Grace for the Afflicted: A Clinical and Biblical Perspective on Mental Illness

Persons who suffer from mental illness dare not reveal it in most conservative Christian churches. They simply don't feel accepted or supported. Dr. Stanford's writing is a breath of fresh air for them. I am passing my copy on to my pastor. I would recommend it to any Christian who cares about people. It is written from a Biblical/bio/psychological/social model. The problem tends to arise because if someone is say, depressed, it is often blamed on not being close to Christ, unconfessed sin, etc. What is forgotten is the brain is a highly complex organ, subject to the fall out of the fall, as are the rest of our organs, and all of creation, for that matter. There's a lot that can go wrong. It's amazing that any of us are 'normal'. This book is not a comprehensive text, but hopefully will help us to treat our wounded much more compassionately and in a humble and informed matter. I would think that most who suffer want to be accepted and not immediately judged. The stigma attached to mental illness is sky high in the church. That is the opposite response that Christ calls us to.

Grace. Needed by so many people who suffer with mental illnesses. Experienced by so few. If you are looking for a book that represents a sensible and realistic approach to mental illness, this is the book for you. The author sets the stage by explaining why people suffer through mental illness and what that suffering can and does look like. He doesn't shy away from the difficult parts of mental illness- for the person suffering, the family, and the community that could, but often doesn't, help them. I loved how he incorporates biblical truth with science and medicine. I feel like the Christian community does not understand mental illness and does not want to wrestle with the subject. Yes, it is a difficult topic, but with so many suffering from illnesses in silence, Christians aught to be on the forefront of the fight- armed with knowledge and compassion. I don't have a mental illness, but as a wife of someone with a mental illness and a Christian looking for insight and guidance, this book was filled with the wisdom I was looking for. God is our Healer, but he has used many different tools to treat illness. My hope for people reading this book is that they come way from it putting into practice a life of grace for those who are suffering.

I am a Christian who has suffered from melancholic depression, anxiety, and panic disorder. If you or you know someone who is suffering from mental trama, this book will be a big help and supply hope for those in need. The author is a neurologist and discusses both the physiological and psychological aspect of mental and emotional affliction. I suffered this over 20 years ago and went thru shock therapy and was on about 20 different meds at one time. There is hope, but you need to know where to look and this is a good start. He has written two books and both are excellent.

Grace for the Afflicted is a valuable resource for anyone wanting to learn how biblical truth and modern science work together to help people afflicted with mental illness. This book ought to be mandatory reading in seminaries.Matthew Stanford, Ph.D. is professor of psychology, neuroscience and biomedical studies at Baylor University. Professionally he has worked with a variety of mentally ill and brain injured individuals. In his book, Grace for the Afflicted, he combines his expertise in studying the brain and mental disorders with a sound Christian theology to provide a very detailed explanation of mental illness.He begins with a detailed look at theology, including Original Sin, God’s grace, and specific issues pertaining to mental illness in the Bible. Dr. Stanford’s basic premise is that mental illness can cause sinful behavior, but being sick is not a sin.He presents biblical and medical arguments for why many of the Christian myths and misbeliefs about mental illness are simply not true. One of the most harmful myths held by Christians is that mental illness doesn’t exist because there is not scientific medical test to prove it’s existence. (How about proving the existence of God, while you’re at it, folks?) Dr. Stanford writes:“Mental disorders and traditional medical diseases are diagnosed in a very similar manner, using a set of scientifically derived symptoms or criteria. Blood tests and brain scans are often used to rule out potential causes of the mental illness (e.g., infection, brain tumor, epilepsy). Psychiatry and psychology aren’t voodoo; they are science. And science insists on verifiable data.”He spends the largest portion of the book detailing each category of mental illness from a medical perspective. Then he applies specific biblical principles to help someone with that disorder. He also speaks to family, friends, and caregivers about how to help someone with that disorder.

This is the best book I read , I was diagnosed with schizophrenia and I was so desperate to know about this disease so one psycho therapy recommended it to me . I was so amazed how it teaches you in details about mental illness connecting with the Bible that had mental illness which I never new , as a Christian it makes a lot of sense and makes you to trust God more as you have those illness . And the second one is there are some stories how people deal with those sickness and get over it and deal with their daily activity like job , school , family ..... it’s just so Amazing it gives you hope and to keep pressing. I want to tell you I get better all those small voices are gone and I am not feeling that some one is following me when I go out side like driving or walking , this is with medication and prayer and reading a lot of books like this . So never give up mental illness doesn’t go right away but trust me it gets better little by little as you go knowing about the illness and our mind . You are not alone God is always good even at our lowest bottom rock. HE IS ABLE 🙏

I'm a Christian working in Mental Health and was looking for a biblical perspective on mental illness and this book does this brilliantly. It's written with clear biblical and scientific knowledge and carries a good balance and practical tips throughout. It's a much needed book and really important to have this logical and caring perspective out there.

Brilliant! Provides answers to questions many seek answers to, also provides some great advice for those struggling and those who know someone is struggling, strongly recommend.