Biblical Position on Mental Illness

[AgnosticBoy]

Here's a story about a mentally ill man in the Bible...

Mark 5:1-10
5 They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. 2 When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. 3 This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. 4 For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. 5 Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.

6 When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. 7 He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me!” 8 For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you impure spirit!”

9 Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?”

“My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.” 10 And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Based on this story, let's discuss the following:
1. What is the biblical position on mental illness?
2. Are mental illnesses, like schizophrenia, caused by demon possession? Any other examples of mental illness in the Bible, especially ones where spirits aren't involved?

 

[Scooter]

The Bible does not say this man had any type of mental illness. The Bible says this man was demon possessed. There is a distinction in the Bible regarding demon possession and mental illness: Matthew 4:24 And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.

I believe there are many people diagnosed with mental illness who are demon possessed. Mental illness as a real issue that is separate from demon possession. The Bible relates a story where a man thought his son was mentally ill, but was in reality demon possessed: Matthew 17:15-18 Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water. And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him. Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me. And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour..

There are various causes for mental illness. Some can be treated with medication and/or therapy. Demon possession will cause people to do things that society considers "crazy". This is an area where extreme caution needs to be exercised.

 

[AgnosticBoy]

Mark 5:1-10
5 They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. 2 When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. 3 This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. 4 For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. 5 Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.

The Bible does not say this man had any type of mental illness. The Bible says this man was demon possessed.

That's tricky because the Bible doesn't say that he wasn't mentally ill. The guy was definitely not in his right mind. You and I probably understand mental illness to refer to a crazy person that isn't demon-possessed, but such a term like mental illness would not exist or wouldn't exist on its own if it's all understood to be demon-possession.

I suspect that the ancients attributed many things in the world to spirits and gods (diseases weather, the Sun, etc). This is why I'm looking for any biblical references of mental illness without being associated with demons.

The Bible does not say this man had any type of mental illness. The Bible says this man was demon possessed. There is a distinction in the Bible regarding demon possession and mental illness: Matthew 4:24 And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.

"Lunatick" can mean mentally ill but interestingly that's only used in the KJV, and even so, it may not even refer to mental illness. The original Greek word is "selēniazomai", which means "to be moon-struck or lunatic" and "to be epileptic". Modern English versions translate it as "epilepsy".

Matthew 4:24 (NIV):
24 News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and he healed them.

Matthew 4:24 (NASB):
24 And the news about Him spread throughout Syria; and they brought to Him all who were ill, those suffering with various diseases and severe pain, demon-possessed, people with epilepsy, and people who were paralyzed; and He healed them.
....................

The evidence here is iffy for me because of modern translations. I at least like that seizures weren't attributed to demons since those two terms are used separately.

I believe there are many people diagnosed with mental illness who are demon possessed. Mental illness as a real issue that is separate from demon possession.

I like this view eventhough I don't believe in demons. It acknowledges that there can be both natural and supernatural causes.

The Bible relates a story where a man thought his son was mentally ill, but was in reality demon possessed: Matthew 17:15-18 Lord, have mercy on my son: for

This again is like the Matthew 4 passage. I would only get the impression of "mental illness" if only going by the KJV or not looking up the word in the Greek. I'll also look at my go-to site for any other examples.

Another interesting thing about the Matthew 17 passage though is that the disciples couldn't cure this guy's son. Why did Jesus do it on the first try but the disciples couldn't?