Blog Post

Mental Disorders and Spiritual Healing

by Jean-Claude Larchet
reviewed by Eighth Day Books

Feast of St Crescens the Martyr; Holy Wednesday in East

Anno Domini 2020, April 15

Mental Disorders and Spiritual Healing: Teachings from the Early Christian East by Jean-Claude Larchet

This might be the book you expected to find between the covers of Metropolitan Hierotheos’s Orthodox Psychotherapy. No doubt both books are discussions in concert with the Church Fathers concerning the healing of the soul; but while Orthodox Psychotherapy focuses on the systematic application of the teachings of the Philokalia, Jean-Claude Larchet’s Mental Disorders addresses the anthropological background, diagnoses, and treatment of mental illness as addressed in the teachings of the early Christian East more broadly read. Larchet stresses that while the Fathers were not overly preoccupied with this subject, the source material available to modern scholars offers a variety of resources for current practice based on the Orthodox conception of the person (body, psyche, and spirit) and the fundamentally Christian values of solicitude, respect, and integration of the mentally ill within communal life. He points out that the Fathers recognized three main origins of mental illness – somatic (or organic), demonic, and spiritual (defined as one of the passions developed to the extreme) – and he introduces a fourth unlikely and surprising category to their discussion, the fool for Christ. Juxtaposing this “folly simulated for spiritual ends” with authentic forms of madness, Larchet helpfully presents the attitude of the great saints toward “fools” (in terms of charity and social acceptance) as well as helps us understand an extinct and often misunderstood species of ascetic.

172 pp. paper $21.95

Members (Patrons+) receive 10% discount, plus many other perks!

Learn more and support cultural renewal here.

Exercise the virtue of patience, resist Amazon, and support Eighth Day Books. Give them a call at 1.800.841.2541 between 10 am and 8 pm CST Mon-Sat and engage in a conversation about books and ideas with a live human person who reads books and loves to discuss them. Or, if you insist, visit their website at www.eighthdaybooks.com.

< Older Post Newer Post >

Support Cultural Renewal by Contributing to the Inklings Fall Fundraiser Inklings Festival Information & Registration

Contribute to Cultural Renewal by Sharing on Your Preferred Platform

In an isolating secularized culture where the Church's voice is muffled through her many divisions, Christians need all the help they can get to strengthen their faith in God and love toward their neighbor. Eighth Day Institute offers hope to all Christians through our adherence to the Nicene faith, our ecumenical dialogues of love and truth, and our many events and publications to strengthen faith, grow in wisdom, and foster Christian friendships of love. Will you join us in our efforts to renew soul & city? Donate today and join the community of Eighth Day Members who are working together to renew culture through faith & learning.