Nyssa. His work engages in a dialogue between theology and the human and medical sciences, showing how inner wounds, stress, and anxiety directly impact human beings and how spiritual healing fits into a broader process of personal restoration. In this way, his work aligns with contemporary reflections on holistic health, which do not separate the body from the soul but consider the individual in all their dimensions.

The publication of this book is particularly timely during Lent, a period conducive to reflection on inner healing and the restoration of the human being. In the Christian tradition, Lent is not merely a time of deprivation but an invitation to rediscover the divine life within us. It is a journey of conversion that allows one to free oneself from what hinders the relationship with God and others. Prayer, fasting, and almsgiving are not purely ascetic exercises but concrete means of inner transformation. By turning to God in prayer, we recognize our need for healing and open ourselves to His action. Fasting is not merely about self-discipline but about purifying the heart, refocusing our desires on what truly matters. Almsgiving, finally, reminds us that healing is never individual but also concerns our relationship with others and our commitment to charity.

In this context, Christ the Physician is a valuable resource for deepening the meaning of Lent and understanding the dynamics of healing to which we are called. Far from being a mere theoretical reading, this book invites genuine meditation on salvation as the restoration of wounded humanity. It enables us to grasp how the patristic vision enriches our understanding of salvation and guides us on a path of authentic conversion.

The preface by Professor Marie-Anne Vannier is a fundamental contribution to this work, situating Marc Mitri’s reflection within the great theological and spiritual tradition. A specialist in patristic and medieval thought, she highlights the richness of the concept of divinization and underscores its importance for a renewed understanding of Christianity. She reminds us that patristic theology is not merely a historical field of ideas but carries within it a power of actualization that can nourish our faith today. The thought of Gregory of Nyssa, in particular, opens fascinating perspectives on humanity’s vocation to participate in divine life and to allow itself to be healed by Christ.

By emphasizing the contemporary relevance of this vision of salvation, Marie-Anne Vannier underscores the necessity of rediscovering the Church Fathers for contemporary Christianity. Too often, modern spirituality tends to separate faith from concrete human experience, whereas the patristic tradition demonstrates that the spiritual journey is deeply rooted in a real transformation of being. This restoration concerns not only the soul but also the body, relationships with others, and the way we engage with the world.

Through a rigorous reading of Gregory of Nyssa, Marc Mitri actualizes a vision of salvation that remains essential for our time. The metaphor of Christ as the physician reminds us that Christian faith is above all an invitation to healing, to the restoration of the divine image in humanity. This healing involves an inner transformation that cannot be reduced to mere morality but entails real participation in the life of God. Far from presenting a static vision of salvation, this approach highlights a dynamic path where each person is called to grow, to purify themselves, and to open ever more to divine light.

With the illuminating preface by Professor Marie-Anne Vannier, which situates this work within the great theological and spiritual tradition, this book establishes itself as an essential read for all those wishing to deepen their understanding of the richness of the Christian message. It invites us to rediscover the therapeutic dimension of faith and to embark on a journey of conversion where Christ reveals Himself not only as Savior but also as the physician of the soul and body.

📖 Find Christ the Physician on the Domuni-Press website:

🔗 https://www.domuni.eu/press/en/book/le-christ-medecin/