Why Do Christians Shoot Their Wounded?: Helping (Not Hurting) Those With Emotional Difficulties

by Dwight L. Carlson

It's no sin to hurt. Thousands of Christians suffer real emotional pain--such as depression, anxiety, obsessiveness. Many other Christians, including prominent leaders, believe emotional problems are the result of sin or bad choices. These attitudes often only add to the suffering of those who hurt. In this book Dwight Carlson marshals recent scientific evidence that demonstrates many emotional problems are just as physical or biological as diabetes, cancer and heart disease. While he never discounts personal responsibility, Carlson shows from both the Bible and up-to-date medicine why it really is no sin to hurt. Understandably and compellingly, Why Do Christians Shoot Their Wounded? brings profound help for those who hurt and those who counsel. For those who suffer, here is a powerful liberation from guilt. For those who care for the suffering, here is vivid proof that those in emotional pain deserve compassion, not condemnation.

Genres: Nonfiction, Psychology, Mental Health, Religion, Faith, Christianity, Christian Living

174 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1994

Reviews

[Mike (the Paladin) · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a Christian it hurts when I see the damage often done by "Christian ministers" to those they should help. As you read this I ask you to remember that ministers, Pastors etc. are human also and often make errors in judgement. That is especially true when they lean on their own understanding instead of God's.

[Dr. Chad Newton, PhD-HRD · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful read about a behavioral pattern I noticed among so many Christians regardless of their denominations, theologies, or God-images! One of the first things that Dr. Carlson pointed out was that "an attitude permeates Christianity that assumes emotional problems to be caused by deliberate sins or bad choices" (p. 11). Therefore, many Christians wrongly accuse emotional sufferers of having "guilty" consciences and thereby worsen the mental wounds by shaming them or criticizing their characters. Dr. Carlson also stated that "one reason that Christians shoot their wounded is because we fail to comprehend the complexity and severe pain of emotional suffering" (p. 21). A clever name he gave to the ridiculous beliefs about emotional suffering as a lack of faith in the Holy Spirit was called the "emotional health gospel" (p. 39). According to that "gospel", nobody should experience emotional suffering is he or she has the Holy Spirit or is a faithful Christian.

[Scott · Rating 1 out of 5]

As a certified biblical counselor, this book seemed dishonest or ignorant (or both) about what biblical counselors believe and practice. The author seems to point out some poor practices of certain churches and Christian leaders and then broadly applies them to all Christians, even those who are competent to counsel and do appreciate both the spiritual and physical aspects of man, and therefore both spiritual and medical help as appropriate. I think the author muddies his categories when he speaks of "spiritual" "mental", "emotional" , and "physical", and then accuses Christians of completely ignoring anything but prayer and "just get over it" as solutions to peoples' problems. While such bad practices as his examples illustrate have and do go on, it is irresponsible to then imply all Christians shoot their wounded. None of his criticisms are accurate of good pastoral care and competent biblical counselors, but many who read this book will presume all Christians to be as incompetent as he judges them to be, and that's both wrong and unfruitful.

[Dianna Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book for any Christian suffering from mental illness; any Christian who has been chastised or judged for their mental illness; any Christian who believes prayer is the only answer for healing; any Christian who has chastised or judged another church member for their mental illness; any Christian who teaches children that therapy or medication is sin; any Christian who teaches adults that medication is evidence of sin....and so on and so forth.

It’s an amazing read with Biblical and scientific facts about mental illness and how the church, church leaders, and fellow Christian brothers and sisters should handle it.

[Star Shining Forever · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The medical community, insurance companies and legislators are all starting to recognize the biological contribution to mental illnesses. My concern and prayer is that Christians in particular recognize these truths and, in the process, extend more grace, compassion and assistance to the wounded among us.”

It’s still written from a Christian perspective and disappointingly puts God at the top for a happy life but it does have a lot of useful and insightful information for those Christians who say mental health care isn’t real and all you need is Jesus. Nobody is perfect and we could all use a little more empathy.

[debby boyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great look at mental illnesses and the ways to handle in a supportive way

[Dawn Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is great! I wish all the "flat earth" people I know would read this one!!! Funny no matter what science has proven, some people still insist on believing outdated and silly things about mental illness:) I thank God I am free from the opression of such small minded ignorant people. And I will just leave it at that.