Scriptural Protection and Healing in Early Christian Culture

A wide range of Christian observances testify to the belief that the presence of Christ is mediated by scripture with protective and healing effects. In order to gain a rounded picture of early Christian culture, these need to be considered alongside formal liturgical usage. Portions of scripture have been carried by humans and attached to livestock to give protection from natural harms. Verses have been carved upon lintels to safeguard houses. Such uses intensify the moral and spiritual significance of scripture rather than diminish them. Narrative accounts describe Gospel books being placed by beds or under the head during sleep to promote recovery from ailments, with the latter confirmed by physical wear to book pages. The specific texts that were used tended to reflect the condition from which recovery was sought, whereas during later periods, particular texts such as the Gospel incipits came to be used for multiple purposes.