The blog's readers may well remember that I once recommended Jeff Johnson's book The Fatal Flaw of the Theology Behind Infant Baptism as the best I have read on the subject. I also described it as a very helpful book in understanding Covenant Theology from a Reformed Baptist perspective. Now, however, Jeff Johnson has written … Continue reading The Kingdom of God: A Baptist Expression of Biblical & Covenant Theology by Jeff Johnson
Toward a Biblical Perspective on Depression: The Joy of the Lord
Although we could derive much teaching from the Old Testament about the joy promised to believers (e.g. Deut. 12:12; Ps. 16:11; 51:12; Isa. 61:10; Jer. 15:16), for the sake of brevity I am going to restrict our study here to the teaching of the New Testament, and even then I will only be able to … Continue reading Toward a Biblical Perspective on Depression: The Joy of the Lord
Toward a Biblical Perspective on Depression: James 1:2-17
In my last post on this subject I wrote about how we can become more capable of ministering to others in their trials when we have first been comforted by God in our own trials, and I emphasized that such trials would include even the worst sorts of depression. In this post I want to us … Continue reading Toward a Biblical Perspective on Depression: James 1:2-17
Toward a Biblical Perspective on Depression: 2 Corinthians 1:3-7
In my last post I wrote about how we may be encouraged through trials – even such trials as depression – that God's purposes in our lives are being accomplished as we see his glory being revealed in and through us and thus increase in our confidence that our future glorification is assured. In this … Continue reading Toward a Biblical Perspective on Depression: 2 Corinthians 1:3-7
Toward a Biblical Perspective on Depression: Romans 5:1-5
So far this series has considered seven case studies from Scripture, from which we have endeavored to draw lessons about some of the possible causes and cures for depression. Then we examined a couple of passages which speak directly to the issue of depression in order to see how the Bible says that we should … Continue reading Toward a Biblical Perspective on Depression: Romans 5:1-5
Toward a Biblical Perspective on Depression: Psalm 119
In this post I would like to shift focus to another psalm. Psalm 119 has several stanzas in which the author describes a struggle with what we would call depression, but we will focus our attention on the Daleth stanza in verses 25-32: NKJ Psalm 119:25 “My soul clings [דָּבַק, dāḇaq] to the dust; revive … Continue reading Toward a Biblical Perspective on Depression: Psalm 119
Toward a Biblical Perspective on Depression: Psalm 42
Today I would like to offer the first of two posts dealing with passages in which the Bible speaks directly to the issue of depression in the life of a believer. There are a number of places in the Psalms in particular that deal directly with depression in one form or another, but I will … Continue reading Toward a Biblical Perspective on Depression: Psalm 42
Toward a Biblical Perspective on Depression: Summary of Case Studies
After examining seven Scriptural case studies concerning depression, I would like to take time just to summarize some of the findings gleaned from these studies before moving on to some passages that deal more directly with the issue. First, we have seen that depression can be the result of persistent sins such as anger and … Continue reading Toward a Biblical Perspective on Depression: Summary of Case Studies
Toward a Biblical Perspective on Depression: Case Study #7
The final case study I would like to examine may surprise many of the blog's readers. I want to set forth the example of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as one who I believe encountered depression as well. For instance, I think it is safe to say that Jesus experienced depression as He faced … Continue reading Toward a Biblical Perspective on Depression: Case Study #7
Toward a Biblical Perspective on Depression: Case Study #6
Note: Although the author of Lamentations is not given in the text, the book has traditionally been attributed to the prophet Jeremiah. Since I see no good reason not to accept this traditional view, I will assume in this post that Jeremiah is indeed the author. However, nothing I will address here will be affected … Continue reading Toward a Biblical Perspective on Depression: Case Study #6