Table of Contents
PENGUIN BOOKS
THE FAITH FACTOR
Dale A. Matthews, M.D., is associate professor of medicine at Georgetown University School of Medicine. He is the author of a four-volume annotated bibliography of clinical research on spiritual subjects, and more than sixty peer-reviewed scientific articles, book chapters, audiovisuals, and other publications. He has been featured in numerous newspapers and national magazines, and on national television. Dr. Matthews lives in the Washington, D.C., area with his wife, Demetra, and children, Karen and Louis.
Connie Clark is a writer, teacher, and retreat leader whose focus is contemplative Christian spirituality. She lives in Alexandria, Virginia, with her husband.
In loving memory of my grandfather,
the Rev. Dr. Louis B. Matthews, Sr.,
and my father, Dr. Louis B. Matthews, Jr.,
who fought the good fight, finished the race,
and kept the faith.
(2 TIMOTHY 4:7)
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
It is a formidable, humbling, yet deeply gratifying task to reflect on the dozens of individuals whose encouragement and wisdom have made this bookwriting adventure possible. Among the many to whom I am indebted, I would especially like to recognize publicly and thank warmly the following individuals for their invaluable contributions.
Those who taught and nurtured me in the faith: Jim Cavanaugh, Park Dickerson, Ernest Gordon, Ed Henegar, Dick Bauer, Lidabell Pollard, Steve Smallman, Butch Hardman.
Those who introduced me to the ministry of healing: Phil Zampino, Harold and Ann Hammond, Judith and Francis MacNutt, Norma Dearing.
Brave pioneers who first explored the boundaries of faith and medicine : Herb Benson, Larry Dossey, Morton Kelsey, Randy Byrd.
Fellow laborers in the research vineyard of faith: Harold Koenig, Jeff Levin, Dana King, Ken Olive, George Gallup, Margaret Poloma, the late Richard Friedman.
Former colleagues at the University of Connecticut Health Center who supported me in my initial and fledgling efforts to understand the relationship between faith and health: Peter Manu, Tom Lane, Tony Voytovich, Jim Freston.
Former and current colleagues at Georgetown University Medical Center for their advice and encouragement: John Eisenberg, Larry Beck, Ed Pellegrino, Zeses Roulidis, Dan Sulmasy
Colleagues at the National Institute of Healthcare Research for their congeniality, enthusiasm, and partnership: Connie Barry, Renee Bergin, Vicki Lovett, Dan Kaufmann, Jim Collins, Rich Genter.
Dave Larson, who started this ball rolling in a big way, deserves a particular note of recognition and blessing. Thanks, Big Guy!
Colleagues at the Bayer Institute for Healthcare Communication who reinforced to me the central importance of the doctor-patient relationship in the healing process: Vaughn Keller, Greg Carroll, Dan OConnell, Barbara Korsch.
Physicians who helped me to think and reason critically: Frank David-off, Alvan Feinstein, Tom Inui. Other physicians whose counsel and support I have valued: Tony Suchman, Dan Ford, Steve Booton, Carey Cottle, Walter Byrd.
Those who have modeled the integration of faith and medicine and who have helped me dream about what this integration might look like someday: David Stevens, Gene Rudd, Hal Habecker, David Allen, Lew Bird, George Simms, Dave Biebel.
Benefactors who have provided financial and moral support: John and Joe Gregory of Monarch Pharmaceuticals (a division of King); The Foundation for Spirituality and Medicine; and the officers of the John Templeton Foundation: Sir John Templeton, Jack Templeton, Chuck Harper, Fran Schapperle, Judy Marchand.
Other friends and colleagues who have supported me unconditionally in this work throughout the years: Sally Marlowe, David Earnhardt, Bruce Epperly, John Fletcher, Doug Kay, Ty Fabling, Marilyn Sousa.
My oldest and dearest friends in the world: Jamie Horton, Jim Sparks, Ed Campion.
Thinkers and writers who have influenced me: Paul of Tarsus, Blaise Pascal, Soren Kierkegaard, Paul Tillich, Paul Tournier, Jack Deere, John Wimber.
My patients, for their patience and generosity.
My agent, Gail Ross, for her perseverance, diligence, and chutzpah.
My editor, Mindy Werner, for her perspicacity, rigor, and discernment.
My mother, Dorothy, and my brothers, Paul and Skip, for a lifetime of love and support.
My wife, Demetra, for steadfast faithfulness and love. Youve been everything: copy editor, companion, confidante, challenger, and champion ; youve read every word, heard every talk, and knew what to say and write before I did: Thanks!
My children, Karen and Louis, who are my pride and joy, my blessing and legacy, the precious jewels and treasure of my life. May you always keep the faith and one day pass it along to your own children!
My Lord and Savior, the Name above all Names, to whom alone be the glory. Thank you!
DALE A. MATTHEWS, M.D.
I would like to acknowledge the valuable assistance of a number of people who provided information for this book: Sidney Van Nort, librarian, American Bible Society; Paul Walsh, president, Fellowship in Prayer; Jessica Fiorelli at the National Alliance of Breast Cancer Organizations; William C. Bryson for information on Alcoholics Anonymous; and Michael Lewallen for information on music therapy.
With a grateful heart, I would like to thank the individuals who have generously shared their stories for this book. I join Dale in recognizing with gratitude the excellent work of our agent, Gail Ross, and our editor, Mindy Werner. Thanks are due as well to Connie Wood and Tory Matthews for indispensable, intelligent research assistance. Connie and Tory join a host of others who deserve thanks for their prayer support of this project, including many members of my faith community, Grace Episcopal Church in Alexandria, Virginia, in particular Mary Blouin, who has prayed daily for this book. I want to thank Paul Hanley, Robert Malm, Rhoda Nary, and Karen Special for helping me chart a course through unknown waters. Thanks, too, to my dear friends Laura Akgulian, Drew Minter, and Brooke Russell, and to my cherished family members (too numerous to name!), for support and guidance.
My deep love and thanks go, as always, to my partner in life and work, Guy Lushin, for editorial insight, steadiness of soul, and great good humor.
CONNIE CLARK
INTRODUCTION
In two decades of practicing medicine, I have been honored to participate in the healing process of thousands of patients suffering from all kinds of illnessesheart disease, cancer, diabetes, depression, and more. Depending on each patients particular problems, I have conducted examinations, provided counseling, prescribed medications, ordered tests, and made referrals to other practitioners, all according to prevailing standards of scientific medical practice. Many patients have benefited from my treatment; others have not. Some patients have had routine textbook recoveries from illness and surgery; in other instances, I have witnessed recoveries, even healings, that cannot be fully explained by science. In particular, I have frequently observed the power that faith and religious commitment can exert in maintaining health and in helping people recover from and cope with illness. I am not alone: many other physicians have made similar observations. Until recently, however, the medical profession has pondered these phenomena mostly in silence rather than making them the subject of scientific studies.
