This topic is so important, and I hope many Christians and pastors read this book and apply what they learn. It is sad that the stigma around mental illness is worse inside the church, when that should be the very place we find hope and help. This book was informative and kind.

First sentence from the introduction: What do you think when you hear one of these words: "depression," "anxiety," "bipolar disorder," "schizophrenia," "eating disorder," "obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)," and so on? You probably try not to think about them, and hope you never have to. But with one in five American adults suffering mental illness at some point in their lives, sooner or later someone we love in our family, among our friends, or at church will bring one of these scary labels to life in our lives.

The book is a question and answer format. It can be read cover to cover. But it does not have to be read cover to cover. It can be read like a traditional book--one and done. Or it can be used as a reference book, one that you return to over and over again.

There are two authors--David Murray and Tom Karel. Most of the answers are just straightforward (objective) answers. But after each question, the authors take turns sharing stories. These are clearly identified as Tom's story or David's story.

Some of the questions relate and flow into one another. Others do not.

Who is the book for? I'm not exactly sure it is written directly to those who have mental illness. A few questions, perhaps, could be useful and beneficial to those who are experiencing and struggling with a mental illness. But mostly this is one for caregivers, pastors, elders, counselors and therapists, family members and friends. It is written for Christians by Christians.

What is the purpose? This is stated directly at the end of the book--though to be fair, probably at the beginning as well. "...to help the reader understand how the broken brain does not work, to set the broken brain in context of the gospel, and to discover how the church can bring comfort to the mentally ill and their families."

I found the first few chapters the most helpful. In particular chapters three through six. "What are the different kinds of mental illness?" "How Is Mental Illness Different From Ordinary Sadness, Anxiety, and Confusion?" "How Does Mental Illness Affect the Sufferer? and "How Does Mental Illness Affect Spiritual Life?" Of course, those weren't the only helpful chapters.


Quotes:
God is sovereign over mental illness, and he rules over it to produce good for those who love God, both sufferers and caregivers. He can take what seems like the worst garbage in our lives and turn it into something good and useful.

Talking about mental illness can be difficult among believers. There are vast differences in thought about how to help those who are suffering and there are never simple solutions. This guide is full of compassion, kindness, and practical helps. It is also solidly based on Scripture. Those who suffer must take responsibility, but they also need help and patience during dark days. There were many times I teared up while reading as I know this pain and confusion, along with friends who have known the frustration and grief of loving sufferers. I hope many churches find this beginning primer helpful in caring for those with mental illness and their families.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This book is comprehensive, necessary, and can be transformational. Growing up, I heard Christians (even prominent speakers and teachers in the church) say that diagnoses like clinical depression were an invention of the modern era. The book was written to help the church respond more "sympathetically and helpfully" to those who need help and treatment. The authors certainly accomplished their purpose in clearing up misinformation and prejudices with "truth, facts, and clarity." This is a resource I hope gets taught in many seminaries and church groups.

Mixed feelings on this. On the one hand, it's a needed topic that is not very often covered by knowledgeable Christian authors, so I really loved how the authors sought to fill a gap in Christian literature by writing on mental illness from a Christian perspective.

There were many helpful definitions and symptom lists for those unfamiliar with various common mental illnesses, and they also thoroughly discussed the need for distinction between spiritual, emotional, and physical maladies. Too often Christians tend to lump all into the former without regard to the two latter.

However, I found it pretty severely lacking in Scriptural support beyond a few scattered verses and an overall Christian worldview approach. I would have appreciated them using biblical terms for things more often rather than consistently using psychology terms fairly unilaterally. I also would have loved more discussion of the authors' personal expertise and experience (building my trust as a reader a little more,) and some spiritual guidance for loved ones or even those suffering who are looking for hope.

Overall, it read like a decent Christian psychologist approach to mental illness as a helpful starting place or basic reference, but fell flat in offering meaningful support, solutions, or biblical and medical guidance.

In "A Christian's Guide to Mental Illness," Pastor Murray and psychologist Karel collaborate to offer an overview of mental illness that blends empathy with a distinct Christian perspective. The book aims to provide guidance to caregivers, exploring the causes, effects, and treatment options for mental health challenges. However, the authors' approach veers between compassion and a strict Christian worldview, leading to a mixed and occasionally troubling reading experience.

The authors begin by distinguishing mental health issues from regular feelings of sadness, anxiety, and confusion. They address the wide-ranging impact of these issues on not only the individual but also on friends, family, and colleagues. They go on to discuss the implications for one's spiritual life, suggesting that mental health struggles can interfere with religious practices like prayer and Bible reading.

One of the strengths of the book lies in its consideration of various treatment options. The authors delve into therapies and inpatient programs, advocating for a balanced approach that doesn't rush into medication. They emphasize the potential for spiritual growth arising from affliction, suggesting that solely relying on medications might hinder this aspect of personal development.

While the book offers thoughtful advice in places, it occasionally falters in its approach. The authors propose the idea that mental illness could be a consequence of an individual's sins, a viewpoint that some readers might find problematic or overly simplistic. Additionally, their recommendation to turn to biblical counselors without medical training raises concerns about providing appropriate care for those dealing with mental health challenges.

The book oscillates between compassion and a conservative Christian outlook, which may leave readers feeling conflicted. On one hand, there are considerate suggestions for creating awareness about mental health and ensuring caregivers receive necessary support. On the other, there are passages that could be potentially distressing, such as attributing mental illness to personal sins.

In conclusion, "A Christian's Guide to Mental Illness" strives to provide insights into mental health issues while navigating a Christian perspective. The authors' intentions are evident in their attempt to offer guidance to caregivers dealing with mental health challenges. However, the book's fluctuation between compassion and a strict worldview can be unsettling for readers. While some portions provide valuable insights, others might raise concerns due to their potentially problematic nature. It's important for readers to approach this book with caution, being aware of its mixed approach to addressing mental health and its associated complexities.

This is a very helpful book. It looks at psychology through the lens of a strong biblical worldview. It is really helpful for people struggling with mental illness and for people trying to live with or minister to people with mental illness. It addresses the concern that mental illness might be a cop-op or just some modern mumbo jumbo and while being deeply rooted in the Bible.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-ARC. Whilst I appreciated what this book was trying to achieve there were several problematic parts. Firstly, I found the authors decision to effectively ‘diagnose’ ancient biblical characters with psychiatric disorders difficult to reconcile with - whilst naming the emotions is helpful I personally felt the diagnoses went too far - for example diagnosing David’s feelings - scripture cannot and does not tell us he had a mental illness, just what he was struggling with. Secondly, in the section about hurdles in recovery, there was a condemnatory tone which failed to recognise that many of the barriers are societal, not personal choice (such as getting professional help).
So whilst I liked the premise of the book and there was some helpful advice, overall the tone and, in particular the two examples above mean I cannot recommend it.