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Depression and Suicide

Yeshua1

Well-Known Member
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Then I would agree with you. Certain conditions require the treatment of medications given by a psychiatrist. However I am against so called Christian Counseling. What is needed for certain conditions is Biblical counseling, however Biblical Counseling addresses sin problems and takes the counselee to the scriptures where he can get healed. This is the type of counseling that Mac encourages and he recommends materials by Jay Adams. I am not a counselor, I am an Evangelist so I am not the expert in Biblical counseling. But as I said Jay Adams has plenty of books.

Christian Counselors try and combine the Bible with Freudian wisdom and this does not work. For more info on why this practice is dangerous get the book "Our Sufficiency in Christ" by Macarthur.
Biblical counseling would be applying the truths of the Bible towards mental illness/stress/anxiety et all,and there are christian counselors that also do just that, and do believe need to be wary of those adding into the mix Freus or any other secular "expert". You are not advocating though just have enough faith and will have no more mental issues?
 

FollowTheWay

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Well Freudian was one example, and I think another is skinner. The book the Christian Counselors Manual by Jay E. Adams lists several secular approaches that are anti Biblical. My point is that I believe all Christian Counseling to be unbiblical but all Biblical Counseling to be Biblical. Counseling must be rooted in scripture as scripture is the authority. Christian counselors often will combine scripture with secular wisdom and therefore are not biblical, while Biblical counselors rely solely on scripture.

"One example of RBT is this. If you find yourself repeating subconsciously negative thoughts the best thing to do is to write them down, recognize how nonsensical they are and write down why they aren't real and why. "

If you find yourself continually having negative thoughts, the best thing to do is to give it to prayer, start memorizing scripture, and also filling yourself with the word of God. Also some good christian books will help as well.


John
Do you say the same thing about a heart attack? Have you ever experienced clinical depression?
 

evangelist6589

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Do you say the same thing about a heart attack? Have you ever experienced clinical depression?

A heart attack is another matter. And yes I take meds that help treat my own depression. But besides the physical component, everything else is in the head. The best way to defeat the depression is via the scriptures.
 

Don

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
A heart attack is another matter. And yes I take meds that help treat my own depression. But besides the physical component, everything else is in the head. The best way to defeat the depression is via the scriptures.
Do you believe that different people have different gifts?
 

FollowTheWay

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
A heart attack is another matter. And yes I take meds that help treat my own depression. But besides the physical component, everything else is in the head. The best way to defeat the depression is via the scriptures.
From my own experience I would argue that a combination of valid psychological counseling and Bible study is effective. But you can't ignore the physical component. Many conservative Christians do. That's what the deacon I mentioned was doing when he stated that depression is ALL due to demon possession. In fact, there's a major interaction between the mind and the body in terms of wellness. There's also a strong connection between physical health in general and faith/prayer. In fact as I'm sure you know, one of the earliest heresies to confront the early church came from Gnosticism. This Greek view from Plato supported dualism which taught that the mind and body are separate.
 

evangelist6589

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
From my own experience I would argue that a combination of valid psychological counseling and Bible study is effective. But you can't ignore the physical component. Many conservative Christians do. That's what the deacon I mentioned was doing when he stated that depression is ALL due to demon possession. In fact, there's a major interaction between the mind and the body in terms of wellness. There's also a strong connection between physical health in general and faith/prayer. In fact as I'm sure you know, one of the earliest heresies to confront the early church came from Gnosticism. This Greek view from Plato supported dualism which taught that the mind and body are separate.

Well I definitely do not think that depression = demon possession.
 

FollowTheWay

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Well I definitely do not think that depression = demon possession.
Those that have experienced it have a better insight intro the illness. There's still a stigma attached to depression in many people's eyes. In fact, it's considered a "pre-existing" condition by insurance companies. They interpret that in different ways, some applying that to those who have been hospitalized, some to those who have taken medication, some to those who have merely seen a psychiatrist. If Obamacare is overturned and not replaced by something that is equally as good or better that's a big problem for anyone seeking new insurance even if they're just changing jobs.
 

evangelist6589

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Those that have experienced it have a better insight intro the illness. There's still a stigma attached to depression in many people's eyes. In fact, it's considered a "pre-existing" condition by insurance companies. They interpret that in different ways, some applying that to those who have been hospitalized, some to those who have taken medication, some to those who have merely seen a psychiatrist. If Obamacare is overturned and not replaced by something that is equally as good or better that's a big problem for anyone seeking new insurance even if they're just changing jobs.

Obama Care needs to go no doubt. I hope Donald replaces it with something better.
 

evangelist6589

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Those that have experienced it have a better insight intro the illness. There's still a stigma attached to depression in many people's eyes. In fact, it's considered a "pre-existing" condition by insurance companies. They interpret that in different ways, some applying that to those who have been hospitalized, some to those who have taken medication, some to those who have merely seen a psychiatrist. If Obamacare is overturned and not replaced by something that is equally as good or better that's a big problem for anyone seeking new insurance even if they're just changing jobs.

Can a Christian hear voices?
 

FollowTheWay

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
That's Biblical. Paul heard the voice of Jesus on the Damascus Road (Acts 9). Of course, God may not be the source. That's what happens to schizophrenics. I've never heard voices but have received unmistakable signs from God. For one, when leaving the hospital after my aortic aneurysm operation, I was sitting in a car and "saw" the tail feathers of a peacock flip back and forth before my eyes. It wasn't until 12 years later I learned that the fish was not the only sign adopted by early Christians. A peacock was another. I then interpreted the sign was God telling me everything was going to be all right. I have 3-4 other examples of this kind of message.
 

evangelist6589

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
That's Biblical. Paul heard the voice of Jesus on the Damascus Road (Acts 9). Of course, God may not be the source. That's what happens to schizophrenics. I've never heard voices but have received unmistakable signs from God. For one, when leaving the hospital after my aortic aneurysm operation, I was sitting in a car and "saw" the tail feathers of a peacock flip back and forth before my eyes. It wasn't until 12 years later I learned that the fish was not the only sign adopted by early Christians. A peacock was another. I then interpreted the sign was God telling me everything was going to be all right. I have 3-4 other examples of this kind of message.

Are you a charismatic?
 

blessedwife318

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
A heart attack is another matter. And yes I take meds that help treat my own depression. But besides the physical component, everything else is in the head. The best way to defeat the depression is via the scriptures.
Bold Mine
So your ok with going to a psychiatrist yourself to get meds but object to anyone else getting professional physiological help with their issues.
 
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