Evidence of Mental Disorders in the Gospel Texts: Schizophrenia in particular

.:Who:.

I am currently on my 4th year of studies, I am a Theology Major and a Psychology Minor.

My thesis title is : Evidence of Schizophrenic Behaviour throughout the Gospel texts. This Thesis is to in no way to intentionally go against and directly discredit the Church or to try and portrait Jesus as a Schizophrenic, but there may be some conflicting views that may upset the thinking of some Church officials and followers. My Thesis is regarding evidence of types of behaviour in the Gospels that may lead to a diagnosis of a mental illness, For examples such passages where people may of been seen to be possessed? Was Jesus being the Son of God aware of the reality of these peoples illness? & if so why did he act as to "cast out demons?"

Now I do not want to put too many ideas into anyones heads and affect original thinking on the topic so I will not go any further.

Any thoughts/views/theories on the topic would be hugely welcomed not only from religious but from those who are not so religious.

*This is a authentic and serious topic it is not to discredit the thoughts or views of anyone who reads it and it is definitely up to debate, so if you do disagree with any of the points here then please let me know. I very much look forward to everyones views.*

.:Who:.

Also if anyone any of books on this topic I would be really gratefiul to hear of them. thanks

Nevyn

You may have better luck in the athiest agnostic forum.

Zombrex

Thaedydal wrote:

You may have better luck in the athiest agnostic forum.

Or the history forum (do we have a history forum)...

.:Who:.

Thaedydal wrote:

You may have better luck in the athiest agnostic forum.

Well you see, I was thinking that thus was a Christianity Forum and that any topic regardin scripture and the life of Christ well thhis would be the place to discuss such topics.

The thesis is not of atheist or agnostic belief or bias it is purely Christian.


I really do not think that it is a subject for a history forum.

robindch

> Was Jesus being the Son of God aware of the reality of these
> peoples illness? & if so why did he act as to "cast out demons?"

Before the rise of modern medicine and things like the germ theory of disease and the understanding of mental disorders, many (probably most) societies believed that various illnesses were caused by evil spirits. Christianity seems to have emphasized this more than other religions because of its assertion that the world is filled with evil spirits and witches (etc) under Satan's general control. Other religions, particularly the older animist beliefs, seems to have been rather more benign. The Catholic Encyclopedia and Wikipedia have useful entries on the casting out of demons and exorcism in general:

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05709a.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exorcism

While Kramer's influential Malleus Maleficarum from 1486 talks in detail about demons, devils, possession, witches and many other things in a way which probably would have been fairly familiar to Jesus:

http://www.malleusmaleficarum.org/downloads/MalleusAcrobat.pdf

At the end of the day, Jesus was simply expressing his own understanding of the medical beliefs of the time, and they've subsequently turned out to be wrong.

On a side note, the Vatican released a new edition of its rite of exorcism a few years back which suggests that exorcists should sometimes consult with medical doctors and should "not assume that those who are suffering from some illness, particularly psychological, are vexed by the demon". Though since it still believes that possessions can happen in the first place, it's making clear that it's sticking, at least in part, with the medical beliefs of the first century.

There are a few posters in this forum who believe that disease is caused by evil spirits -- I'm sure they'll be able to post more on the religious side of this discussion.

BrianCalgary

Jesus was quite aware of who He was and the role He was playing in the salvation of mankind. We see that in the Garden of Gethsemane and in some of the parables where He talks about Himself being the Son of God.

Jesus also could tell the difference between demon possessiona and real illness. He diagnosed every one correctly.

(I'm tired this morning and frazzled from traffic and non-stop snow and cold, so please bear with me if I'm not coherent:))

There are those out there who look for a demon under every rock and get the diagnosis wrong. Illness is also blamed on a lack of faith by others.

Illness exists because of sin, man's rebellion against God. If I get a sniffle it's because germs exist and I've caught one. Demon possession also exists, although I don't think I've ever come across it, although I think Satan tried it a couple of times with me.

Have an illness, consult your physician. Demon possessed, local minister or Jesus.

mymind

I would say it is six of 1 and a half dozen of the other. What I mean is this looking back to creation we see Adam to be perfect living in a perfect world until Satan was ushered in. Look in Genesis chapter 5 you see the desendants of Adam and you see each person lived a shorter and shorter life span and then died. The malidies we face today we cure for a temporal moment. We are never %100 cure until we are in Heaven with Jesus and the Father. Sin in refrence hinders each person as we walk in this world and each person is hindered by something one way or another. I have yet to meet a perfect Christian or otherwise. Christians understand we are weak but it is Jesus who is strong and we pray for all those who are hindered including ourselves. Romans 3-23 for all have sinned and come short the glory of God. The remedy is in the next verse. Galations chapter 5 verse 7 paul asks who was it who hindered you from obeying the truth? Go to Ephesians chap 6 verse 10 paul tells us what the war is who it is where it resides and what to use to protect against it. 1st Thessalonians 2-17 Paul comes out and says plainly it was Satan who hindered us coming to you sooner. So we are plagued with the ever presence of Satan begining at the fall of mankind to even now. The only Remedy is to walk in faith and trust in Jesus, we will still die but that is the way God has wanted to show each of us the importance of His salvation in Jesus. Luke chapter 5-30 to 32 Jesus tells the Scribes and Pharasees that those who are whole need not a physician but those who are sick. Then he connects this to Sinners needing Repentance. Who is it that does not need repentance? Luke was also a Physician and in Luke chapter 13 verse 11 thru 16 Jesus heals a woman on the Sabath day which was a day of rest unto the Jews but he makes a clear connection of the woman being crippled was synonamus with the direct hinderence of Satan. I hope this will help you in your findings keep in mind it is Jesus who knows the thoughts and hearts of all men.