Thank you for your interest in the Veritas journal. We are very excited about this year’s theme, “Psychology & the Bible, The Doping of the Church.” In addressing such a personally and culturally relevant topic we are seeking to inform, encourage, and equip people with the truth of Jesus Christ.

Our belief is that the culture’s labels of mental illness (bipolar, depression, OCD) has been the understanding of many as to why they are struggling to live in this world. Sadly, we know that this type of thinking has infiltrated the church. Consequently, many Christians are living under the deception that managing their particular chemical imbalance is the only way of life for them.

Although the modern western culture has tried its best to label the struggles people commonly report, it has led many people into deep bondage. This bondage strips a person of their God-given freedom to do what is right, and instead leads them to believe the reason why they cannot do what is right is because they are suffering from some mental illness. What results is a life of hopelessness partly due to the deception that says, “I will never be a totally free and healthy person who is able to do what is right and feel good about it.”

One of the greatest joys of being a Christian is to know that you are right in God’s eyes. This knowledge cannot be grasped unless one comes face to face with the person of Jesus Christ, simultaneously seeing the sin that crucified Him and the freeing forgiveness that He now extends. Not knowing the forgiveness of the Lord, yet still desiring joy, people are left to ask the culture for an answer. The culture (drug companies) gladly provides, for a small fee (nearly $20 billion per year for drugs alone), a diagnosis of the life that does not know the joy of the Lord as a chemical imbalance.

Do you know of anyone who lacks the joy of the Lord and has sought relief from the culture? Are you one of those people? I want you to know that there is hope for everyone, especially those who have been led to believe there is something wrong with their brain.

This year Veritas will refute the lies of the culture, reveal the truth, reflect how the church has been affected by the cultural lies throughout history, relate the truth to men and women today, and rear the youth of a generation so they will not to not fall prey to deception.

May the truth change you!

"The Battle of Grass Versus Weeds"
The biblical and medical models are two very different paths with very different outcomes which require a decision. We are not suggesting that you terminate any treatment and/or medication program...We are only asking that you read with an open mind and see what God may be saying to you not only about your circumstance but how to live biblically in the midst of your circumstance.

"In Search of A Cure"
Management versus cure is the topic at hand. The question that should be asked is management versus cure of what? The “what” in this case are all the labels that we carry around whether it be depression, fear, addictions, anxiety, etc … Are these real behaviors that people exhibit? Yes, indeed. Can the medical community give people a medication to manage their condition, which actually works?

"Men & Their Problems, Can We Ever Build A Better Mousetrap?"
In times filled with such uncertainty and lack of security, we would be wise to consider the way in which we, as men, tend to deal with the problems of life. While we don’t like the discomfort...the Lord can use the stress of our situations to force us to evaluate the coping mechanisms that we normally take for granted.

"Stay Calm--HELP!"
“Unfortunately, it [fear] can also consume our hearts and minds.When this happens we start to look for relief in someone, or something, so we can feel better and back in control again…Some days we manage our fears well…But at other times we…“medicate” ourselves at the refrigerator door, the computer screen, or the medicine cabinet. 

2008-2009 Topics

"People: Just Another Problem To Managed?"
We as human beings are truly interesting creatures. We like to spend billions of dollars on scientific research to improve our lot in life. Whether it is medically, electronically, or mentally, we love to pursue the unattainable. However, when it comes to facing and dealing with personal issues, man appears to respond with “why bother?

Feedback Grace Brethren Church of Columbus
Copyright 2005 , All Rights Reserved
updated: 10/31/2008