Mediko

Jim Ruff D. Min.

Description

Into the turmoil following the Spanish American war in the Philippines, came Raphael C. Thomas, a Harvard trained medical doctor with a seminary degree and a desire to preach the gospel. This is the compelling story, often in his own words, of the times, teammates, triumphs, and tragedies of this unique leader, teacher and doctor.
In this book, the remarkable story of Raphael Thomas is brought to life in the historical contexts of the 19th and 20th centuries. Thomas was trained in theology and medicine in the finest schools in New England, but his one goal was to serve as a medical missionary in Asia. He served with two mission agencies, and with many unique and colorful characters from America and the Philippines. His sense of humor, and his sense of honor, are frequently seen here, as are the personal losses he experienced. He was convinced that medicine, education, and training should always be in service to evangelism and the establishment of churches. In his later years, “Raph” attempted to bring evangelicals in the Northern Baptist Convention together. Whether his convictions, his breath of vision, his tenacity, or his tenderness is in view, Raphael Thomas proves to be a man of God we ought to know.

Sujets

• Baptist
• Christian Ministry
• Philosophie et théologie
• Adult
• Baptists
• Philippines
• Religion

Informations

• Publié par: WestBow Press
• Date de parution: 27 mars 2023
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781664292468
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 1 Mo

Extrait

MEDIKO

The Life and Legacy of DR. RAPHAEL THOMAS, Medical Missionary to the Philippines

Jim Ruff, D. Min.


Copyright © 2023 Jim Ruff, D. Min.
 
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
 
This book is a work of non-fiction. Unless otherwise noted, the author and the publisher make no explicit guarantees as to the accuracy of the information contained in this book and in some cases, names of people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.
 
 
WestBow Press
A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan
1663 Liberty Drive
Bloomington, IN 47403
www.westbowpress.com
844-714-3454
 
Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.
 
Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.
Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.
 
Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, King James Version (Authorized Version). First published in 1611. Quoted from the KJV Classic Reference Bible, Copyright © 1983 by The Zondervan Corporation.
 
Permission to quote many of the materials concerning the decades of the life and ministries of Dr. Thomas with the ABMU and ABFMS has been provided Courtesy of the American Baptist Historical Society, Atlanta, GA
 
ISBN: 978-1-6642-9247-5 (sc)
ISBN: 978-1-6642-9248-2 (hc)
ISBN: 978-1-6642-9246-8 (e)
 
Library of Congress Control Number: 2023903065
 
 
 
WestBow Press rev. date: 02/25/2023
CONTENTS
Preface
Acknowledgements
Maps
Introduction
Chapter 1The Formative Years
Heritage
The Early Life of “Raph” Thomas
Chapter 2Higher Education and Higher Influences
Harvard College
Influences of Missionary Movements and the Young Men’s Christian Association
Graduation and the Beginning of Theological Training
Theological training under Dr. Alvah Hovey
Transition to Medical Training
Chapter 3Medical Training and Back to Theology
Medicine in the late 1800’s
Harvard Medical School
Internship and Return to Newton
Chapter 4The Asia Raph Thought He Knew
Chapter 5The Preparation of Missionary Doctor Thomas for the Philippines
From Call to Leading
Ordination
Chapter 6The ‘Preparation of the Philippines’ for Dr. Thomas
Beautiful people
Location
Language
Natural Beauty
Community Life
History
Natural and Human Calamities
Non-Catholic Christianity Arrives
Chapter 7Missionary to the Philippines
Journey to a New Life
At Sea
Arrival in the Philippines
After Arriving in Iloilo Province
A Colportage Wagon Tour
Visit to Mindanao
A Note about Missionary Attitudes
Chapter 8Early Medical Ministry in the Philippines
The Condition of Medical Work When Thomas First Arrived
A Medical Trek with Joe Robbins
The Dispensary in Capiz
Hospitals
Observations Concerning Filipino Colleagues and Patients at the Hospital
Surgery
Autopsies
The Condition of Lepers in the Philippines and their Treatment
Alberto Franco, Preacher from La Paz
Chapter 9Evangelism, Church Planting, and Other Ministries under the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society
Evangelism
Education
Church Planting
The Law
First Furlough
Chapter 10Winifred
The Hidden Heart of a Romantic
Winifred Cheney
Chapter 11Raph and Winifred to the Philippines
Hospital Ministry Resumed
Hints Concerning Missing Missionary Cooperation
Ministry Opportunities, 1909 through 1911
An Incident in Negros
A Precious Gift and Pain
A Trip for Health and Study
Return to the Philippines
Winifred “Falls asleep” in Jesus
Chapter 12Ministry in America
Report at the Judson Centennial
The “Other Calling”
Chapter 13Norma and Her Unique Mother
Birth and Family: The Adventure Begins
Norma’s Unique Mother
Norma’s Life Adventure Continues
Demetrie, on the Way Home
Chapter 14Serving under ABFMS from 1917
Society and Field Organization
Medical and Dormitory Ministry
Evangelism and Church Planting
Education and Leadership Training
Chapter 157 to 1923, A Period of Losses
The World at War, and War with a Pandemic
Personal Life and Loss During this Momentous Period
Children
Chapter 16The Doane Connection
William Howard Doane and Fanny Crosby
Mrs. Marguerite Doane (1868–1954)
Doane Rest in Baguio
Impact
Chapter 17Serving under ABFMS from 1924
1924
1925
‘The Genus Nurse’
From Requesting a Furlough to Staying the Course
Chapter 18The Deterioration of the Relationship with the ABFMS
The School Problem
Raph’s Desired Expansion of His Evangelistic Ministries
Mission Policies
Resignation Submitted
The Commission
Chapter 19The Parting of the Ways
Meeting with the Board
The Board’s Statement
Raph’s Response
Chapter 20The Parent-Child Relationship and Missionary Service
Chapter 21A New Mission Board is Born
Formation of the Association of Baptists for Evangelism in the Orient
Increasing the Organization of the ABEO
First Term in the Philippines under ABEO
Palawan
On a Walk in Iloilo
The Abrupt Conclusion of Their Term of Ministry
Chapter 22God’s Ship in the Sulu Sea
The Fukuin Maru
The Gospel Ship
Chapter 23Further Organization of ABEO, and The Problem of Imminence
The Mystery
Raph Becomes More Outspoken About His Concerns
Temporary Return to the Field
Chapter 24Change of Mission Leadership, and Signing on the Dotted Line
Mrs. Peabody’s Resignations
The New President
Signing on the Dotted Line: An Illuminating Exchange
Chapter 25Transition to Ministry in America
Representative
An Annual Meeting
Finances
Change of Location and Type of Ministry
Chapter 26Later Ministries
Statesman
Speaker
Author and Correspondent
Recruiter
Chapter 27Last Years
Cherished Relationships
No Regrets
Going Home
Remembered
 
Postscript
Appendix 1 Too Many Named Jesse Burgess Thomas?
Appendix 2 Early American Baptist Missions
Appendix 3 Other Baptist Theologians Who Downplayed Millennial or Pre-Millennial Views
Appendix 4 Those mentioned in Raph’s 1938 Correspondence as Possible Participants in his Attempt toward Reconciliation
Appendix 5 Legacy: Raph’s Philosophy of Missions Reviewed
Appendix 6 Certificates and Diplomas
Appendix 7 Pepita’s Problem
List of Maps and Illustrations with Credits
Maps
Illustrations
Bibliography
Endnotes
PREFACE
T he beauty of the Philippines and her people; the dedication of a mediko, a doctor, to his people; recovery from tragic loss; adventures in a strange land; the values of strategic planning; the need for compassionate leadership; or the impact of both humility and determination in one heart: any of these would qualify as themes in the story of Dr. Raphael Thomas. Yet the greatest theme of his story is this: what would happen if a man who loved God, and desired to be used by Him for the greatest good, were given the opportunity to pursue the healing of souls and the healing of bodies among people he would learn to love and would long to prepare to deliver the same spiritual and physical healing to others?
This book has been a labor of love for many years. Portions of it were written as projects while working on a Doctor of Ministry degree. Other portions were squeezed in between other ministry responsibilities. The final work on the book has been done over the last three years. The excitement of beginning to dip my feet in the ocean of correspondence left by Dr. Thomas has only grown as I have waded more deeply into all that he wrote, and all that was written about him.
I never met Dr. Thomas, but in conversation with Dr. Harold Commons in his last years, I felt the years falling away and the person of Raphael Thomas began to form in my mind through the wise and witty explanations Dr. Commons gave me about this man he described as “like a father” to him.
It is my hope that Raphael Thomas, his times, his humor, his heart, and the amazing people connected to him will begin to form in the reader’s mind; that the evangelistic zeal and fervor for missions that flowed through the veins of this man of God in the early twentieth century will, through the transfusion of this biography, bring greater strength, energy, and faith to twenty-first century followers of the Lord Jesus Christ.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
A n honest summary of those who influenced my life, and the writing of this book would be quite long, but I must mention a few, especially to answer the question of why a missionary to Japan wrote the biography of a missionary to the Philippines. Thanks to Apolonario (Paul) and Vi Apoong and Leo Calica, special friends in seminary and in the Philippines. To Dr. Jim Parker, my mentor, co-pastor, and avid supporter of Paul Apoong’s ministries in Dagupan (Now together with Paul in glory). I