In Our Missional Work, the Holy Spirit Cares About Our Bodies

This paper shares the author’s research on the biological extent to which the Holy Spirit supports individuals acting in their Imago Dei missional calling or, more simply stated, in our missional work, the Holy Spirit cares for our bodies. The premise is that the Holy Spirit uses and revitalizes an individual’s capabilities through engagement with their spirit, soul, and body. Redemption is a spiritual act that includes a redemptive response in our body. Epigenetics is one of the biological adaptive pathways the Holy Spirit can use to switch how the body responds to environmental, spiritual, and communal activity. This enables the ability to remember a redemptive state. The term biological redemption captures this concept. Epigenetics is the field of genetics (the study of genes) that looks at how external factors impact the expression of genetic traits without changing the underlying genes. Humans’ heavenly final state will be with the glorified body God intends for us. In the present, one’s biological redemption is a byproduct of spiritual formation and supportive spiritual community involvement. In clinical studies, prayer and spiritual activity prove how they impact health and disease recovery. The Holy Spirit is a constant resource to empower individuals in our missional work, including refreshing our bodies in the fallen world. Our bodies are a necessary part of our human ministry. To share the Great Commission, a believer must engage other individuals physically using one’s body. To do this missional role, the body must perform competently. Biblical and ministry examples show this in the essay. David received the Holy Spirit when Samuel anointed David, leading him to persevere over Saul trying to kill him. David prospered as a king and a man after God’s own heart. Paul transcends his situation through fellowship, prayer, singing of hymns, and glorifying God. The Holy Spirit elevated Paul’s spirit and refreshed his body. At times, even miraculous interventions took place (Acts 16:22-30). Exploring biological redemption allows one to trace how the human body responds to the Holy Spirit’s handiwork. The essay shows how environmental factors, including spiritual practices, influence human biology via epigenetics, and it concludes that the Holy Spirit cares about our bodies and can use the adaptation mechanism of epigenetics to support individuals, with a particular focus on missional work.