PC137-812 - Theological Perspectives on Mental Health

  • 2,976 Standard Tuition Fee
  • 12
    Credit Points
  • 0.125 EFT 
  • 8
    AQF level
  • Category developing unit
    B
  • Pastoral & Church-Focussed Ministry Unit Discipline

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will

A. Know and understand

Demonstrate Advanced knowledge and understanding of biblical and theological principles relating to mental health, and differing Christian perspectives on mental health concerns.

B. Be able to

1. Critique Christian perspectives on mental health

2. Present Research-Aware evidence-based perspectives on mental health in a church or professional setting.

C. Be in a position to

Applying Advanced Functional perspectives and skills from their theological understanding of mental health to ministry or professional practice and contemporary Christian living as a reflective practitioner.

Content

1. Approaches to mental health throughout the history of the church
2. Theological anthropology and its implications for mental health
3. Sin, personal responsibility, and mental health
4. Cultural impacts upon theologies of mental health
5. The role of the demonic in mental health concerns
6. The impact and consequences of poorly conceived theologies of mental health
7. Mental health concerns and issues of suffering and theodicy
8. Theological implications for diagnosis and treatment of mental ill-health
9. Mental health and the church
10. Eschatology and hope in relation to mental health concerns

Set Readings

Cook, C. R, I. Hamley, The Bible and Mental Health: Towards a Biblical Theology of Mental Health. (SCM Press, 2020)

Emlet, M. R., Descriptions and Prescriptions: A Biblical Perspective on Psychiatric Diagnoses & Medications (Greensboro, NC: New Growth Press, 2017)

Grcevich, S., Mental Health and the Church: A Ministry Handbook for Including Children and Adults with ADHD, Anxiety, Mood Disorders, and Other Common Mental Health Conditions (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2018)

Greene-McCreight, K., Darkness is My Only Companion: A Christian Response to Mental Illness Rev. ed. (Grand Rapids, MI: Brazos Press, 2015)

McRay, B.W., M.A. Yarhouse & R.E. Butman, Modern Psychopathologies: A Comprehensive Christian Appraisal 2nd ed. (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2016)

Thorne, Helen and Steve Midgley, Mental Health and Your Church: A Handbook for Biblical Care (The Good Book Company, 2023).

Stanford, M.S., Grace for the Afflicted: A Clinical and Biblical Perspective on Mental Illness 2nd ed. (Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2017)

Swinton, J., Finding Jesus in the Storm: The Spiritual Lives of Christians with Mental Health Challenges. (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2020)

Thomas, A., Tackling Mental Illness Together: A Biblical & Practical Approach (London: IVP, 2017)

van Deusen Hunsinger, D., Bearing the Unbearable: Trauma, Gospel, and Pastoral Care (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2015)

Webb, M., Toward a Theology of Psychological Disorder (Eugene, OR: Cascade, 2017)

Welch, E., I Have a Psychiatric Diagnosis: What Does the Bible Say? (Greensboro, NC: New Growth Press, 2022)

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