on satan, demons, and psychiatry -- a book review

Ragy Girgis's On Satan, Demons, and Psychiatry offers an in-depth analysis of one of the most neglected topics in biblical study -- the way in which mental illness is commonly associated with psychosis, and how that association often influences the way in which we read biblical narratives.

The Bible is replete, according to Girgis, with narratives that speak to themes commonly associated with mental illness -- severe depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, for examples.  In Girgis' reading of the Jonah story, for one example, he finds Jonah suffering from symptoms often associated with narcissism personality disorder.

Girgis is careful to see these mental disorders as part of the human story -- one that lives and breathes even in such an ancient text as the Bible.  Girgis therefore concludes by normalizing these disorders and finding support for their treatment in modern psychiatry. 

It's a worthy endeavor, but I fear Girgis ends up using the biblical text for modern purposes, rather than allowing these ancient texts to do the work for which they were written.  For that reason, On Satan, Demons and Psychiatry left me wondering if he missed so much else that could have been said. 

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I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review here.