Psychotropic Medications: In Search of a Biblical Context

We generally do not engage others who are blogging as there is no end to the controversies in which we could involve ourselves. We also rarely post guest bloggers. Today we make an exception to both general policies to bring you an important article from our friend “Ab” Abercrombie.

In recent weeks, an article appearing on the Internet has caused great stir in the biblical counseling community, and in the Body of Christ at large. There has been much debate through the years regarding psychology, psychiatry, and medication, as they relate to and interface with biblical truth. This latest addition is no different except it advances opinion and position without biblical consideration.

The article “Listening to Prozac…and to the Scriptures: A Primer on Psychoactive Medications” is written by Dr. Michael Emlet (M.Div., M.D.), a faculty member of the Christian Counseling & Education Foundation (CCEF). As a medical doctor and theologian, Dr. Emlet should be considered an expert in this matter. However, a thorough review of the article reveals a position, which is unbiblical in its foundation.

The article begins with reference to two different case studies; one benefiting from medication; another showing no gain and feeling a conviction to live medication free. The author speaks to the conundrum of these diverse situations and suggests, rightfully, that medication has become commonplace in the Christian community and counselors must increase our knowledge of pharmacology. But Dr. Emlet also states “we need a biblically-based philosophy to guide the use or non-use of medications” (Emlet, p 1).

Amen…I thought. Then I read the rest of the article.   Continue at Abercrombie

Depression and Serotonin

If you have been a pastor for longer than one week, you have probably counseled someone who was taking medication for depression. This presents a consummate pastoral dilemma because pastors want to bring the Bible to bear on all of life, and at the same time, we didn’t go to medical school.

There is the reality that the help God gives us in the world comes in the form of special revelation (his Word has given us all things pertaining to life and godliness) and general revelation (medicine can really help you when you’re sick). 

Depression seems to have one foot in both worlds, and so it can offend secular psychologists when pastors take people to the gospel to bring joy, and it can rankle pastors when a person says that they are taking medication to find a way to cope with life.

And let me admit right away that the only medical knowledge I have comes from Wikipedia, I cheated in high school biology (I was caught and repented at conversion), and know nothing about the inner workings of the brain.

So I defer to the professionals when it comes to medical issues, and if a doctor says someone has a chemical imbalance that medicine can correct, I am certainly in no position to quibble.  Continue at Jesse Johnson