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hypothetically--how would salvation work in someone with multiple personalities?

Reynolds

Well-Known Member
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Depends on how you define "sound mind". Mental illness, aside from some cases like dementia, isn't someone losing their mind or losing the ability to reason. If that's the definition of an unsound mind, then the overwhelming majority of mentally ill people most definitely have sound minds, even if their illness is severe. Even people with illnesses that affect their ability to tell reality from what's in their heads, such as schizophrenia, would for the most part fall under having a "sound mind". People with DID are also able to reason and function.

If you consider being severely depressed, severely anxious, or living with some form of psychosis, paranoia, or delusions to make one's mind "unsound", then that brings up more questions than answers regarding where the line lies.

(OCD is considered a type of anxiety disorder)

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What does the Bible say about anxiety (fear) and where it comes from?
 

evenifigoalone

Well-Known Member
I know a lot about it. My uncle and my first cousin, both next door neighbors, were/are schitzophrinic/ bi- polar, multi personality disorder. I have followed their medical treatment for over 40 years.
How did Jesus handle multiple personality disorder? He cured it by casting out devils!
It's not that I don't believe demonic possession doesn't exist, but I don't believe what the man in the scriptures dealt with was DID proper. It only sounds somewhat similar.

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Reynolds

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Not playing this game today

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Not a game.
I used to suffer from depression and anxiety. I used to suffer greatly from it. I realized I can treat it with medication. I later realized the cause of my depression and anxiety was in the spiritual realm. (Long story) I have not taken any meds for years.
 
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agedman

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Demonic oppression to possession is just a matter of degrees of control. The whole world is under the sway of Satan, so the entire world is oppressed by the devil.

1 John 5:19
We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.

Stealing, killing, destroying, lying, ruining people's lives is what Satan likes to do.
I’m not certain that degrees of control works.

The redeemed may and are oppressed. That influence may be strong or weak, but ultimately I question if the redeemed may be “controlled” by the demonic.

Perhaps they can.

As I recall Paul did tell the assembly to turn one over so that 5he flesh would be destroyed.

I just am uncomfortable on the ability of darkness to control.
 

evenifigoalone

Well-Known Member
II Tim 1:7
I already stated that I do not wish to debate this today, and why. Also, I'm at work, so I don't have the time anyway.
If you found relief, great. In my case I lived with an addiction and severe depression and assumed from the get go that it was all a spiritual issue. I found relief when I stopped blaming myself and realized it was a result of having an imperfect body.

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Scarlett O.

Moderator
Moderator
You aren't going to like my answer. 2 Timothy 1:7

No, I don't like that answer.

Because "sound mind" in this context does not mean "without a mental illness".

The context is......God, through Paul, is teaching Timothy to be a bold pastor. That he should "stir up" the gift that God gave him when Paul laid hands on Timothy. And that God has given us three things. I believe those three things are in this context of what Paul is saying.

In evangelism, pastoring, shepherding, leading.....etc., we have -
  • no fear
  • love
  • a sound mind
A sound mind in the Greek is "sōphronismos" - meaning "a self-controlled mind". One that does not fall into fear and away from love. This Greek word for "sound" is found only once and it's in this verse. There are many other English wordings of sound in the Bible, but they don't mean what this one does.

To claim that this verse says that Christians will not have mental issues and illness is dead wrong. Sorry.
 

agedman

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Mental illnesses such as clinical depression and clinical anxiety are more often than not brain issues.

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I disagree, but I know it's pointless to argue. Your argument isn't with me, anyway. The question was "...how would salvation work in someone with multiple personalities? " I've given my answer from the Scriptures, which are what we are given to make one wise unto salvation through faith.

I see both sides (if there really are sides) to this.

Folks with physically Illnesses, such as MS and auto-immune, can have severe anxiety and depression episodes as well soldiers in battle.

Manic/depressive folks struggle with maintaining social acceptability and employment.

Exercise may or may not benefit. Endorphins are released in stress, physical activity, reactions to stimulation, and many other sources. These do not provide a cure, but can aid in coping.

One of the greatest errors (imo) the medical community adopted was an early rejection of Redemption upon the human psyche. There was so much anti religion and back lash of mockery from both “camps” the truth was often lost to nay-saying.

From the beginning, there was hostility between the two and even to this day a rejection of one or the other.

It would be wonderful to have Redemption and Scriptures be the cure for all things mental. But that just isn’t truthful. Neither is much of the psycho/pharmical offerings.

I would speculate (opinionate) that Paul (as a result of the multiple stoning) had some brain impairment not of cognitive skills, but perhaps psychological, epileptic, twitches.. . Something that he referred to as that thorn in the flesh, that messenger from Satan.

Has anyone ever met someone who is mentally afflicted and are puffed up?
 

agedman

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
What does the Bible say about anxiety (fear) and where it comes from?
“When I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil...”

It doesn’t say one does not ever fear, or that all fear is from the devil.

Isaiah speaks of his own fear at seeking coming destruction:
3For this reason my loins are full of anguish;
Pains have seized me like the pains of a woman in labor.
I am so bewildered I cannot hear, so terrified I cannot see.

4My mind reels, horror overwhelms me;
The twilight I longed for has been turned for me into trembling.​

What the Scriptures provide is a welcome overcoming, coping mechanism, not cure for fear and anxiety. These are necessary and healthy for all the animal kingdom for survival. However just as anything effecting the human, there can be issues that need helps.
 

Reynolds

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
I already stated that I do not wish to debate this today, and why. Also, I'm at work, so I don't have the time anyway.
If you found relief, great. In my case I lived with an addiction and severe depression and assumed from the get go that it was all a spiritual issue. I found relief when I stopped blaming myself and realized it was a result of having an imperfect body.

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Medication can mask a spiritual batttle.
 

Reynolds

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
“When I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil...”

It doesn’t say one does not ever fear, or that all fear is from the devil.

Isaiah speaks of his own fear at seeking coming destruction:
3For this reason my loins are full of anguish;
Pains have seized me like the pains of a woman in labor.
I am so bewildered I cannot hear, so terrified I cannot see.

4My mind reels, horror overwhelms me;
The twilight I longed for has been turned for me into trembling.​

What the Scriptures provide is a welcome overcoming, coping mechanism, not cure for fear and anxiety. These are necessary and healthy for all the animal kingdom for survival. However just as anything effecting the human, there can be issues that need helps.
2 Tim 1:7
 

Shoostie

Active Member
I'm kind of doubtful that insanity is real. Someone and his shrink might believe he has multiple personalities, but I believe he only has one. He has created imaginary people in his head, but there's only one real person. He might attribute his thoughts to those imaginary people, as voices, but they're still his thoughts.
 

agedman

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Medication can mask a spiritual batttle.
I agree in part, yet I think Paul mentions that the real spiritual battle takes place in the heavenly places.

I’m reminded of the blind prophet being lead outside by the servant. The king’s army had surrounded them. Yet, there were ,ore on the side of the two then all the king’s men.

Medication can be a help, and, when used correctly, provides what is needed.

A deception of the enemy of Grace comes in two lies. One, all problems are spiritual. Two, all problems are medical.

Sometimes, it is both.
 

agedman

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
I'm kind of doubtful that insanity is real. Someone and his shrink might believe he has multiple personalities, but I believe he only has one. He has created imaginary people in his head, but there's only one real person. He might attribute his thoughts to those imaginary people, as voices, but they're still his thoughts.

I am glad you at least doubt, and do not declare insanity is unreal.

Dissociative Identity Disorder is a phenomena that is most assuredly real.

In the most severe it manifests as totally unique personalities. But again this is very rare. Imo, no single professional should make such a diagnosis, but it be a team review.

It is also noteworthy that there are related manifestations seen more regularly.

We think of PTSD in terms of slight to overwhelming.

Try dealing with these mental issues? https://www.google.com/search?q=vid...tims&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari

I suppose the hardest time keeping my mouth shut was when on staff of a church long, long ago, and the pastor pounding and shouting frothed that all mental illness was in the head.

I so badly wanted to shout “amen!”

Heard some really ignorant presentations in my day.

Admittedly made some, still do!
 

agedman

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
2 Tim 1:7
Not certain this passage supports what you desire.

I don’t see “fear” presented. Did I miss it? Perhaps it is a different definition needed?

5For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well. 6For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.

8Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, 9who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, 10but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher.​
 

evenifigoalone

Well-Known Member
I see both sides (if there really are sides) to this.

Folks with physically Illnesses, such as MS and auto-immune, can have severe anxiety and depression episodes as well soldiers in battle.

Manic/depressive folks struggle with maintaining social acceptability and employment.

Exercise may or may not benefit. Endorphins are released in stress, physical activity, reactions to stimulation, and many other sources. These do not provide a cure, but can aid in coping.

One of the greatest errors (imo) the medical community adopted was an early rejection of Redemption upon the human psyche. There was so much anti religion and back lash of mockery from both “camps” the truth was often lost to nay-saying.

From the beginning, there was hostility between the two and even to this day a rejection of one or the other.

It would be wonderful to have Redemption and Scriptures be the cure for all things mental. But that just isn’t truthful. Neither is much of the psycho/pharmical offerings.

I would speculate (opinionate) that Paul (as a result of the multiple stoning) had some brain impairment not of cognitive skills, but perhaps psychological, epileptic, twitches.. . Something that he referred to as that thorn in the flesh, that messenger from Satan.

Has anyone ever met someone who is mentally afflicted and are puffed up?
Even physical illnesses are indicated in scripture as sometimes being a spiritual issue (when it states that some were weak and sickly due to taking communion while unworthy). I don't believe it always is. I think it's the same with mental illness. Our bodies and brains are complex and there is much that can go wrong with them.

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