Toward a Theology of Psychological Disorder

by Marcia Webb, John Swinton (Foreword by)

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781498202114
Publisher:	Cascade Books
Publication date:	08/15/2017
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	208
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

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

Table of Contents

Foreword John Swinton ix

Acknowledgments xiii

Preface xv

Part I The Current Dilemma Regarding Psychological Disorder in Christian Culture

1 Introduction to the Dilemma 3

2 Negative Lay Theologies of Psychological Disorder 8

3 Evaluation of Negative Lay Theologies: Introductory Comments 23

4 Is Psychological Distress (or Disorder) a Demonstration of Lack of Faith? 27

5 Is Psychological Distress (or Disorder) Evidence of Selfishness? 35

6 Does Personal Sin Cause Psychological Distress (or Disorder)? 43

7 Is Psychological Distress (or Disorder) Due to Demonic Influence? 53

8 The Historical and Cultural Context: Theological Traditions in the West 68

9 The Historical and Cultural Context: The United States 82

Part II Toward a Theology of Psychological Disorder

10 Introduction to Theological Themes Regarding Psychological Disorder 95

11 Power in Weakness 100

12 Freedom in Finitude: The Contribution of Time 110

13 Complexity in Disorder: Fearfully and Wonderfully Made 121

14 The Stranger in Our Midst: Christ as Immanuel 133

15 A Theology of Psychological Disorder and the Passible God 144

Bibliography 151

Index 165

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“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

Editorial Reviews

"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

From the Publisher