Christians Get Depressed Too

Here’s a book I highly recommend: Christians Get Depressed Too by David Murray.  It is a short, biblical, and practical discussion of depression from a Christian perspective.  The chapters are as follows: 1) The crisis of depression, 2) The complexity of it, 3) The condition of it, 4) The causes of depression, 5) The cures of it, and 6) The caregivers.

Murray is level-headed in this book.  While he does acknowledge the fact that sometimes sin can be the source of depression, he realizes that depression is much more complex than simply being a sin “issue.”  Murray has also done his medical research, which is helpful.  I appreciate how Murray describes several factors that lead to depression.  Furthermore, Murray has counseled many who have had depression – from mild to severe forms of it – so his approach is pastoral.

Here’s a summary of the first chapter (the crisis of depression).  Murray asks and answers the question: why should we study depression?  1) Because the Bible speaks about it, 2) Because it is so common, 3) Because it impacts our spiritual life, 4) Because it may be prevented or mitigated, 5) Because it will open doors of usefulness, 6) Because it is so misunderstood, 7) Because it is a ‘talent’ (Matt. 25:14-30) to be invested for God, and 8) Because we can all improve our mental and emotional health.

I’ll come back later at some point and blog more on this book.  For now, again, I recommend it for those of you who face depression (mild or severe) as well as those of you who would like to understand depression and help those who have to suffer through it.  It is a great resource: David Murray, Christians Get Depressed Too (Grand Rapids: Reformation Heritage Books, 2010).

shane lems

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