Discussions of mental health flood the airwaves and the digital space in modern life. Current treatments are based on the assumption that mental health problems are diseases, much like polio is a disease, and need to be treated like any other disease. There is no place for religion, much less judgment, in this “scientific” paradigm. But the Christian Bible commands people to look at mental health through more than just that lens.
By Mark D. Harris, MD, MPH, MBA, MDiv, ThM, PhD, DBA
The Scientific Paradigm for Mental Health
A paradigm is how a person looks at reality, including how he or she sees problems. All paradigms rely on shared assumptions and a shared framework for research. Scientific paradigms are naturalistic by design, meaning that there is no room for God or for the supernatural. When applying the scientific paradigm to health, diseases and injuries arise from observable causes through logical mechanisms, and diagnoses and treatments are objective and effective. There is no room for sin, guilt, or miraculous healings in a purely scientific paradigm.
Consider the following as an example of the scientific paradigm applied to medicine. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is suggested by the history and physical exam but diagnosed with pulmonary function and other measurable tests. Imaging studies, laboratory findings, and tissue biopsy show changes consistent with a diagnosis of COPD. Treatment involves medication, pulmonary rehabilitation, risk factor cessation (like smoking), efforts to minimize complications, and other lifestyle changes. With the best possible care, COPD treatment can improve quality of life and longevity.
Modern secular science, using the scientific paradigm, views mental health conditions as diseases that should be treated like other diseases, like COPD. That means that the diagnosis of depression or anxiety should rely on observable phenomena, such as imaging, lab tests, or biopsies. They don’t. Diagnoses and treatments should be consistent between observers, with Psychiatrists A, B, and C generally agreeing on who has what disease and what to do about it. The bible of Mental Health, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), is a list of disease constructs (Depression, Bipolar, Schizophrenia, etc.) followed by a list of criteria to diagnose each mental health “disease”. These diagnostic criteria are entirely subjective, depending upon statements of patients, parents, teachers, and others, without support from physical examination, laboratory or imaging.[1]
The scientific paradigm alone has not significantly improved outcomes such as prevalence for mental health patients.
The Christian Paradigm for Mental Health
Christians believe that God made the universe, including the natural world, which gives rise to the scientific paradigm. Therefore, Christianity encompasses the scientific paradigm. However, followers of Christ also believe in other dimensions that may be considered spiritual. The Christian paradigm includes all scientific phenomena and all supernatural phenomena. I argue, therefore, that it is the best paradigm to understand and treat conditions that modern medicine classifies as mental health.
Believers in Christ understand that God reveals Himself through His Word and also through His created order. The Word of God is our fundamental source.
- God is self-existent, and we are not Him
- God is omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, eternal, morally perfect, all-loving, and holy.
- Humans are created, derivative beings who have been given power and authority over all creation but are limited in every way.
- We rebelled against God, and our sin has made us mortal.
- Jesus Christ, the God-Man, is alone perfect, His work allowing mankind to be restored to the Father in ideal health for eternity.
- Each man is responsible for what he has done and who he is.
- All conditions that we consider mental health conditions have a component of our own sin within them. In my clinical and pastoral practices, for example, I have often seen unforgiveness as a contributor to depression and anxiety.
Skeptics will object to the idea that everyone, even those that society may call victims, bears some responsibility for their own troubles. This would be a concern if Christianity did not also provide forgiveness for shame, guilt, and fear. Further, only by taking responsibility can a person find the ability to make the situation better.
What works a little for mental health treatment – medicines
For at least three decades in my clinical practice, mental health has been described as the greatest epidemic of our times. Mental health diagnoses are lists of symptoms, and the closest modern medicine can come to a proposed mechanism of disease is to claim that there is a “chemical” or a “hormone” imbalance.[2] Pharmaceutical companies have pumped out billions of pills, and made more than a trillion dollars, in the hopes of alleviating suffering in people who are depressed, anxious, bipolar, substance addicted, schizophrenic, or suffering from chronic pain.[3] The results have been poor, with suffering people (including taxpayers) spending large sums of money for years to buy medications with limited effect. Consider the abstract in the study, “Has increased provision of treatment reduced the prevalence of common mental disorders? Review of the evidence from four countries.”[4]
Many people identified as having common mental disorders in community surveys do not receive treatment. Modelling has suggested that closing this “treatment gap” should reduce the population prevalence of those disorders. To evaluate the effects of reducing the treatment gap in industrialized countries, data from 1990 to 2015 were reviewed from four English‐speaking countries: Australia, Canada, England, and the US. These data show that the prevalence of mood and anxiety disorders and symptoms has not decreased, despite substantial increases in the provision of treatment, particularly antidepressants. Several hypotheses for this lack of improvement were considered. There was no support for the hypothesis that increases in risk factors have masked reductions in prevalence due to treatment. However, there was little evidence relevant to the hypothesis that improvements have been masked by increased reporting of symptoms because of greater public awareness of common mental disorders or willingness to disclose. A more strongly supported hypothesis for the lack of improvement is that much of the treatment provided does not meet the minimal standards of clinical practice guidelines and is not targeted optimally to those in greatest need. Lack of attention to the prevention of common mental disorders may also be a factor. Reducing the prevalence of common mental disorders remains an unsolved challenge for health systems globally, which may require greater attention to the “quality gap” and “prevention gap”. There is also a need for nations to monitor outcomes by using standardized measures of service provision and mental disorders over time.
Commentators note steadily increasing suicide rates in the US and conclude that, despite vast sums of time and money invested in mental health, overall mental health in the US is not improving.[5] Most mental health professionals genuinely care for their patients, and Christian counselors are commanded by Scripture to serve others in a way that will help them. The scientific paradigm is useful but limited in its ability to identify, explain, and treat mental illness.
Decreasing mental health condition prevalence is not the only outcome measure of psychoactive medications. Many people’s symptoms improve notably when given medication. But many people only get emotionally numb. Side effects like dizziness and mental impairment are common. Medications should rarely be used alone but rather in conjunction with other treatments.
What works well for mental health treatment – Non-pharmacological (Cognitive and Dialectical) therapies
Cognitive and dialectical behavioral therapy are useful in a wide variety of mental health problems. Counselors and clinicians alike can use them to achieve improvement in mood disorders (depression, anxiety), thought disorders (schizophrenia), and bad outcomes such as suicide.[6]
Mindfulness – Wise mind
- Emotional mind – You allow powerful emotions to be in control and direct behavior. You can feel overwhelmed and out of control. Consider what the other person did and how you reacted. For example, if a loved one didn’t call you or text, were you shouting, crying, and accusing that person?
- Logical mind – You use a logical, rational, and thoughtful approach to situations and decisions. You remain calm and minimize the role of emotions. In the situation above, you assume the best and consider potential mitigating circumstances.
- Wise mind – You focus on the benefits of both emotional and logical minds. You shift your focus to your experience with the other person, how to get things done in this situation, and using positive intuition. You may decide to take a walk to feel better.
Distress tolerance
- Self-soothing – use the five senses to experience or think about something relaxing, comforting, awe-inspiring, or pleasant. This induces a calm feeling. As an example, if you worry a lot, use a beautiful scene, a fragrant scent, a tasty food, or a meaningful touch to overcome the worry.
- Radical acceptance – Accept things as they are rather than as you wish that they would be. Suffering and death are a normal part of life. Remember why life is worth living.
Emotional regulation
- Opposite action – if you have a powerful negative emotion, do the opposite of your initial inclination. If you lack motivation, do something worthwhile. If you are angry, do something kind. If you are sad, make someone else happy. If you are afraid, do something brave.
- Positive but accurate self-talk—Avoid the common pitfall of automatic negative thoughts. Rather than thinking, “I am a failure,” think, “Sometimes, I do not succeed at what I try.” Self-talk should be useful, realistic, true, and balanced.
Interpersonal effectiveness (DEAR MAN)
- Describe – stick to the facts of what happened and why you are reacting.
- Express – tell the other person how you think and feel.
- Assert – ask for what you want. Say “no” to things that you don’t want.
- Reinforce – explain the positive effects of getting your needs met.
- Mindful – focus on your goals and needs.
- Appear – look as though you know what you want and are confident about getting it.
- Negotiate – look for alternative solutions that work for everyone.
Suicidal ideation – weekly follow-up
Deep breathing strategy – inhale 4 sec, hold 4 sec, exhale 4 sec,
Medical apps and websites
What works best for mental health treatment – the power of God
In her article, Stay in the Crucible, Andree Seu Peterson describes a young woman who, when confronted with symptoms of depression and substance abuse, quickly sought mental health treatment.[7] Using the scientific paradigm, she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and recommended the following treatments:
- Medications – Prozac, Abilify, Lamictal
- Monitoring – Weekly psychiatric appointments, routine monitoring, regular screening
- Coping strategies
- Safety plan
- Support contacts
This patient may improve with this plan, There is, however, another way to understand these problems. In this telling, this young woman does not have a disease, but rather is failing to cope with life, compounded by her past and her environment. Life is hard. This person has made bad choices; these choices made her problems worse, and her environment, 21st-century America, has compounded her problems.
Coping requires a proper understanding of the nature of God, and of the nature of man, who is a spiritual being as well as a physical one. There is a natural, material world, but also a spiritual world, the “home” of God and the angels.[8] Actions to transform the human spirit into the moral likeness of the Spirit of Christ are the best prescription for such spiritual problems.
- Bible study
- Prayer
- Fasting
- Almsgiving
- Silence
- Solitude
- Corporate worship
- Service
- Evangelism
- Fellowship
Christian health care providers, counselors, pastors, and others can and sometimes should use the scientific paradigm and treatments associated with it in select patients. However, we must acknowledge and embrace the fact that there are spiritual dimensions to be considered in every person. Medications generally numb the patient rather than treating the underlying problems. Techniques such as Cognitive and Dialectical therapies are useful for many patients but may be human-centric, denying the spiritual world. Since 83% of people in the world believe in God and or some type of spiritual reality, caregivers are negligent if they ignore religion and spirituality in their work.[9]
The Christian paradigm, how the Bible explains God, man, and all reality, is a powerful and widely accepted weltanschauung (world view). It is held by many patients in the Western World. It encompasses and transcends the secular, “scientific” paradigm of disease.
For the woman in the case study, the diagnosis of bipolar disorder and the recommended treatments can be useful. However, without the spiritual component and appropriate spiritual interventions, any improvement is likely to be limited and incomplete. A health care provider will do the most good by addressing both.
Conclusion
Mental health is a common concern in the modern world, but extant therapies, particularly medications, lack effectiveness. In fact, the whole tower of mental health diagnoses and treatments is often wobbly. The “scientific” paradigm of disease, when applied to mental health, is insufficient. A paradigm that acknowledges the spiritual nature of man is required. The Christian paradigm, activated through a personal relationship with God, a Christian worldview, and the spiritual disciplines, will make all the difference in our patients and ourselves.
Kyiv Theological Seminary Class – March 2026
Click to access Biblical-Counseling-and-Medical-Illness.pdf
References
[1] Recent investigators have tried to use functional studies such as MRI to diagnose mental health conditions such as depression. However, such modalities do not appear as diagnostic criteria in the DSM-5. Further, even if changes are found on an imaging or laboratory study, it is not clear if the patient’s depression caused the changes or the changes caused the depression. By contrast, if a scientist finds Mycobacterium tuberculosis on a sputum sample in a patient with symptoms, signs, and imaging consistent with active tuberculosis, he can be confident in diagnosing active tuberculosis, knowing the direction of causation, and prescribing treatments that are known to be effective.
[2] Even if investigators found a consistent “hormone imbalance” between people with mental health disorders and people without, such an imbalance would not prove causation. Did the disorder cause the hormone imbalance or did the hormone imbalance cause the disorder? Or is the imbalance related to something else entirely (confounding).
[3] The annual global market for mental health-related medications is at least $37 billion. Market size has been growing, but over the past 30 years, drug company receipts have been/will continue to be over a trillion dollars. https://visiongain.com/report/mental-disorder-drugs-market-2021/.
[4] Jorm AF, Patten SB, Brugha TS, Mojtabai R. Has increased provision of treatment reduced the prevalence of common mental disorders? Review of the evidence from four countries. World Psychiatry. 2017 Feb;16(1):90-99. doi: 10.1002/wps.20388. PMID: 28127925; PMCID: PMC5269479.
[5] Is Mental Health Declining in the U.S.? Despite more people taking medications, progress against mental illness seems to have stalled, January 1, 2017, https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/is-mental-health-declining-in-the-u-s/. Subjective quality of life may improve with some antidepressants.
[6] American Family Physician, Vol 112, Number 1, July 2025
[7] Stay in the Crucible, World Magazine, August 2025
[8] Yes, I am aware that God inhabits all parts of His creation, the universe. He is, after all, God. I am speaking traditionally in that statement.
[9] God, spirits and the natural world, https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2025/05/06/god-spirits-and-the-natural-world/.
