Pastor John MacArthur says there is no such thing as mental illness, calls PTSD ‘grief’

[Michie]

In what at least one critic has dismissed as the Dunning Krueger Effect in action, Pastor John MacArthur of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, claims there is no such thing as mental illness.

More than one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Over one in five youth (ages 13-18) either currently or at some point during their life have had a seriously debilitating mental illness. About one in 25 U.S. adults also lives with a serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression.

Days before the beginning of Mental Health Awareness Month, however, MacArthur, who is also the president of The Master's College and Seminary, called mental illnesses “noble lies” while speaking during a panel discussion at Grace Church of the Valley last Thursday.

Continued below.

Pastor John MacArthur says there is no such thing as mental illness, calls PTSD ‘grief’

In what at least one critic has dismissed as the Dunning Krueger Effect in action, Pastor John MacArthur, of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, claims there is no such thing as mental

www.christianpost.com

 

[BPPLEE]

In what at least one critic has dismissed as the Dunning Krueger Effect in action, Pastor John MacArthur of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, claims there is no such thing as mental illness.

More than one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Over one in five youth (ages 13-18) either currently or at some point during their life have had a seriously debilitating mental illness. About one in 25 U.S. adults also lives with a serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression.

Days before the beginning of Mental Health Awareness Month, however, MacArthur, who is also the president of The Master's College and Seminary, called mental illnesses “noble lies” while speaking during a panel discussion at Grace Church of the Valley last Thursday.

Continued below.

Pastor John MacArthur says there is no such thing as mental illness, calls PTSD ‘grief’

In what at least one critic has dismissed as the Dunning Krueger Effect in action, Pastor John MacArthur, of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, claims there is no such thing as mental

www.christianpost.com

He is very wrong about this.

 

[Vambram]

I read that article. Although I disagree with his general, basic conclusion, Dr. John McArthur did speak some truth about how children are too often medicated far too much because of prescriptions from psychologists and psychiatrists.

 

[dzheremi]

As I remember last time we had a discussion about this guy, he's very weak theologically. Maybe he's just trying to make sure his medical knowledge matches his theology.

 

[WolfGate]

I learned much from John MacArthur's bible study books and found his academic knowledge of the bible to be solid through my journey of growth as a Christian. However, I have been distressed to read his words on multiple issues, including mental illness, charismatics (I am not one), and the Gospel Coalition. I read a quote by Justin Giboney that coalesced my feelings into words.

"MacArthur cast these condemnations casually, with an apparent air of self-righteousness that suggests his theological expertise is paired with an infantile understanding of neighborly love (Heb. 5:11–13). Deep knowledge of systematic theology, unfortunately, can exist alongside a desperate need for remedial instruction on the greatest commandments (Matt. 22:37–39)"

 

[mourningdove~]

I learned much from John MacArthur's bible study books and found his academic knowledge of the bible to be solid through my journey of growth as a Christian. However, I have been distressed to read his words on multiple issues, including mental illness, charismatics (I am not one), and the Gospel Coalition.

I've learned much from his books and sermons also.
But there are a few things I do think he gets wrong, things like this one.

 

[discombobulated1]

In what at least one critic has dismissed as the Dunning Krueger Effect in action, Pastor John MacArthur of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, claims there is no such thing as mental illness.

More than one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Over one in five youth (ages 13-18) either currently or at some point during their life have had a seriously debilitating mental illness. About one in 25 U.S. adults also lives with a serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression.

Days before the beginning of Mental Health Awareness Month, however, MacArthur, who is also the president of The Master's College and Seminary, called mental illnesses “noble lies” while speaking during a panel discussion at Grace Church of the Valley last Thursday.

Continued below.

Pastor John MacArthur says there is no such thing as mental illness, calls PTSD ‘grief’

In what at least one critic has dismissed as the Dunning Krueger Effect in action, Pastor John MacArthur, of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, claims there is no such thing as mental

www.christianpost.com

When I was very young, I had this same thought, that there's really no such thing

But today, I know more

I myself have severe ptsd and no one can tell me it is no big deal, which is what it sounds like he's saying. I also know someone I suspect has severe Autism, un- diagnosed. This person cannot even take care of his basic needs, so obviously, something is wrong. I've known the person for some time and his behavior is just... well, people around him cannot understand the way he thinks. And he doesn't even think he has any kind of mental disorder, which is keeping him from getting help. It is really odd. I help when I can but I find myself frustrated because it seems he doesn't want help, yet it is obvious he needs it.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

In what at least one critic has dismissed as the Dunning Krueger Effect in action, Pastor John MacArthur of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, claims there is no such thing as mental illness.

More than one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Over one in five youth (ages 13-18) either currently or at some point during their life have had a seriously debilitating mental illness. About one in 25 U.S. adults also lives with a serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression.

Days before the beginning of Mental Health Awareness Month, however, MacArthur, who is also the president of The Master's College and Seminary, called mental illnesses “noble lies” while speaking during a panel discussion at Grace Church of the Valley last Thursday.

Continued below.

Pastor John MacArthur says there is no such thing as mental illness, calls PTSD ‘grief’

In what at least one critic has dismissed as the Dunning Krueger Effect in action, Pastor John MacArthur, of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, claims there is no such thing as mental

www.christianpost.com

O*M*G*!!! .... and to think I used to like listening to him back in the 1990's.

C'mon, MacArthur! You can do better than that.

 

[BPPLEE]

When I was very young, I had this same thought, that there's really no such thing

But today, I know more

I myself have severe ptsd and no one can tell me it is no big deal, which is what it sounds like he's saying. I also know someone I suspect has severe Autism, un- diagnosed. This person cannot even take care of his basic needs, so obviously, something is wrong. I've known the person for some time and his behavior is just... well, people around him cannot understand the way he thinks. And he doesn't even think he has any kind of mental disorder, which is keeping him from getting help. It is really odd. I help when I can but I find myself frustrated because it seems he doesn't want help, yet it is obvious he needs it.

In 2008 I was diagnosed with PTSD and my employer and doctors recommended that I go on disability. I knew it was just a bad case of insomnia and stress. I was out of work for about 9 months on unemployment but have worked full time ever since.
But I know mental illness and PTSD are real.

 

[seeking.IAM]

The pastor should stick to theology and leave mental health to the professionals. And we'll promise to not act like we are experts in theology

 

[rockytopva]

Pastor John MacArthur... Hmmm... The ratings are down... What can I say to get back into the spotlight?

 

[AlexB23]

In what at least one critic has dismissed as the Dunning Krueger Effect in action, Pastor John MacArthur of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, claims there is no such thing as mental illness.

More than one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Over one in five youth (ages 13-18) either currently or at some point during their life have had a seriously debilitating mental illness. About one in 25 U.S. adults also lives with a serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression.

Days before the beginning of Mental Health Awareness Month, however, MacArthur, who is also the president of The Master's College and Seminary, called mental illnesses “noble lies” while speaking during a panel discussion at Grace Church of the Valley last Thursday.

Continued below.

Pastor John MacArthur says there is no such thing as mental illness, calls PTSD ‘grief’

In what at least one critic has dismissed as the Dunning Krueger Effect in action, Pastor John MacArthur, of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, claims there is no such thing as mental

www.christianpost.com

This pastor is a false prophet. He needs to read John. Here is the church's website, if anyone wants to contact his church condemning his false teachings: Contact | Grace Community Church

John 9:1-3: "As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ Jesus answered, ‘It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.’"

 

[Tuur]

In the Middle Ages, doctors were figuring out illnesses and treatments were hit or miss. Even during the time of the Spanish Flu, influenza was thought to be caused by bacteria, Ideas of infectious agents were crude. That didn't mean disease didn't exist.

Psychology seems to be close to those times. There's no debuggers for the human mind for doctors to inspect the "code." Physical damage and abnormalities have to be significant enough to be noticed. Hard experimentation to confirm or refute theories is difficult. Read someone like Freud and you wonder if he had more issues than his patients. Granted that Freudian psychology seems to have passed away, it still seems hit or miss, and why a therapy or medicine works may not be understood, only that it does.

I suspect MacArthur already has a bias against psychology, just as some in the 14th Century thought doctors were quacks. Yet even in the 14th Century there were successful doctors, though their theories may have been off. Wouldn't be surprised if MacArthur sees psychology in the same way, and already suspected there is no basis for psychiatric disorders. Yet just because a 14th Century doctor may have thought a disease was caused by the imbalance of humors doesn't mean disease doesn't exist.

PTSD is very real, and that MacArthur thinks it's only associated with combat shows he doesn't understand it at all. Nor has he likely observed OCD or ADHD. He's wrong. Very wrong. Wrong enough I can't help but wonder what else he's wrong about. Maybe he's like a preacher I know who's rock solid on doctrine, but gets out-there on non-doctrinal issues. Can't say I have any great desire for a MacArthur study bible now, but I didn't really have one before.

 

[9Rock9]

I read that article. Although I disagree with his general, basic conclusion, Dr. John McArthur did speak some truth about how children are too often medicated far too much because of prescriptions from psychologists and psychiatrists.

Kinda where I stand. I'm ADHD, and while I do think it's very much a real thing, I am willing to acknowledge the detractors have a point about it being over-diagnosed.

 

[rockytopva]

This pastor is a false prophet. He needs to read John. Here is the church's website, if anyone wants to contact his church condemning his false teachings: Contact | Grace Community Church

John 9:1-3: "As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ Jesus answered, ‘It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.’"

In this day and time the main danger is more of a false profit!

 

[AlexB23]

In this day and time the main danger is more of a false profit!

Yes, the love of money/profits can be dangerous as well.

 

[rockytopva]

Yes, the love of money/profits can be dangerous as well.

I have been enjoying the ministry of India's Zac Poonen here lately, who lived a life very similar to the author of the Pilgrims Progress, John Bunyan. He therefore tells the story well... Also mentioning that John Bunyan had not theblove of money...

 

[AlexB23]

I have been enjoying the ministry of India's Zac Poonen here lately, who lived a life very similar to the author of the Pilgrims Progress, John Bunyan. He therefore tells the story well... Also mentioning that John Bunyan had not theblove of money...

I might try listening to him, but the rocket launch is more fascinating at the moment. But, I will check him out.

 

[rockytopva]

I might try listening to him, but the rocket launch is more fascinating at the moment. But, I will check him out.

I am a SpaceX fanatic and caught the California launch earlier in the day. With the launch delay I will be on my way to work with this one!

 

[AlexB23]

I am a SpaceX fanatic and caught the California launch earlier in the day. With the launch delay I will be on my way to work with this one!

Well, hopefully your work goes well. I am a general space/science fanatic myself, even though I have reservations (and a disdain) about Musk, but space itself is fascinating, regardless of who launches the rocket.