Book Review – Blame It on the Brain?
Image: Blame It on the Brain? by Len Lantz (CC BY-NC-ND)
Synopsis: Len's Star Rating: 1 out of 10. A book with spiritual viewpoints on mental health conditions that contradict medicine and science.
BY LEN LANTZ, MD / 1.25.2022; No. 68
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.
Star Rating – 1 out of 10
Rating guide: 1 = horrible, 5 = average and 10 = wow
Author
Edward T. Welch
About the author
Edward Welch, MDiv, PhD, is an author of several mental health books from a spiritual perspective and a faculty member/counselor at the Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation (CCEF). He obtained his MDiv from Biblical Theological Seminary and his PhD in clinical neuropsychology from the University of Utah.
General description
Blame It on the Brain? is a book on different mental health conditions from a spiritual standpoint. The book includes verses from the Bible to support the author’s perspective and diagnostic criteria for some of the conditions discussed. Topics covered in the book include:
Alzheimer’s Disease
Head Injury
Depression
Attention Deficit Disorder
Homosexuality
Alcoholism
Unique and most important aspects
I found this book difficult to read, as I experienced frequent disagreement with the author’s approach to mental illness. This book was published in 1998, so it understandably has dated information, however, it is unusual that the author included homosexuality among the other mental health topics in his book as the American Psychiatric Association declared that homosexuality was not a mental illness 25 years before the publication of this book.
I found myself disagreeing with the author’s perspective when he asserted that a Christian counselor is capable of differentiating spiritual areas from physical areas in a person’s life. This perspective places the Christian counselor in the position of a doctor – or, even, God.
I also found it distressing that the author asserted that people with Alzheimer’s Disease or a head injury who experience a personality change in which they behave immorally are experiencing an uncovering of their previously held sinful inclinations. In the example of Alzheimer’s Disease, the author stated, “More often the sinful behavior is the person’s heart being revealed. Whatever the person thought or did in private is now public, because the person does not distinguish between the two any longer.” That is simply not true. It is uncharitable to imply this of people with Alzheimer’s Disease, head injuries, or other mental health conditions. I am concerned that the author presents his opinion as fact and anecdotes as universal truths in a detrimental way. Not only is this harmful, but it also worsens mental health stigma among Christians.
Best quote
“But there are other points to consider. First, since we don’t fully know the depth of someone else’s suffering, we should be careful when offering our opinion about medication. It is easy to underestimate the extent of a person’s pain. Second, we should remember that, in general, the alleviation of suffering is a good thing. And third, since the Bible does not clearly prohibit these medications, the issue is not whether medication is biblically lawful or unlawful; rather, the issue is how to make wise, informed decisions.”
Who would enjoy this book?
Readers who are interested in a book with spiritual perspectives on mental health conditions and that is skeptical of traditional medical care would likely enjoy Blame It on the Brain?.
Who would not enjoy this book?
Readers who are looking for a Christian book with a balanced view on mental health conditions are unlikely to enjoy Blame It on the Brain?. Note: this book contains homophobic content.
Conclusion
Blame It on the Brain? is a book with spiritual viewpoints on mental health conditions that contradict medicine and science.
