Addictions: A Banquet in the Grave

Addictions: A Banquet in the Grave is the title of a book by Edward T. Welch. It was published in 2001 by Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing. I plan to finish the last chapter today. I have found the book to be very beneficial for me personally and for the purpose of helping others.

Welch, who teaches at the Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation in Glenside, PA and at Westminster Seminary, does an excellent job of showing the weaknesses of secular models of addiction (though he does not see them as completely wrong or totally worthless). He then explains the process by which men fall into addictions in biblical terms and explains how faith in Jesus Christ enables one to recognize addictions in themself and conquer them.

Just to whet your appetite, let me give you a summary of the biblical analogies set forth in scripture to describe addiction. Welch details these in chapter three of the book. Addiction is often symbolized by idolatery, adultery, foolishness, being attacked by a beast, and disease or illness.

The book is full of charts which help clarify Welch's words. Also, at the end of each chapter, there are two sets of questions. The first is directed to the reader and the addictions with which he may be struggling (And this book will probably expose addictive tencencies in anyone who reads it). The second is directed to another who is struggling with addictions whom the reader is assisting.

For anyone struggling with an addiction or for anyone who knows someone who is and wants to learn a biblical approach for helping them, this is an excellent book.