Teleios: August 2022

Wednesday, August 31, 2022

Something on which to meditate

Welcome back to my blog. Thank you for taking time to read it.

We have been discussing the exciting research findings from Teleios! Over the past several weeks we have shown that peer-reviewed medical literature and Teleios scientific studies support improved wellbeing with Christianity in both healthy individuals and those suffering with disease!

Today let us explore meditation versus church attendance. Why do that? The world constantly tries to replace God with something they consider just as good, but consistent with their goals. Their biggest desire is to replace God with the state where everyone is individually tethered to the government for their life’s sustenance.

On a more personal level, the world often encourages the practice of meditation as a help to wellbeing. We see this in advertisements, particularly from drug companies, who wish to depict people in some pastoral setting maintaining some impossible postural stance, supposedly taking the company’s new medicine, and enjoying good wellbeing! Of course, God or prayer would never be considered in such ads.

Further, meditation is frequently used in the medical literature as a secular method to increase wellbeing for patients and at the same time avoid suggesting or endorsing religion. 1 However, surveys show individuals who attend church, at least occasionally, and the vast majority believe God exists. Our culture generally does not live in fields doing slow motion exercises as depicted on drug advertising. Accordingly, we reviewed the medical literature to compare the effect of meditation to church attendance on wellbeing in physically healthy subjects.

Our review included 37 articles and showed that several types of meditation practices, and church attendance of a variety of denominations, provided improved general wellbeing among physically healthy populations (read more details here https://teleiosresearch.com/church-attendance-meditation-wellbeing/).

However, such a simple solution as replacing religion with meditation has several potential problems:

 Meditation is a religiously based practice derived from Hinduism. 2 Therefore, the practice of meditation does not completely avoid religion.

 The long-term effect of meditation over a person’s lifetime has not been well studied. In contrast, historically, people that attended church their whole lives have done so without known general detrimental clinical effects.

 Meditation only is practiced by approximately 9% of individuals in the United States; whereas church attendance is a foundational institution in American culture, attended by 70% (at least once monthly to yearly). 3,4

 Christian church attendance is associated with other specific findings, not associated with meditation, which might positively contribute to general wellbeing such as:

o Community service

o Prayer

o Socialization

o Praise

o Confidence in a positive relationship with God based in a biblical definition of eternal life as a free gift

through faith in Christ’s sacrifice. 5-8

 Further, improved wellbeing is associated with adherence to the Christian walk.

-The articles we reviewed did not differentiate the quality of Christian practice of participants, as church attendance is only one activity. Teleios has shown those who adhere more closely to their Christian faith have improved wellbeing. Accordingly, such practices might lead to improved wellbeing over what meditation would allow. A well-designed prospective study would be needed to show this.

- In contrast, the several medical studies that have showed religion had no positive impact on wellbeing, the practice of the patients’ religion was internal (self-focused) much like meditation is by nature. Christianity at its heart is a service and love for others.

Our review of the medical literature suggests meditation and church attendance may offer a benefit to wellbeing. However, the complete practice of Christianity, which may include church attendance, generally provides better wellbeing than church attendance alone.

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=meditation+well-being

2. http://www.religionfacts.com/hinduism/practices

3. https://nccih.nih.gov/research/statistics/NHIS/2012/mind-body/meditation

4. http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2013/09/13/what-surveys-say-about-worship-attendance-and-why-some-stay-home/

5. https://teleiosresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/CV-TELEIOS-GCC-I-CTCP-2013.pdf

6. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12848838/

7. https://archive.org/details/basictheology0000ryri

8. https://teleiosresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/CV-TELEIOS-GCC-II-CMHJ-2013.pdf

William C. Stewart, MD

For questions or to view more of our research…

Email - info@teleiosresearch.com

Website - http://teleiosresearch.com/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch

Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh6wIbPgxeP0YvypwAn5-9Q

Disclaimer - This blog and its content are provided only as information and are intended for visitors 18 and older. No content on the website should be taken as advice or recommendation to any personal or institutional situation. The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily either shared or endorsed by Teleios. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and or do your own research into the scriptures.

Wednesday, August 24, 2022

A good marriage, God’s provision to enhance your life!

Welcome back to my blog. Thank you for taking time to read it.

We recently started a new series about the exciting research findings from Teleios! Our first evidence, presented over the last several weeks, was that peer-reviewed and Teleios sponsored scientific studies support improved wellbeing with Christianity!

Today let us continue this thrilling journey of the benefits of scripture by exploring what the medical literature states about religion and traditional man/woman based marriage. This a vital topic for our lives.

Remember, most all academic studies evaluating religion are performed in traditionally First World countries which are historically Christian. Although academic authors typically are shy to mention Christianity, the majority of subjects in these studies would have been de facto evangelical or social Christians.

Our review of the medical literature shows an overwhelming benefit of traditional marriage on both general wellbeing and specific parameters that might affect wellbeing, including: physical and mental health, sexual satisfaction, family income, and children’s outcomes. Of the numerous articles we evaluated, only three did not note a marriage benefit.

Further, although not all articles assessed the same subject groups, there is a progressive trend of enhanced wellbeing and its associated parameters, the stronger the relationship commitment; generally manifested by the following:

 Never married, widowed and divorced individuals show the lowest wellbeing.

 Individuals in a committed relationship, even unmarried, have improved wellbeing compared to uncommitted couples.

 Cohabitating couples demonstrate improved wellbeing compared to those not in a relationship.

 Cohabitating couples who are committed enjoy greater wellbeing than uncommitted cohabitating relationships.

 Married couples show the highest wellbeing ratings compared to other commitment levels and singles.

Why would traditional marriage relationships provide the strongest associated wellbeing with levels decreasing with less committed relationships? The answer is not completely clear, but we speculate marriage may:

 Help with income, reducing costs, household tasks, and raising children.

 Provide needed socialization and a potential source of personal enrichment, encouragement and empathy.

 Allow confidence and trust in a spouse in discussing sensitive issues and reaching personal as well as professional goals.

 Assist the marriage partner in maintaining good health such as in keeping medical appointments, taking medicines and achieving a healthy lifestyle.

 Facilitate sexual satisfaction by eliminating competing love interests.

 Build a healthy spiritual relationship by encouraging mutual adherence to the Christian faith and in studying God’s word. One past study indicated that marriage increased the probability for attending religious services. However, a cohabitation alone reduced the probability of attending church.

Our review suggests that traditional marriage generally provides numerous benefits to the relationship partners through enhanced measures of mental and physical wellbeing, and benefits to their children compared to other heterosexual partnership arrangements or single status.

We have a great God who has instituted marriage out of His wisdom and for our good. It works best in a committed, encouraging relationship which promotes many aspects of wellbeing including our Christian lifestyle, which as we've seen in recent past blogs, has its own positive impact on wellbeing.

Read more from this study at Benefit of marriage - Teleios, Inc. (teleiosresearch.com).

Please join us again next week as we continue through exploring Teleios research that can help our daily lives.

William C. Stewart, MD

For questions or to view more of our research…

Email - info@teleiosresearch.com

Website - http://teleiosresearch.com/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch

Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh6wIbPgxeP0YvypwAn5-9Q

Wednesday, August 17, 2022

Our research showing Christianity improves wellbeing!

We have started a new series about research supporting improved wellbeing with Christianity! Last week we discussed peer-reviewed scientific studies. Today let us continue the conversation of the benefits of scripture by exploring specific studies our foundation has performed.

Teleios’ data extends the information on Christianity and wellbeing found in the medical literature and might help you with your own life and Christian walk. Please consider the following results from Teleios:

 General good wellbeing – Both college students and adult Christians note high ratings for wellbeing. However, our data are more specific to evangelicals 1 whereas the medical literature would include social Christians as well.

 Evangelicals – This group has better wellbeing than social Christians 2 or Christians Seekers 3 .

 Evangelical and saved by grace - College students who self-describe as evangelical, but also saved by grace, profess better wellbeing than evangelicals alone.

 Evangelical, saved by grace and adherent - Evangelicals who indicate they are saved by grace, and adhere to their Christian faith (i.e., practice the 5 tools to maturity: prayer, praise, fellowship, Bible study and teaching others [Acts 2:42-47]) have even better wellbeing. In one of our college surveys, not a single student who was characterized by being evangelical, saved by grace and adherent, suffered poor wellbeing.

 Practicing the faith – In separate research, Teleios demonstrated those who practice the Christian faith

according to Acts 2:42-47, as noted above, enjoy better wellbeing than those who do not.

o Just a little helps - Even the practice of one to two of the measures in Acts provides better wellbeing

o More is better - Further, the more a person adheres to the five tools to maturity, the better generally is their wellbeing.

o Looking outward - Those learning and teaching the Bible directly (verse by verse), and those serving in their church or community also possess enhanced wellbeing.

 Eternal security - Those who are confident in their salvation also note better wellbeing.

So how can we summarize the exciting information we have learned the past two weeks? Christians generally have better wellbeing. Further, those who identify as evangelicals, especially if they also indicate they are saved by grace, confident in their salvation and practice the Christian faith, possess even better wellbeing! Wow, great information for our lives.

We have such a wonderful God who cares and loves us and has given us such wise literature to help us navigate our time on earth. Join us again next week as we continue to investigate scientifically based findings from Teleios.

Research - Teleios, Inc. (teleiosresearch.com)

1 Evangelical Christian = An individual saved by grace having been forgiven their sins through faith in Christ

2 Social Christian = An individual who identifies mostly with Christian culture or society while not being overly religious

3 Christian Seeker = An individual seeking to know the truth about Christianity

William C. Stewart, MD

For questions or to view more of our research…

Email - info@teleiosresearch.com

Website - http://teleiosresearch.com/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch

Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh6wIbPgxeP0YvypwAn5-9Q

Thursday, August 11, 2022

Christianity can actually help wellbeing!

Welcome back to my blog. Thank you for taking time to read it.

We are starting a new series on the exciting research findings from Teleios! Last week we discussed the reasons for our

passion at Teleios to explore the veracity of scripture. Today let us set off on a journey to discover the actual scientific

data about how the Bible helps us. It is amazing!

Our first topic is perhaps the most vital: that Bible-based Christianity generally improves wellbeing. These data come

from two main sources.

 Teleios - We have found through surveys and prospective studies that Christianity actually helps wellbeing both

generally and for specific health measures. We will discuss these findings next week.

 The medical literature – Peer-reviewed scientific studies support improved wellbeing with Christianity! As we

began our research at Teleios this was a surprise to us. We found many studies indicating wellbeing was

improved by the practice of religion. Importantly, almost all these medical studies were performed in historically

Christian countries. This indicates that most all the patients in the studies would have been either social or

believing Christians. Many of these studies can be seen in our published papers available on our website.

Otherwise, you can conduct your own search of the medical literature at Pubmed.

So let’s examine the medical literature. The findings are impressive and have shown that wellbeing is improved with

religion in:

 Demographics - All age groups (10 years and older), both genders, and African American as well as Caucasian

races.

 Broad wellbeing effect - Specific wellbeing related measures such as: sense of purpose, satisfaction, hope,

stronger social relationships, and ability to forgive.

 Social measures - Vital areas of life such as the family, career, a sense of community and socialization.

 Physical health – Healthy and patient populations. Specific diseases include: glaucoma, rheumatoid arthritis,

various cancers, chronic pain, fatigue, diabetes, diabetic eye disease, congestive heart failure, and HIV.

Religion has shown very few negative effects on wellbeing. Most commonly these have been related to the limited

expression of one's faith to either internal or external religious activities alone or to those who have an adversarial

relationship with God. The latter type of person might be one who does not understand grace as a means to salvation,

instead working to try to satisfy God.

Indeed, it is striking to see that so many researchers have found, through scientific studies, the benefit of religion on

wellbeing in Christian countries. These data are extensive and consistent enough that perhaps no other proof is needed

from a scientific standpoint. We have a great God who has benefited us with salvation through Christ by grace and

provided scripture that through the power of the Holy Spirit we can live useful and joyful lives.

Join us again next week as we look at evidence from Teleios’ efforts demonstrating Christianity can improve wellbeing.

William C. Stewart, MD

For questions or to view more of our research…

Email - info@teleiosresearch.com

Website - http://teleiosresearch.com/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch

Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh6wIbPgxeP0YvypwAn5-9Q

Disclaimer - This blog and its content are provided only as information and are intended for visitors 18 and older. No

content on the website should be taken as advice or recommendation to any personal or institutional situation. The views

expressed are those of the author and not necessarily either shared or endorsed by Teleios. Both the blog and the

contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content

are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or

complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the

content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have

trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question,

Wednesday, August 3, 2022

What drives us at Teleios?

Welcome back to my blog. Thank you for taking time to read it.

We will soon start new series about exciting research findings from Teleios! However, before we begin this vital series I

want to review briefly what pushes us at Teleios to explore the veracity of scripture.

My wonderful wife, Jeanette, and I have had the privilege over many years to teach the scriptures to college-age

students and young adults. Interestingly, what we observed during these studies motivated us to demonstrate the

exciting practical value of scripture. Below, I summarize our observations from these fun studies. I will discuss the

research findings supporting many of the statements in subsequent blogs.

Our observations, in general!

 Young Christians almost always say they believe in the truth of scripture (yay!)

 Upon further discussion, they need to know more (we all do and therefore, we study the Bible!)

 Consequently, they usually base their decision-making upon precepts learned in: church or college groups, social

Christian settings, or from their church denomination

 Accordingly, they lack confidence in the direct knowledge of God's word

 They then do not test God’s word in their lives resulting in a failure to build confidence in His precepts

 Further, they suffer with a nagging doubt, that if they really faced a crisis, their scriptural knowledge could not

supply an answer. This crisis appears usually in two forms:

o An emotional crisis with themselves or a friend

o A conversation with a non-believer about the Gospel.

 Consequently, the temptation exists, because of their insecurities about scripture, to avoid confronting internal

or external spiritual conflicts and to simply survive within the social church setting

 And of course, there is the minority (16-20%) that want to do what they want to do, regardless of God’s Word!

It is like a security guard at the local shopping mall who might enjoy the comfortable job among the nice orderly

shoppers. However, he knows deep inside he should learn how to fight in case a crisis ever occurred at the mall, such as

armed robbers or an Islamic Jihadist attack. But he doesn’t, knowing that he could run away if a crisis ever came.

Consequently, he has no opportunity to ever gain confidence in fighting techniques or his own abilities.

So, it is with many Christians in what I call the ‘cycle of failure’ (please see figure below). They enjoy the social Christian

setting and do not learn God's word. Therefore, they really never gain confidence in their biblical knowledge.

Accordingly, they never test themselves and obtain a deep confidence in the Bible’s value for daily life.

The figure describes the ‘Cycle of Failure’ of those who do not learn or test God’s word, not building the confidence to act

based on its precepts. Consequently, they never knowing its full power.

God has granted us a sure and quality Bible text upon which we can base not only our great salvation but the guidance

for our lives! The Bible tells us to test God‘s Word to build confidence (Romans 12:2; Greek word ‘dokimazo’) and utilize

its power to live our lives with surety and maturity (Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 5:14).

Therefore, the name of our foundation is Teleios…

Original Word: τέλειος, α, ον

Part of Speech: Adjective

Transliteration: teleios

Phonetic Spelling: (tel'-i-os)

Definition: having reached its end, complete, perfect

Usage: perfect, (a) complete in all its parts, (b) full grown, of full age, (c) specially of the completeness of

Christian character

Let us help you reach your spiritual maturity!

Thanks for reading my blog. Please join us as we explore in the next few weeks the compelling findings from Teleios’

research that demonstrates the overwhelming power of the Bible to salvation and living a fruitful life.