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Finding Jesus in the Storm: The Spiritual Lives of Christians with Mental Health Challenges
People living with mental health challenges are not excluded from God’s love or even the fullness of life promised by Jesus. Unfortunately, this hope is often lost amid the well-meaning labels and medical treatments that dominate the mental health field today. In Finding Jesus in the Storm, John Swinton makes the case for reclaiming that hope by changing the way we talk about mental health and remembering that, above all, people are people, regardless of how unconventionally they experience life.
Finding Jesus in the Storm is a call for the church to be an epicenter of compassion for those experiencing depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and related difficulties. That means breaking free of the assumptions that often accompany these diagnoses, allowing for the possibility that people living within unconventional states of mental health might experience God in unique ways that are real and perhaps even revelatory. In each chapter, Swinton gives voice to those experiencing the mental health challenges in question, so readers can see firsthand what God’s healing looks like in a variety of circumstances. The result is a book about people instead of symptoms, description instead of diagnosis, and lifegiving hope for everyone in the midst of the storm.
Finding Jesus in the Storm is a call for the church to be an epicenter of compassion for those experiencing depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and related difficulties. That means breaking free of the assumptions that often accompany these diagnoses, allowing for the possibility that people living within unconventional states of mental health might experience God in unique ways that are real and perhaps even revelatory. In each chapter, Swinton gives voice to those experiencing the mental health challenges in question, so readers can see firsthand what God’s healing looks like in a variety of circumstances. The result is a book about people instead of symptoms, description instead of diagnosis, and lifegiving hope for everyone in the midst of the storm.
317 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 22, 2020
60 people are currently reading
544 people want to read
About the author
John Swinton
112 books75 followersJohn Swinton (born 1957) is a Scottish theologian. He is the Chair in Divinity and Religious Studies at the School of Divinity, History, and Philosophy, University of Aberdeen. He is founder of the university's Centre for Spirituality, Health and Disability. He is an ordained minister of the Church of Scotland and Master of Christ’s College, the university's theological college. Swinton is a major figure in the development of disability theology.
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January 3, 2021
As a pastor, I've encountered many persons who face mental health challenges. I also have family members who have experienced depression and other mental health issues. In fact, at some point, most of us have had some experience with some form of mental health concerns in our lives. Strangely, even in the church, it is deemed unsafe to share openly these challenges. Why is that? Why do we still stigmatize mental health concerns?
It is with questions like these in mind that John Swinton, a professor of practical theology and pastoral care at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, offers the book " Finding Jesus in the Storm." Before becoming a minister and professor, he spent time as a psychiatric nurse. Thus, he has experienced working with persons facing these concerns both inside and outside the church. What he offers here is a pathway between a simple scientific perspective and one that rejects science in favor of a religious response (prayer heals all). While affirming the value of both psychiatric diagnoses and medication as a response to mental health challenges, he wants to highlight the value of faith to the healing of persons.
You will note that Swinton uses the term "mental health challenges" rather than "mental illness." He does this for several reasons, one of which is the tendency to treat mental health issues as a disease that requires the only diagnosis (using DSM-V) and medication. In other words, as he notes, "'mental illness' is not like measles" (p. 29). That is, mental illness cannot be fully explained biologically. It may have a biological basis, but perhaps not. In writing this book he seeks to address the tendency to reduce everything to biology, preventing the spiritual dimension of such experiences.
The book itself is divided into five parts. Part one includes chapters on "redescribing the world of 'Mental Illness" and Resurrecting phenomenology." In the latter chapter, he wants to move from thin descriptions to thick ones, allowing for broader interpretations of people's mental health challenges. That is, in resurrecting phenomenology, one can move beyond simple explanation to interpretation and meaning. Part two focuses on "redescribing diagnosis." The one chapter that makes up this section is titled "taking our meds faithfully." Again, Swinton wants to move beyond simple diagnosis and medication, treating everything as if it is simply biological.
The first two parts of the book provide the foundation for Swinton's next step and that is to address three mental health concerns. Part Three focuses on "Redescribing Depression." Here is where Swinton may prove challenging to some who want to always focus on the positive. Instead, Swinton draws upon the value of lament, especially as seen in the Psalms. He brings lament into conversation with joy, noting that joy is not necessarily the same thing as happiness. I will note that Swinton has given me a broader understanding of depression, noting that depression isn't the same thing as sadness. Depression is about "antifeeling." In my conversations with persons with depression that makes great sense. It's not that they are sad. It's that they are numb. Thus, joy is, he notes resistance against despair. It is in this context that he devotes a chapter to finding God in darkness.
Part IV deals with Schizophrenia under the section title of "hearing voices." In these chapters, he seeks a deeper explanation and interpretation that goes deeper than simple diagnosis and treatment. He notes too that one is not a schizophrenic. One experiences schizophrenia. What is interesting here is the religious dimensions and how hearing voices can be understood differently in a spiritual sense. In addition, it is interpreted differently culturally. Finally, in Part Five, he writes about bipolar disorder. Again he seeks a deeper, broader interpretation that goes beyond mere diagnosis and medication.
The conclusion focuses on healing, noting the difference between healing and curing. Healing can take many forms and involves different approaches. He notes that biblically the closest thing to healing is shalom, which involves being in the right relationship with God. Thus, "to be healthy is to be in right relationship with God regardless of one's physical and psychological state." (p. 206). He writes further that "shalom is abundant life; it is what enables us to hold on to Jesus in the midst of the storms. Mental health, biblically speaking, is not defined by the presence or absence of 'symptoms.' Psychological distress is therefore not a sign of the absence of God. It is perfectly possible to be with Jesus even in the midst of deep distress." (p. 206).
I believe that this book can be helpful to anyone called to minister with/to persons with mental health challenges, whether they are a counselor, psychiatrist, clergy, or some other form of a caregiver. I think it can also prove helpful to persons who experience mental health concerns, helping them know that they are not alone and that their experiences do not mean that God has abandoned them. One thing that does sadden me as I read the book is the reminder that we still stigmatize mental health issues in our culture. That includes the church. To admit, for instance, that one suffers from depression or bipolar disorder can easily lead to the loss of jobs and exclusion from the faith community. I know, as a pastor, that there are people who seem fine on the surface that struggle with these challenges, but would admit this, even in the context of the church, because it's not safe. For that reason, this is an important book.
It is with questions like these in mind that John Swinton, a professor of practical theology and pastoral care at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, offers the book " Finding Jesus in the Storm." Before becoming a minister and professor, he spent time as a psychiatric nurse. Thus, he has experienced working with persons facing these concerns both inside and outside the church. What he offers here is a pathway between a simple scientific perspective and one that rejects science in favor of a religious response (prayer heals all). While affirming the value of both psychiatric diagnoses and medication as a response to mental health challenges, he wants to highlight the value of faith to the healing of persons.
You will note that Swinton uses the term "mental health challenges" rather than "mental illness." He does this for several reasons, one of which is the tendency to treat mental health issues as a disease that requires the only diagnosis (using DSM-V) and medication. In other words, as he notes, "'mental illness' is not like measles" (p. 29). That is, mental illness cannot be fully explained biologically. It may have a biological basis, but perhaps not. In writing this book he seeks to address the tendency to reduce everything to biology, preventing the spiritual dimension of such experiences.
The book itself is divided into five parts. Part one includes chapters on "redescribing the world of 'Mental Illness" and Resurrecting phenomenology." In the latter chapter, he wants to move from thin descriptions to thick ones, allowing for broader interpretations of people's mental health challenges. That is, in resurrecting phenomenology, one can move beyond simple explanation to interpretation and meaning. Part two focuses on "redescribing diagnosis." The one chapter that makes up this section is titled "taking our meds faithfully." Again, Swinton wants to move beyond simple diagnosis and medication, treating everything as if it is simply biological.
The first two parts of the book provide the foundation for Swinton's next step and that is to address three mental health concerns. Part Three focuses on "Redescribing Depression." Here is where Swinton may prove challenging to some who want to always focus on the positive. Instead, Swinton draws upon the value of lament, especially as seen in the Psalms. He brings lament into conversation with joy, noting that joy is not necessarily the same thing as happiness. I will note that Swinton has given me a broader understanding of depression, noting that depression isn't the same thing as sadness. Depression is about "antifeeling." In my conversations with persons with depression that makes great sense. It's not that they are sad. It's that they are numb. Thus, joy is, he notes resistance against despair. It is in this context that he devotes a chapter to finding God in darkness.
Part IV deals with Schizophrenia under the section title of "hearing voices." In these chapters, he seeks a deeper explanation and interpretation that goes deeper than simple diagnosis and treatment. He notes too that one is not a schizophrenic. One experiences schizophrenia. What is interesting here is the religious dimensions and how hearing voices can be understood differently in a spiritual sense. In addition, it is interpreted differently culturally. Finally, in Part Five, he writes about bipolar disorder. Again he seeks a deeper, broader interpretation that goes beyond mere diagnosis and medication.
The conclusion focuses on healing, noting the difference between healing and curing. Healing can take many forms and involves different approaches. He notes that biblically the closest thing to healing is shalom, which involves being in the right relationship with God. Thus, "to be healthy is to be in right relationship with God regardless of one's physical and psychological state." (p. 206). He writes further that "shalom is abundant life; it is what enables us to hold on to Jesus in the midst of the storms. Mental health, biblically speaking, is not defined by the presence or absence of 'symptoms.' Psychological distress is therefore not a sign of the absence of God. It is perfectly possible to be with Jesus even in the midst of deep distress." (p. 206).
I believe that this book can be helpful to anyone called to minister with/to persons with mental health challenges, whether they are a counselor, psychiatrist, clergy, or some other form of a caregiver. I think it can also prove helpful to persons who experience mental health concerns, helping them know that they are not alone and that their experiences do not mean that God has abandoned them. One thing that does sadden me as I read the book is the reminder that we still stigmatize mental health issues in our culture. That includes the church. To admit, for instance, that one suffers from depression or bipolar disorder can easily lead to the loss of jobs and exclusion from the faith community. I know, as a pastor, that there are people who seem fine on the surface that struggle with these challenges, but would admit this, even in the context of the church, because it's not safe. For that reason, this is an important book.
October 5, 2020
Such far reaching consequences to the observations in this book. Felt like an incredibly important read.
September 17, 2022
Swinton here provides pastorally helpful ways of “thickening” our understanding of mental “illnesses” and provides helpful points of tension for pastors and laity to navigate the complexity of human experiences. His conclusions regarding healing provide a multidimensional approach that rejects the simplistic but all too common notion that “cure” is the desired outcome.
Nevertheless, Swinton’s account suffers from a few aspects of lack on the part of critique and his attempt at “thickening.”
First, Swinton is heavily reliant upon the medical-psychiatric apparatus. Although at times he is critical of it, these critiques usually rest comfortably on issues like “reductionism” or “over medication.” If Swinton desires that we practice “theological naming,” it seems he doesn’t extend this desire enough to expose the embedded nature of psychiatry in a vastly politically violent and isolating context. Psychiatry here is more so a well-intentioned caring force which often makes some bad assumptions rather than a force which has been proven to encompass a range of violent tendencies and carceral logics.
Second, in terms of Swinton’s attempt to “thicken” our “thin” accounts, he falls short of really providing anything beyond “some mental illnesses entail meaningful experiences to some people.” Here, the over reliance upon medical or clinical language is the most obvious speed bump to a truly thickened account. Putting more flesh on accounts of madness and psychosis in particular would be helpful, such as describing the experiences in more robustly phenomenological and mystical/theological ways rather than fixed diagnostic textures.
However, the story of Allen, who had experiences of psychosis and succumbed to the more existentially threatening side of this experiences via suicide, is the key to Swinton’s contribution. Theologically, a hidden and radical political power is found in one single sentence of Swinton’s (to my knowledge I am unaware Swinton himself sees this as such a central moment:
“Together, we sat, we sang, we lamented, and we remembered Allen.”
Nothing else needs to be said.
Nevertheless, Swinton’s account suffers from a few aspects of lack on the part of critique and his attempt at “thickening.”
First, Swinton is heavily reliant upon the medical-psychiatric apparatus. Although at times he is critical of it, these critiques usually rest comfortably on issues like “reductionism” or “over medication.” If Swinton desires that we practice “theological naming,” it seems he doesn’t extend this desire enough to expose the embedded nature of psychiatry in a vastly politically violent and isolating context. Psychiatry here is more so a well-intentioned caring force which often makes some bad assumptions rather than a force which has been proven to encompass a range of violent tendencies and carceral logics.
Second, in terms of Swinton’s attempt to “thicken” our “thin” accounts, he falls short of really providing anything beyond “some mental illnesses entail meaningful experiences to some people.” Here, the over reliance upon medical or clinical language is the most obvious speed bump to a truly thickened account. Putting more flesh on accounts of madness and psychosis in particular would be helpful, such as describing the experiences in more robustly phenomenological and mystical/theological ways rather than fixed diagnostic textures.
However, the story of Allen, who had experiences of psychosis and succumbed to the more existentially threatening side of this experiences via suicide, is the key to Swinton’s contribution. Theologically, a hidden and radical political power is found in one single sentence of Swinton’s (to my knowledge I am unaware Swinton himself sees this as such a central moment:
“Together, we sat, we sang, we lamented, and we remembered Allen.”
Nothing else needs to be said.
December 1, 2020
I've loved John Swinton's insights for a long time. He moves us to bear witness with compassion, respect, and hope to those whom Christians normally judge. This book draws from a two-year in-depth qualitative study Swinton did interviewing 35 people with mental health challenges. This is both its strength and weakness. Swinton's goal of helping Christians hear the experiences of people with mental health challenges from their own perspective is beautiful, but the delivery was clunky. I've never seen so many block quotes in a book.
Even so, the pastoral kindness in this book makes it well-worth the read, especially for pastors, chaplains, and family members struggling to understand their loved one's painful mental health experiences.
Even so, the pastoral kindness in this book makes it well-worth the read, especially for pastors, chaplains, and family members struggling to understand their loved one's painful mental health experiences.
February 22, 2023
Don't take my three stars to mean this book isn't worth reading. I definitely think it is. This book argues that we as a society have to listen to people with mental health challenges (the author uses this phrase instead of 'mental illness') about their experiences because each person with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depressive disorder (these are the three major mental illnesses considered in this book) has their own unique experiences. And ultimately, by listening to people with mental health challenges, he suggests that this would help us break down our biases around mental illness. I, for one, completely agree. I've found that the more people I talk to with various mental illnesses at work in a hospital, the more I have realized that my own biases and beliefs about mental illness have been unfounded, and both these conversations and this book have challenged me to reflect on my biases in significant ways. The people I have talked with are very real people who have unconventional experiences (Swinton's phrase), but to them, their experiences are as real to them as any of my experiences are to me. To invalidate that is to diminish their humanity. Even if I do recognize that certain delusions are simply not based in an objective reality, that isn't really the point when I am talking with someone with mental illness.
I just probably would have enjoyed it more if it was written differently. I loved the idea of giving voice to people with mental health challenges, but I thought the book could have focused more on the interviewees than it did. This isn't to say that they didn't have a prominent voice in the book, but I just thought it could have been more. Also, I thought the organization of this book was a little off. For example, in the last chapter, titled 'Bipolar Disorder and the Nature of Suffering,' a large chunk of the chapter is dedicated to asking if demons cause mental illness. That's a fine discussion to be having, and I thought Swinton did a good job with it, but I just didn't see how it was relevant to the chapter. To me, it seemed like there was a need to put that discussion in somewhere, and the editors convinced themselves that this chapter was as good as any to put it.
All in all, I'd recommend this book to anyone wanting to learn more about mental illness, what some people's experience with mental illness is like, and how to engage people with mental illness in healthier and more helpful ways.
I just probably would have enjoyed it more if it was written differently. I loved the idea of giving voice to people with mental health challenges, but I thought the book could have focused more on the interviewees than it did. This isn't to say that they didn't have a prominent voice in the book, but I just thought it could have been more. Also, I thought the organization of this book was a little off. For example, in the last chapter, titled 'Bipolar Disorder and the Nature of Suffering,' a large chunk of the chapter is dedicated to asking if demons cause mental illness. That's a fine discussion to be having, and I thought Swinton did a good job with it, but I just didn't see how it was relevant to the chapter. To me, it seemed like there was a need to put that discussion in somewhere, and the editors convinced themselves that this chapter was as good as any to put it.
All in all, I'd recommend this book to anyone wanting to learn more about mental illness, what some people's experience with mental illness is like, and how to engage people with mental illness in healthier and more helpful ways.
January 29, 2024
Very encouraging and hopeful
July 12, 2024
Instead of allowing clinic diagnoses to dictate the direction of life and become one's destiny, John Swinton, a one-time mental health nurse and now Chair in Religious Studies and Divinity at the University of Aberdeen, encourages a different approach. Swinton's 2020 book, "Finding Jesus in the Storm: The Spiritual Lives of Christians with Mental Health Challenges" is geared toward giving people with serious mental health challenges (notice, not mental illness), and those who care for them, a more respectful and wholesome way of perceiving their situation. It's not an anti-psychiatry diatribe, though he does challenge assumptions. Rather, for example, he shows the pros and cons of allowing DSM V to narrow what we see and how we engage those living with these mental health challenges.
Since there are plenty of other reviews, I'll make this simple. Swinton's stated goals for the book are very clear, and run the entire volume. First, "to provide readers with rich, deep, and thick descriptions of the spiritual experiences of Christians living with mental health challenges" (2). He does this by weaving personal statements and narrations from many of those he has studied and worked with. The people he invites into the book are living with depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder, as well as other struggles. Further, the author's primary intention "is to facilitate faithful speech that moves us to faithful action" (5). Here I think he beautifully succeeds. By the time a reader has finished the work, they will have a greater sense that people with mental health challenges really are men and women who bear the image of God, even in the uniqueness of their mental health challenges. In the end, Swinton shows that people "living with mental health challenges, like all of us, just want to be understood, respected, and treated with love and kindness" (215).
I wasn't always satisfied with Swinton's theological trajectory in places, but overall I found the work refreshingly useful. Since, as a Christian pastor, I have found myself more engaged with people living through mental health challenges over the last few years, the author has given me a healthier way to view them, and ways that I can actually help them - even as a non-professional. As the writer helpfully put it, his focus "is not so much on eradicating or controlling pathology, but more on how people can live well with Jesus even in the midst of such [severe mental health challenges]" (43). Yes! How to aid them in living well with Jesus in their storm. I happily recommend the book.
Since there are plenty of other reviews, I'll make this simple. Swinton's stated goals for the book are very clear, and run the entire volume. First, "to provide readers with rich, deep, and thick descriptions of the spiritual experiences of Christians living with mental health challenges" (2). He does this by weaving personal statements and narrations from many of those he has studied and worked with. The people he invites into the book are living with depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder, as well as other struggles. Further, the author's primary intention "is to facilitate faithful speech that moves us to faithful action" (5). Here I think he beautifully succeeds. By the time a reader has finished the work, they will have a greater sense that people with mental health challenges really are men and women who bear the image of God, even in the uniqueness of their mental health challenges. In the end, Swinton shows that people "living with mental health challenges, like all of us, just want to be understood, respected, and treated with love and kindness" (215).
I wasn't always satisfied with Swinton's theological trajectory in places, but overall I found the work refreshingly useful. Since, as a Christian pastor, I have found myself more engaged with people living through mental health challenges over the last few years, the author has given me a healthier way to view them, and ways that I can actually help them - even as a non-professional. As the writer helpfully put it, his focus "is not so much on eradicating or controlling pathology, but more on how people can live well with Jesus even in the midst of such [severe mental health challenges]" (43). Yes! How to aid them in living well with Jesus in their storm. I happily recommend the book.
July 8, 2021
Well worth the read for anyone wondering how the church should respond to the complexities of mental illness. Swinton looks honestly at the reality of psychological distress and how faith can play a part in the lives of those who struggle without trying to find a shallow, catch-all response that spiritually minimizes their suffering. Great read!
May 3, 2025
The content of the book was well-researched, thoughtful, and in-touch with people's real experiences—this didn't feel like a read I had to plow through at all. John Swinton is definitely a knowledgeable, gentle and winsome writer! Excited to take his summer class at Regent.
January 8, 2025
Phenomenal read. While the book technically holds qualitative & phenomenological research, the writing style was easy. Swinton draws on his experiences with individuals, previous scholarship, and interviews to bring spirituality/theology and mental health challenges closer, buttoning them together with the lived experiences of Christian sufferers.
On depression, the concept on lamenting and antifeeling over sadness, foiled with joy over happiness, broadened the discussion beyond simple emotions to the complex, mysterious, intense points throughout Scripture on God's apparent absence and learning/remembrance of His work (often after the fact).
On suicide, the indispensable balancing of such tragedy/loss between never seeing it as a good by faithful eyes and nothing ever separating us from the love of Christ (Romans 8) explains how faltering one way may constitute a tragic outcome.
On schizophrenia/psychosis, the re-schematizing the diagnosis as a spectrum via diversity of experiences (like Autism) helps "thicken" each component (psychosis, hallucinations, delusions, etc.) in faithful dialogue. Exampling Jesus and MLK Jr., and noting the idolatry of intelligence/thought coherency, in addition to other cultures, to decouple the all-negative stereotyping of voice-hearing and epistemological injustices against schizophrenia was notably powerful. No one should be labeled as "insane" from a diagnostic label, and thus voice discredited nor heard.
On bipolar, general threads of this book in stigmatization as destructively "thin" descriptions, DSM being written by a pencil not pen and dictated by the context in which it lives, internalization such that one feel that they are a mental illness vs. having one, medication's effect on one's identity yet God's work through it, and military hermeneutics of mental health incurring patient casualties, are appreciated.
Finally, to contrast modern understanding of "health" with Biblical understandings, such as "shalom," to emphasize the false mutual exclusivity and incorrect prioritization between presence/absence of symptoms vs. Christ, in full, rich, and deep narratives served as an inviting model to look at health and wellness, is perhaps the most fruitful aspect of Swinton's writings that I take away.
On depression, the concept on lamenting and antifeeling over sadness, foiled with joy over happiness, broadened the discussion beyond simple emotions to the complex, mysterious, intense points throughout Scripture on God's apparent absence and learning/remembrance of His work (often after the fact).
On suicide, the indispensable balancing of such tragedy/loss between never seeing it as a good by faithful eyes and nothing ever separating us from the love of Christ (Romans 8) explains how faltering one way may constitute a tragic outcome.
On schizophrenia/psychosis, the re-schematizing the diagnosis as a spectrum via diversity of experiences (like Autism) helps "thicken" each component (psychosis, hallucinations, delusions, etc.) in faithful dialogue. Exampling Jesus and MLK Jr., and noting the idolatry of intelligence/thought coherency, in addition to other cultures, to decouple the all-negative stereotyping of voice-hearing and epistemological injustices against schizophrenia was notably powerful. No one should be labeled as "insane" from a diagnostic label, and thus voice discredited nor heard.
On bipolar, general threads of this book in stigmatization as destructively "thin" descriptions, DSM being written by a pencil not pen and dictated by the context in which it lives, internalization such that one feel that they are a mental illness vs. having one, medication's effect on one's identity yet God's work through it, and military hermeneutics of mental health incurring patient casualties, are appreciated.
Finally, to contrast modern understanding of "health" with Biblical understandings, such as "shalom," to emphasize the false mutual exclusivity and incorrect prioritization between presence/absence of symptoms vs. Christ, in full, rich, and deep narratives served as an inviting model to look at health and wellness, is perhaps the most fruitful aspect of Swinton's writings that I take away.
May 31, 2022
I've just finished reading Finding Jesus in the Storm by John Swinton.
I read this book as someone with lived experience of mental illness, as well as experience in general hospital chaplaincy and as a Christian.
I'd say that this book is a valuable resource for those ministering to people living with mental illness. However, whilst it contains valuable insights about the way those with mental illnesses are understood and related to, it is of lesser value to those living with these conditions. There are other books which do this far better.
Firstly, Swinton discusses how we describe mental illness, in particular major depression. He notes that descriptions of depression have been 'thinned' due to overuse, to the extent that the illness of major depression is now understated. This he concludes contributes to a thinning of spirituality itself. He suggest that we need to recover a phenomenological attitude towards mental illness which will help us to develop a 'thick' description of severe and enduring mental illness (SEMI). In the book, he suggests that this can best be done using four horizons - the horizon of the author; the horizon of Christians living with a SEMI; the horizon of mental health care; and finally the horizon of Scripture, Christian tradition, and reflection on the life of the church.
In Part II, the author looks at redescribing diagnosis, and the impact that the diagnostic process has on the individual. He uses and example of a diagnosis of bipolar disorder to show how diagnosis can lead to alienation then resignation.
He then goes on to help us redescribe depression, psychosis, and bipolar disorder, finally concluding the book by redescrbing what is meant by healing.
In Part III, Redescribing Depression, Swinton looks at the Christian categories of lament and joy, and how these relate to the experience of depression. He then lays out a three step process of finding God in the darkness - orientation, disorientation, and reorientation - and discusses how we can find God in God's absence.
The next part of the book focusses on psychosis, and in particular auditory hallucinations.
I read this book as someone with lived experience of mental illness, as well as experience in general hospital chaplaincy and as a Christian.
I'd say that this book is a valuable resource for those ministering to people living with mental illness. However, whilst it contains valuable insights about the way those with mental illnesses are understood and related to, it is of lesser value to those living with these conditions. There are other books which do this far better.
Firstly, Swinton discusses how we describe mental illness, in particular major depression. He notes that descriptions of depression have been 'thinned' due to overuse, to the extent that the illness of major depression is now understated. This he concludes contributes to a thinning of spirituality itself. He suggest that we need to recover a phenomenological attitude towards mental illness which will help us to develop a 'thick' description of severe and enduring mental illness (SEMI). In the book, he suggests that this can best be done using four horizons - the horizon of the author; the horizon of Christians living with a SEMI; the horizon of mental health care; and finally the horizon of Scripture, Christian tradition, and reflection on the life of the church.
In Part II, the author looks at redescribing diagnosis, and the impact that the diagnostic process has on the individual. He uses and example of a diagnosis of bipolar disorder to show how diagnosis can lead to alienation then resignation.
He then goes on to help us redescribe depression, psychosis, and bipolar disorder, finally concluding the book by redescrbing what is meant by healing.
In Part III, Redescribing Depression, Swinton looks at the Christian categories of lament and joy, and how these relate to the experience of depression. He then lays out a three step process of finding God in the darkness - orientation, disorientation, and reorientation - and discusses how we can find God in God's absence.
The next part of the book focusses on psychosis, and in particular auditory hallucinations.
August 2, 2021
If you only read one book on faith/mental health from a "lived experience" perspective, this should be it. Swinton reached out across a wide range of platforms (including the international Hearing Voices network) to find these stories of how mental health challenges live in dialogue with an individual's deeply held religious faith. This book will be especially (and rightly!) challenging to those who imagine that God always heals mental health problems, or that these problems result from lack of faith.
December 31, 2022
Read this in Swedish. Very astute and touching observations that showed me in better detail the lives of people with mental health challenges. Also very useful to consider these thoughts in times of personal struggle, even if you don't have these conditions. Some definitions felt fuzzy (what is the spiritual dimension/piece, in contrast to the biological and mental? How do we separate the spiritual dimension and observe it? Or whatever it's called in English. Million dollar question, so you can't fault him for that). I hope psychiatry continues to develop in this direction!
July 29, 2021
I think I underlined something on every page of this book.
For a wonderful and helpful introduction to its themes and thoughts: my coworker interviewed John Swinton back in the fall. You can find that conversation here!
For a wonderful and helpful introduction to its themes and thoughts: my coworker interviewed John Swinton back in the fall. You can find that conversation here!
January 30, 2023
This was a stretching but good book on mental health challenges. I'm not sure that I agreed with all of the author's conclusions but he challenged my thinking. This book is really about a reframing of how we should look at mental health challenges than it is about the spiritual lives. Definitely recommended for Christians looking to understand this important topic.
March 12, 2025
Swinton’s book opens the conversation for a Christian perspective on people with mental health challenges— how we can show up and be the church together, and how stigma and a lack of community have piled on the obstacles that folks have. He combines research with testimonies from real people to present a compelling case for compassion and inclusion.
September 4, 2025
Overall solid read. It's hard to summarize because it's very dense but I gained a lot of insight into various mental health challenges and learned more diverse ways of describing them. The varied cultural responses and descriptions and treatment options was very interesting too. The author could've touched deeper on the trauma of episodes and how it connects to spiritually more.
September 6, 2024
This book challenges the Church about how it treats those with mental health disorders. It is careful both in it's dealings with psychology and orthodoxy. This book offers a picture of moving forward in community with those ostracized for the challenges they face.
December 30, 2021
An incredible, immensely important book, breathing biblical wisdom.
Read
November 10, 2022Appreciated the authors work to honor the spiritual experiences of people with significant mental illness. His insight will help shape new ways to care for my brother.
Read
December 15, 2022A great read, really compassionate insight on how to walk alongside people facing mental health challenges especially in Christian communities
January 20, 2023
This was a good one. I really liked it. Highly, highly recommend for those with theological questions about mental health, particularly about severe and chronic mental health challenges.
August 1, 2025
There is a lot of great content in this book. I struggled with how it was presented. Many of the block quotes were not necessary.
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