Nursing's links with Christianity are not so obvious today. There are many other philosophies and religions which are influencing nursing theory and practice. Yet it remains a fact that the Christian world view has positively shaped the practice of nursing in our history as a profession, and can still be recognised in nursing codes of ethics and practice. In nursing today, we can still see some strong links to nursing's past. Among many new trends and changes emerging in nursing theory and practice today, two have generated a good deal of interest for several years. One is a renewed focus on holistic care, and the other, which arises from it, is an interest in spirituality and spiritual care in nursing.