[featured artwork depicts King Saul trying to kill David, his musician]
Since the advent of philosopher-physicians in ancient times, man has had millennia to develop his manuals of medical disorders. Rene Descartes, a philosopher and mathematician of the 17th century, created the paradigm of mind/body duality, and this ideology has infiltrated every modern discipline of behavioral and physical science. Behavioral problems are now understood by the masses to fall under the domain of medical disease, known as ‘mental illness’; and their cause is attributed to brain chemicals gone awry.
Terms for these diseases are constantly changing as evidenced by the frequent revision of the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) specifically its definitions and diagnoses. The DSM is the psychologists’ bible, first published in 1952, and has undergone 5 official revisions since then.
If science can prove that behavior problems are rooted in brain chemicals, and especially genes, then it would absolve man from the bulk of his responsibility for his behavior as he could then blame his diseased brain, versus his faulty mind; his brain chemicals versus his sinful lifestyle. Then simply take a pill to fix himself.
If science could find those biochemical pathways that show chemicals go askew causing bizarre behavior, inventors could then make drugs for someone to take to moderate the symptoms of these disorders, which they could call ‘treatment’. This would be analogous to how they develop drugs to moderate symptoms of physical diseases, such as high blood pressure or high blood sugar.
But are drugs really an effective treatment? Mental health professionals readily admit they are not curing the disease. Indeed, our best mental scientists–all who dabble in the realm of the psyche–consign you to the purgatory of lifelong affliction and force you to believe that you cannot be cured. The best THEY have to offer is daily or weekly medication; stop taking this medication and you will immediately relapse into psychosis or worse–criminal behavior. Stop taking your medication and you–and those around you–can expect utter DOOM.
Just in the last century, these diagnoses have become part of the linga franca of all ‘developed’ countries. Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and narcissistic personality disorder are just some of the trendy terms we have all become acquainted with in popular culture. But how much scientific evidence is there that shows these disorders are rooted in biology? I mean, if the DSM has been around for 70 years, that’s a lot of time for research studies to be conducted. I am pretty sure the direct link between behavioral problems and brain chemistry is still tenuous at best. But if scientists could eventually show a direct link to biological brain changes, how do we know this altered biology could not itself be attributed to simply…. sin?
For those familiar with bible stories, there are two notorious examples of kings who exhibited bizarre or erratic behaviors we would probably label depression, bipolar disorder, even schizophrenia, and definitely narcissistic personality disorder! For example, King Saul in the Old Testament experienced intense mood swings, episodes of deep depression, and erratic behavior. He hated David intensely, then had overwhelming feelings of love toward him. Another example is King Nebuchadnezzar, who suffered a period of madness where he lived like an animal for seven years, crawled around naked on all four limbs, and even ate grass!
But we also know that these kings had grievously sinned against God by setting themselves up as idols, which is the worst sin of all. And God gave them many opportunities to repent and turn back to him, which they denied. God gave them His most anointed soldiers, namely David and Daniel, to be personal assistants and intimate companions of the kings yet they tried to kill them. Eventually, Nebuchadnezzar did repent and turn back to God, but King Saul died in his sin, along with his sons.
A google search from today shows that research might indicate that those with symptoms of the disorder known as schizophrenia have a unique brain network, and cognitive difficulties related to attention and memory. And bipolar disorder seems to reveal reduced gray matter volume in regions such as the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, crucial for cognitive control, impulsivity, and emotional regulation. The neurotransmitters typically studied are noradrenaline, dopamine, serotonin, and GABA, along with all the hormones; basically any liquor of the body might be implicated.
What will it mean if men are able to prove, through the scientific process, beyond a reasonable doubt, that there are abnormal biochemical pathways in the brain? For scientists and those who practice medicine, it will mean the cause of personality problems and bad behavior is organic, and that is enough information for them to assure you that it isn’t your fault, that your brain chemistry is out of whack. They will consider this a grand achievement and move on to their primary aim, which is to develop medications you need to take to moderate your neurotransmitters and hormones, so that you can gain control over your problem. These medications make drug developers rich and pacify healthcare providers because they can quickly and easily treat you with the stroke of the pen or keyboard key. Contrary to what they want you to think, these medications are not sophisticated at all. They usually work in one of two ways: to depress or stimulate you.
But what if those very brain chemicals were altered by God for a reason? What if God allowed your neurotransmitters and hormones to be out of whack because He is punishing you for your disobedience and sinful thought processes or lifestyle, and in order to get your attention to save your soul? Is this outside the realm of possibility? Let’s look back at the symptoms of these popular diseases listed above: Schizophrenia seems to create new neural networks affecting thinking, memory, and attention. And bipolar disorder causes major shifts in the parts of your brain that cause you to be able to think and control your emotions. This means collectively that you won’t be able to think straight or control yourself very well. Hmm. This kinda sounds like what the bible says happens to fools who sin against God and who do not obey Him. Bad stuff happens to them:
The way of the transgressor is hard. ~Proverbs 13:15
God is far away from the sinner. ~Proverbs 15:29
God does not honor the prayers of an unrepentent husband. ~1 Peter 3:7
Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared. ~1 Timothy 4:1-2
God turns them over to their reprobate minds (Romans 1:28)….. and delivers such a one to Satan for destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord. ~1 Corinthians 5:5
If God can bring serial plagues on Egypt for their idolatry, could He not also tweak some liquid bodily humors and brain synapses to make you feel bad, to maybe get your attention and the attention of those around you? And then turn you over to the devil to help you realize the error of your ways, in order to turn back to Him? I think the answer is a resounding YES, He would! For further scriptural proof of this, I will cite the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Romans:
God’s Wrath on Unrighteousness
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.
Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. ~Romans 1:18-32
The Christian has more to offer than pharmaceutical prescriptions. The Christian gives HOPE for problems of the mind, or mental disease!
Because these ‘diseases’ are not rooted in faulty brain chemicals at all, but they are rooted in SIN. And SIN has a cure. That cure is free, and His name is Jesus.
❤
~Song of Mary~ 