Toward a Theology of Psychological Disorder

by Marcia Webb, John Swinton (Foreword)

How do Christians in the twenty-first century understand psychological disorders? What does Scripture have to teach us about these conditions? Marcia Webb examines attitudes about psychological disorder in the church today, and compares them to the scriptural testimony. She offers theological and psychological insights to help contemporary Christians integrate biblical perspectives with current scientific knowledge about mental illness.

"Toward a Theology of Psychological Disorder weaves scriptural, theological, historical, psychological, and other insight together to provide rich grounding for theological and practical reflection. Concern about the role of Christian communities amid the suffering caused by mental illness motivates Webb's exploration, and the book invites consideration of faithful responses. Congregations, clergy, family members, and those who suffer will find the book a thoughtful resource as they attend to the distress caused by psychological disorders." --Heather Hartung Vacek, Vice President for Academics, Dean of Faculty, Associate Professor of Church History, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary

"Webb's exploration of human fragility and limitation is set in a context of grace and goodness, within the story of God's redemptive love for human persons. Her integrative insights spring from cultural analysis, biblical story, individual narratives, theological and philosophical frameworks, and contemporary psychological science. She weaves all this together into much needed wisdom for all of us in churches, schools, and clinics. Throughout, her tender care for all who live with psychological disorders is evident." --Claudia DeVries Beversluis, Clinical Psychologist, Professor of Psychology, Calvin College

"This is a head-on engagement with common cultural and religious beliefs about mental illness that harm and isolate rather than help and heal. By providing critiques to those perspectives on the basis of Scripture and theology, and by developing alternative biblical and theological foundations, Dr. Webb provides a guide that can be used time and again by clergy, counselors, people with psychological disorders, their families, and friends. Well done!" --Bill Gaventa, Director, Summer Institute on Theology and Disability

Marcia Webb has a Master of Divinity degree and a PhD in clinical psychology. She is Associate Professor of Psychology at Seattle Pacific University.

Genres: Theology, Mental Health, Psychology, Counselling, Nonfiction

183 pages, Paperback

Published August 15, 2017

Reviews

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fairly good. The author attempts a theological interaction with mental disorder. The positives were how she handled our suspicions of others and our trite diagnosis and overly positive expectations of quick resolutions and change. God works slowly.
In the second half the theological points were generally well handled, except for passability. There was a firm focus on Christ and his identification as the outcast and abandoned one.

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

A helpful introduction to some reflections on a biblical theology of psychological disorder. It was shocking to realize in reading the sources used by Webb just how little has been written on this topic. Webb begins by offering an outline of some prominent contemporary "negative lay theologies of psychological disorder" in Western Christianity (psychological disorder as lack of faith, self-centeredness, a result of sin, caused by demonic oppression, etc.) along with a historical review of possible origins in the writings of the desert fathers and aspects of developing medieval theology. The second part of the book offers a number of avenues for reflecting on psychological disorder from the biblical narrative: the scope of time commonly involved in healing and growth, the Pauline theme of "God's power in our weakness," the identification of individuals struggling with mental health issues as the stranger in our midst, the complexity and unique giftedness of those with psychological disorders in reflecting the nature and image of God, and a brief reflection on the "passibility" of God.

Overall a helpful book, I think, and one that would be particularly so for someone who has grown up with some of those negative "lay theologies;" Webb's focus on the biblical narrative would also be helpful for someone with a very high view of scripture, who has heard scripture used negatively in relation to mental health or psychological disorders. I think my main critique of the book is the lack of clarity or distinction between "psychological distress" and "psychological disorder." Webb begins by acknowledging an inclusive and broad approach that doesn't distinguish between them, but for developing a robust theology of psychological disorder I think it is vital, and a major theoretical omission that leaves serious gaps. What is the difference between someone experiencing extreme life stressors, and so also experiencing episodes of anxiety or depression which are resolved when their life calms down, and someone who develops a full-blown panic attack disorder that recurs for the rest of their life? A psychological disorder certainly involves suffering and distress, but it should not be reduced to those things, and any theology of psychological disorder should be able to give an account for that distinction.

[Chloe Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was excellent. For an academic work, it's concise, well written and accessible. I might disagree with Webb on some details in the first part of the book, about the "current dilemma" — but the second part explaining her own theology of psychological disorder (power in weakness, freedom in finitude, complexity in disorder, estrangement, and passibility) was on point. It was biblical, compassionate, hopeful and profound, all in about 50 pages. Highly recommend.

[Jim Rickard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

As a Pastor I really appreciated this book from a doctor in the medical profession sharing how scripture and spiritual ways apply to mental disorders. If you or someone you know is having a mental disorder of some sort, please read this book.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

[Jemma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uplifting brilliance

I found this book fantastic as a Christian living with severe mental illness it was like a breath of fresh air. Theories and complex ideas are presented in a way that although challenging are easy to grasp thanks to the many examples, scriptures and quotes.

For me I found it useful in bringing together my knowledge of mental illness and study of the bible in a way no other book I have read to date has.

I would really recommend this book to those in ministry, pastoral care and church leadership.