There is a list concerning church trauma I am often asked about. Is it true, how should I respond, etc.? The list is antagonistic towards churches in a way that is both unhelpful and hypocritical. Rather than take on the list as a whole, I will be giving a response to each section. The biggest contention I have with the list is not that trauma doesn’t exist, but that the list is often a straw man argument or cover for one’s immaturity. Church is messy and a reflection of all the people in it. The format will be rating, the list in question, and my response.

The synopsis: Fair but overstated point

The section on mental health has a good point, but it is overstated. We need to live with a victorious mindset, understand that God’s gifting is vast, and we must seek wisdom as the Bible instructs. This is not to say all therapists are good, there is good and ill in all fields. The relationship between church and therapy is diverse and vast. Over all, I am fan of seeking therapy.

The List: Mental Health Abuse

• Told you need to be delivered from your addiction/mental illness
• Instructed to pray/fast/read scripture when you need professional help
• Dismiss your emotions because “God is in control”
• Saying therapy is not of god because it means you think God’s not capable to heal you

The Response: We need therapists

This list raises some legitimate issues in many churches. Church actions and opinions in this are is quite diverse. There are churches who are anti-therapy to a fault. At the same time there are churches who believe the Bible cannot relate to all issues and adopt pop psychology to a fault. There is clearly overlap between mental health and spiritual health. The Bible is way more impactful than people give credit, and therapy is a critical need as well, much more than conservative leaning churches would acknowledge.

The gift of wisdom is not the gift of pastoring. They are distinct gifts listed. There is overlap, but there are differences. For example, the Bible gives instruction on taking care of one’s health or managing stress, but it does not give instruction on how to do heart surgery. Going to a cardiologist is not saying I don’t believe in the Bible. Becoming a cardiologist is part of the command to have dominion over creation in Genesis 1&2. God intends for us to explore, understand, and steward creation. Mental health therapy fits into this.

Deliverance is is a broad term. Often that is needed with antagonistic lists for their punch to stick. Yes, people need to be delivered. Living with a victim or validation mindset is not helpful. A good therapist would agree. In discussions with numerous therapists, spiritual disciplines are often what is prescribed to help cope with struggles. The data on prayer, silence, practicing gratitude is clear that it helps. Will it heal and solve the issue, depends. If one is just sad, it may be all they need. Will practicing a healthy spiritual life help, even when therapy is needed? Absolutely! There is overlap between the emotional and spiritual.

I often recommend people see a therapist. You need to find a therapist you can trust and open up to. My preference is a therapist who is both wise and loves Jesus. I have met with therapists who did not have a relationship with Jesus, but they were wise and helpful. The Bible tells us to seek wisdom. All truth is God’s truth. After connection and wisdom, look for one who will focus on developing a victorious mindset. A clarifying question is to ask them how they graduate people out of therapy. When people are nervous about seeing a therapist, I offer to go with them to help in that process.

Of all the lists, this one carries the largest punch. There are massive problems with mental health therapy given its dominance by one political persuasion. That polarization is not helpful and makes finding a good therapist challenging. There are bad therapists out there, and some aspects are not biblical. But there are bad cooks out there too, and some foods I should not eat, but I still go out to eat from time to time. A therapist who loves Jesus is likely gifted with wisdom. That is part of the body of Christ. I am a fan of therapy because we need to live with a victorious mindset. Proverbs says:

    The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.

Proverbs 12:15

    Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.

Proverbs 15:22