From the Introduction to Chemicals and Christians: Compassion and Caution

Most people living today would probably agree that chemicals can make us sick. We may have a tendency, though, to think of “chemicals” in vague and distant terms—as manufacturing spills or toxic emissions we might hear about in the news. “Sick,” in this way of thinking, usually seems to mean developing cancer or another disease we can easily tie to the problematic products. It happens to unfortunate others, we’re tempted to think, and has limited relevance to us.

Industrial waste is a major concern, and chemical exposures are definitely tied to cancers and a wide range of known diseases. The challenges posed by modern chemicals, however, are much broader and deeper than our culture and our churches seem to realize. The truth is that all of us marinate daily in a broth of synthetic, man-made products that in ordinary amounts can have serious effects on our bodies, minds, and spirits. Because most of us aren’t tuned to look for a connection, or don’t have the information we need about the products that surround us, we may be unaware that we’re suffering the effects of chemical exposures.

Some people, however, have come to see a direct relationship between exposure to specific chemicals and the health symptoms they face. Although chemical exposure can worsen any health disorder, those who have significant and direct problems have a condition described by many names. These include environmental illness (EI), toxic illness, toxicant-induced loss of tolerance (TILT), chemical illness, chemical injury, multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS), and more.

This book discusses the chemicals found in common products. It’s written for those who react to those chemicals, both knowingly and unknowingly, those whose actions affect people who are chemically ill, and those at risk of developing toxic illness. The categories include every human on earth. A key theme is that seemingly small decisions about the use of common products may affect people’s wellbeing and that of those around them in profound and life-altering ways. Everyday items can make healthy people sick and sick people sicker.

To a large degree, this book is about the church and how it can help and harm people at all stages of chemical tolerance or reactivity. The message is simple: there’s a large but seemingly invisible group of people who are currently not only unreached, but actually shut out of corporate fellowship. They need to be seen, not only for the sake of ministering to them, but for the warning they provide to others, who can very easily join their ranks.

The message in two words is this: take care. Take care not to let everyday chemicals affect you, and take care of those who’ve already developed toxic illness.