Is there anything misunderstood more by Christians today than depression specifically, and mental illness in general? Many believers who find themselves under the weight of a “stubborn darkness” of depression or struck by bouts of anxiety also feel a crushing sense of shame. “I shouldn’t feel this way if I really have Christ,” they think, and often this sense of shame is reinforced by well-meaning, but misinformed believers. And what about the topic of medication for depression and anxiety. Talk about a divisive and oft-misunderstood topic!
Professor and pastor David Murray tackles these subjects and more in his short, yet important book, Christians Get Depressed Too. This book is not a comprehensive guide to helping or counseling those with depression. Nor is it meant to be the go-to resource for a person struggling with depression. Instead, it serves as a primer—a launching pad of sorts—for believers to really understand and have compassion for those suffering from depression. Murray seeks to “demystify” depression by bring the scriptures and science together, along with a solid historical overview of the Church’s response to depression over the centuries. He accomplishes this goal beautifully.
There is so much that that is helpful in this short, readable book. First of all, Murray’s style is both scholarly and approachable. He shows from biblical examples and real-life stories the real, human aspect of those suffering with depression. His overview of the Church’s response to depression through the years is eye-opening, particularly his focus on Puritans Jonathan Edwards and Timothy Rogers, as well as famous preacher Charles Spurgeon. His reasoning for why the use of medication to treat depression is NOT unbiblical is both top-notch and timely.
The most important focus of Murray’s book, however, is regarding our response as believers to those who are struggling with depression. How do we help them? What does a “biblical response” look like? What should and shouldn’t we say and/or do? Murray’s assertion that not all depression is spiritual in origin may by controversial in some circles, but he gives a much-needed clarion call for all believers to acknowledge the complexity and delicacy of those struggling with depression in a world marred by sin. Christian leaders who find themselves in the role of helper to those struggling with depression need to read this book.
David Murray hails from the Highlands of Scotland, and his accent can be a little tough to follow sometimes as he narrates the audiobook version of his book. However, he does a fine job of narration, and I’m glad he chose to read his own work for the audiobook.
Please Note: This audiobook was gifted as a part of the Christianaudio Reviewers Program in exchange for my unbiased review of this work. This has in no way influenced my opinion or review of this work. More information can be found about this and other Christian audiobooks at christianaudio.com.