Sin, Sorrow, and Serotonin: Examining Mental Health Misinformation in the Church

by Josh Wageman

82 pages, Paperback

Published January 28, 2026

Reviews

[Scott · Rating 1 out of 5]

If the book were only comprised of Part II, I’d likely add it to my library of theology and biblical counseling, and it would fit right in. Unfortunately, the work comes with Part I included. The author is quite critical of pastoral types who think every problem of a hurting person is rooted in the personal sin of that person, that time with such persons is an inconvenience and waste of his own time, is accusative, insensitive, and lacking in love, compassion, and a solid theological understanding of what it is to be an undershepherd of souls.

Fair enough. Certainly, such people exist and have earned the descriptor, “worthless physician.” But in a curious and regrettable twist, the author crucifies this this man and hangs a sign on his cross, “this is the certified biblical counselor.” This is a gross misrepresentation.

There are good things said in this book about how soul-care ought to be conducted. But as the author proposes these in lieu of the crucified biblical counselor, what the author seems not to realize is that the world of biblical counseling would agree rather than disagree with what he seems to present as a better alternative.

Knowing the author personally, I do not believe malice was intended against faithful biblical counselors and pastors who believe in the sufficiency of Scripture for life and godliness, and approach help in a biblical way. I have to believe at the root of this misinformation regarding the biblical counseling movement and how biblical counselors approach the care of hurting souls is a profound misunderstanding of biblical counseling, and an overreaction to some of its fair and measured criticisms of the secular therapeutic - so profound that it would have been better for the author to “lay his hand on his mouth” until he sought some clarity from biblical counselors rather than to pontificate so arrogantly against what he clearly misunderstands. This attempt to address “misinformation” spreads real misinformation and sows doubt to the hurt, not the help, of the church. As a friend and certified biblical counselor, I’m both taken aback and disappointed.