Toward a Theology of Psychological Disorder

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 Webbs 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 Webbs exploration of human fragility and limitation is set in a context of grace and goodness within the story of Gods 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.