Image: Best Books for Christian Depression by Len Lantz (CC BY-NC-ND)
Synopsis: Len's list of the best books on depression for Christians.
BY LEN LANTZ, MD, author of unJoy / 1.1.2023; No. 102
Disclaimer: Yes, I am a physician, but I’m not your doctor and this article does not create a doctor-patient relationship. This article is for educational purposes and should not be seen as medical advice. You should consult with your physician before you rely on this information. This post also contains affiliate links. Please click this LINK for the full disclaimer.
The field of books for Christians with depression
After reading and reviewing dozens of books for Christians struggling with depression, I thought it would be helpful if I provided a list of the very best. Below is my list of the top books on depression for Christians with a summary of what makes each book outstanding. Each book listed includes a link to my more extensive review of the book.
The best books on Christian depression
#5 Downcast: Biblical and Medical Hope for Depression by Jennifer Huang Harris, Harold Koenig, and John Peteet (2020; 261 pages)
Image: Downcast by Len Lantz (CC BY-NC-ND)
Downcast is a wide-ranging book on depression written from a Christian perspective by three psychiatrists. The book works best as a helpful resource and guide for Christians with depression, family members, and church leaders who are helping others with depression. The authors go into depth on questions that many Christians have about depression. One of the ways that the authors of Downcast reduce stigma is by sharing the practical information that English pastor and theologian Richard Baxter delivered in his “Advice to Depressed and Anxious Christians” over 400 years ago. A unique feature of this book is that it also includes an interview with Christian leaders Rick and Kay Warren on their experiences of supporting their son who had depression and how they coped after losing him to suicide.
#4 Boundaries for Your Soul: How to Turn Your Overwhelming Thoughts and Feelings into Your Greatest Allies by Alison Cook and Kimberly Miller (2018; 256 pages)
Image: Boundaries for Your Soul by Len Lantz (CC BY-NC-ND)
Boundaries for Your Soul is a helpful book that combines a Christian-oriented approach with a form of psychotherapy (Internal Family Systems or IFS) and boundary setting. This book shares with the reader how to accept and deal with difficult thoughts, emotions, and memories and turn them into internal allies. Boundaries for Your Soul is unique in its approach to incorporating boundary setting with emotional and thought regulation strategies while incorporating and respecting spiritual beliefs. While the book is not intended to replace psychotherapy, the authors provide hope and a starting point for dealing with depression in a faith-based manner.
#3 Spurgeon’s Sorrows: Realistic Hope for those who Suffer from Depression by Zack Eswine (2015; 144 pages)
Image: Spurgeon’s Sorrows by Len Lantz (CC BY-NC-ND)
Spurgeon’s Sorrows is a book with a novel approach to understanding depression – through the life and sermons of one of the most famous Christian pastors, Charles Spurgeon. Not only did Spurgeon struggle with depression, but he also displayed significant compassion toward other believers throughout his ministry in the 1800s. This book offers readers encouragement to Christians with depression as they learn more about a highly revered Christian leader who also battled depression and struggled with doubt and loss of hope. Another wonderful aspect of Spurgeon’s Sorrows is the author’s poetic writing style, which brings beauty to an otherwise painful subject.
#2 Overcoming Spiritual Depression by Arie Elshout (2006 English translation; 120 pages)
Image: Overcoming Spiritual Depression by Len Lantz (CC BY-NC-ND)
Overcoming Spiritual Depression is an excellent book on depression that explores the topic of depression through different perspectives on the experiences of the prophet Elijah. The author also shares his personal experiences with depression and how he has helped others who struggle with depression and anxiety. Arie Elshout’s approach to this topic is spiritual, logical, and practical as he provides a destigmatizing view of depression from a Christian perspective. The author also shares his reasoning against suicide from a Christian vantage point. While the book was originally published over 30 years ago, its information and message remain relevant to people today.
#1 unJoy: hope and help for 7 million Christians with depression by Len Lantz (2022; 164 pages)
Image: unJoy by Len Lantz (CC BY-NC-ND)
unJoy is the book I would choose if I could only give one book to someone with depression. This book convincingly explains that depression is treatable – it’s possible to become fully free of depression. unJoy is filled with real solutions for depression from a Christian perspective. It’s short, easy to read, and engaging with Bible verses, stories about real people, and entertaining cartoons, and it contains information that can help people of all faith backgrounds. unJoy explains that while having depression is not your fault, it is your responsibility to do something effective to get rid of it. unJoy tells you how to access help and how to support a loved one who is suffering from depression.
I wrote this book because of the need I saw for it as a resource for Christians. In writing unJoy, my mission was to create a captivating book that addresses the stigma of depression, offers realistic hope, and shares effective solutions.
Your invitation to provide feedback
I plan to continue updating this article as I read more Christian books on depression. Did you expect to find a title on my list of best books that wasn’t there? If so, please share your comments and suggestions below. You can also check out my other book reviews by clicking this LINK.