Sunday, January 29, 2012

Spiritual Depression, 'Men as Trees Walking'






The following is a brief discussion of the sermon by Martyn Lloyd-Jones in a series on 'Spiritual Depression'. Let me from the outset extent grace to those who suffered depression in the wake of severe life circumstances, or struggle with chronic or recurrent depression exacerbated by a physical, even a genetic predisposition to the condition. I have been there personally and know just how much we all need grace; I've also worked as a therapist with many afflicted with depression. Whatever the causes are, the point is not to pass judgement of any kind - the article discussed here maintains a focus on spiritual causes, ramafications and the scriptural 'way out'.

'Men as trees walking' - the title is of a sermon on the topic of spiritual depression - Martyn Lloyd - Jones continues to tackle the issue of the state of misery not uncommon among believers.
I have to admit, the use of the story of the 2-step healing of the blind man here surprised me (Mark 8).

The author uses the illustration of partial blindness to explain the state of some believers who are robbed, in a sense, of the full vision afforded by the gospel. He conceptualises some Christians as suffering a 'lack of clarity' - incidentally, also arousing a sense of uncertainty in those who attempt to work out whether such a person is really a believer or not - 'they are as troubled about themselves as Christians are about them'.

Unlike some Christians who don't fully get the concept of justification by faith; it is argued that these guys are clear about the whole point of their inability to save themselves. However, while to them Christ is the saviour, they "do not see the necessity of the rebirth". The second point the author makes perhaps follows from the first; their heart is not fully engaged with the core Christian message; thirdly, it follows that their will is divided between following and not following.

So, to further refine the profile of the 'hazy-visioned'; the causes posed in this chapter include: a usual objection by these persons to clear-cut definitions - 'they dislike clarity and certainty'. They may also not accept the full authority and teaching of the scriptures, and in turn they are invariably not interested in doctrine, or they show a failure to take the doctrines in their right order. It's argued that doctrine is central to a firm grasp of the faith, we can't afford to get it wrong, or incomplete for that matter. Often one wants to enjoy something, before really grasping it in it's fullness - take for example the time where you first believed, it may have been an overwhelming time of joy, yet too quickly, the blanks are filled in with our own assumptions (about God and in turn about doctrine), we substitute what seems right to us for complete truth, or perhaps we're too quick to accept what others around us believe.

I am not sure whether these points are causes or perhaps mere descriptions of aspects of a person who is indeed in a state of loss as to what constitutes their beliefs, they are 'believers' yet at a crucial level face spiritual emptiness. Causes, or descriptions, I would have to agree, from previous personal experience, with these observations, I was young in the faith then, I knew enough 'about God', but in the absence of a relationship with God, in a sense I could only 'see men as trees walking'.

Martyn Lloyd-Jones proposes that curing the hazy spiritual vision is first to acknowledge the lack of clarity, then to honestly seek in hope and expectation the Lord's complete cure - just as the blind man answered the Lord's question: "I see men as trees walking" - so we are called to seek the truth whatever it costs. We can not afford to claim that we see clearly when we see only hazy figures - life is not meant to be spent in uncertainty. God is faithful to complete the healing if we submit our true state to Him. He is able - and when we ask - we can expect that He is leading us to clear truth.

Image: "Men as trees walking" - the Artrage Gallery

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Depression, Spiritual

In the sermon 'The True Foundation', Martyn Lloyd Jones uncovers a major issue at the core of overcoming the state of spiritual depression. He argues that as believers, the 'joy of salvation' and the 'the joy of our lord' is ours - so then it is a contradiction for us to be 'bound up in shallows and in miseries'*. So if that is you, you may rightly ask, why am not joyful when I am a believer?

Let me comment from the outset that the Depression can be a problem independent of spiritual causes - what I am trying to say is that some people suffer depression as a result of severe circumstances, a chemical imbalance or a physical predisposition. The content of this section is not intended for those, let us consider spiritual aspects here which commonly cause this state. 

Martyn Lllod argues that many Christians are in a state of depression because they have never understood the point of their salvation; and if they truly did, they would not be stuck in the darkness of depression. He explains that many Christians focus on their journey of sanctification, losing sight of the first and more crucial concept of justification. He refers the readers to John Wesley as a prime example of someone who was living the life of service and good works, never having experienced the joy of his salvation, never having received the truth of justification by faith and thus struggling to find joy in his own works. He is speaking to those who try to earn God's favor, essentially to justify themselves in God's eyes by their own righteousness (and they may well be leading lives that are righteous). They don't really relate to justification (I add here, by Christ's faith not our own), because they do not see a need for it! they are caught up in their own attempts and efforts of getting right with God, (some even miss the point of the need for redemption since they are already 'righteous'). The author explains that a preoccupation with sanctification before coming to terms with justification, leads to a perversion of 'the law' as an instrument for attaining righteousness when it was intended by God as a means to further the way of salvation. 

Why don't some get justification by faith? Perhaps there is an absence of a conviction for sin (they don't think of themselves as 'sinners'); as the author stresses, 'you must be made miserable before you can know true christian joy' - no -this assertion does not stand in contradiction to the goal at hand of overcoming the misery of depression - yet it is at the heart of joy to know misery first. In other words, the joy of salvation can only be perceived in the wake of a personal conviction of the misery of our helplessness under the yoke of sin. The words of Simeon in the temple referring to Jesus may be describing exactly that: 'this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel'. The author sums this up: 'there is no rising again until there has been a preliminary fall.' Now, if you've been brought up in a "Christian" family, then you may be under this illusion that somehow because you may have led a sheltered life, you've never really been "a sinner". I have heard some express their envy at people who were redeemed from a 'life of sin' - unwittingly admitting that they don't see their state as in need of redemption - the comparison and measure becomes 'me vs other people', rather than 'me vs the law of God'. I was there at some point of my journey before God opened my eyes. So, yes we wake up to the fact that "There is none righteous, no not one, all have sinned and come short of the glory of God". First: salvation, justification through Christ alone - nothing to do with our earning favor. It follows therefore: who can possibly be short of joy when they realise the free gift which we could not possibly earn? Nobody is ever good enough, He alone is good enough.

Martyn Lloyd presents this as truly basic, yet remarkably a crucial corner stone of the faith that every believer must come to terms with. His chapter is a well presented outline of the connection between missing the whole point of justification by faith and a state of spiritual depression - doctrinally and experientially makes a whole lot of sense to me.


* quote, Shakespeare.

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Depression - Introduction from a biblical perspective

The next series of posts will be dedicated to the topic of Depression; specifically they are based on a series of sermons published in the book 'Spiritual Depression: it's Causes and Cures' by Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones. I have been going through the collection and I am finding the works exceedingly insightful; just so that you don't think it's just me, a review by George Verwer on the cover reads: 'One of the most outstanding books that has ever been written'.  Having personal experience with the dark foe myself, as well as my experience as a therapist, I can say that the book offers a great exposition of the issues involved. I hope you find the brief summaries of value and I do hope they will inspire you to read the completed work.


The author starts by drawing our attention in the opening sermon to the prevalent presence of the problem of depression in the biblical text; in the narratives as well as the teaching. The opening of the topic is set in Psalm 42, where the psalmist describes his experience: "Why art though cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance" (v5) and "Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise Him, who is the health of my countenance and my God." (v11)

The reader is entreated to maintain focus on the biblical teaching, (as opposed to getting too absorbed in the illustrations) - it is pointed out that while the biblical narratives and illustrations are valuable within themselves here, one is at risk of 'coveting other people's experiences' and missing the teaching at the heart of the story. The example I can think of here is David's experience and how his depression was manifested and resolved in response to his circumstances.

So, we all know that depression is described in the biblical text in many contexts; it remains to be said that an unresolved condition of depression is poor witness for the faith - or at least an indication that something is amiss; 'a depressed Christian is a contradiction in terms' and, yes, 'a very poor recommendation for the gospel'. Indeed the psalmist looks on beyond his current state and declares "...I shall praise Him for the help of His countenance"; and it is here, exactly at this place of God's presence that the author suggests is the source of recovery.

This introductory chapter covers some main considerations when dealing with the topic of depression - basic stuff; psychologically, spiritually. Here the author acknowledges that some may have a physical predisposition to the condition. I should add, here that family history, and a history of medicating the condition is possibly an indication of a medical basis; (although much suggests that this is not necessarily a cause - as much as a contributor to other factors).

The individual's temperament is one factor; here the author stresses that although we are all saved the 'same way', we are predisposed to appraise and experience life differently. Here he rightly observes that introverts are more likely to experience depression and have more of a hard time coping with it. Alas, we introverts have the burden of introspection (along with over analysing, self-blaming, judging oneself to death! - yeah indeed to morbid proportions at times). A distinction is drawn here between healthy self-examination and introspection. Yet, it is reassuring and hopeful that we introverts are in good company here; think: Jeremiah, John the Baptist, Paul and many others, such as Charles Spurgeon. We introverts are also predisposed to suffering a reaction to remarkable experiences (be they spiritual or a sudden change in circumstances) - think Elijah under the juniper tree.

The devil is also often at the centre of a depressive episode - certainly more than a bystander and if we are aware of it, the adversary of man is regularly a cause of spiritual depression in a believer's life.

Then there is unbelief. Our unbelief - the psalmist is talking to himself when he says "...hope thou in God". Martyn distinguishes this type of dialogue with the self from the tendency towards introspection discussed earlier. He suggests that introspection is akin to listening to oneself; while the helpful thing would be to address oneself as the psalmist demonstrates. At the heart of the believer's existence is reminding ourselves 'who God is, what God is , what God has done and what God has pledged Himself to do'; then defy all and say with the psalmist: 'I shall yet praise Him, who is the health of my countenance and my God.'


Post based on a sermon entitled 'General Consideration' published in the Book "Spiritual Depression: It's causes and Cures" by Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones.