Medication for Christians?

by Tom Wikstrom
August 1993

"Should a Christian take antidepressants, medication for anxiety or anti psychotic medication?" "Am I a failure, weak or morally inferior if I 'need' to take medications?" "If I take medications, then am I a 'bad' witness?"

These are some of the questions and statements I hear frequently from people who do '"need" medication but are reluctant to take it.

It seems to me that underlying·these questions is the belief that if I take medications, especially for improving mood or treating anxiety, than I am somehow less spiritual or have less faith. The idea that God's grace would, or could, be mediated on a natural level through material (in this case, manufactured chemicals) seems to not be considered. These same people are the ones who insist on the "prayer only" approach to treat their depressions, panic attacks or psychosis, and view medication as unspiritual.

Yet, if I ask them, "If a Christian has a broken leg isn't OK for him/her to wear a cast?" In this case they answer, "Yes, it is Okay." Why the difference between these two responses? Why is it "OK" for a Christian with a broken leg to wear a cast, but not "OK" for a Christian to take antidepressants?

I believe the answer lies in the fact that we (in the western world) have an unnatural split in our minds between natural and supernatural, i.e., material and spirit. Somehow grace being mediated through matter is thought to be less spiritual!

The answer to this split in the mind of Western man is, I believe, the miracle and mystery of the Incarnation. If God so deigns to come as our Savior in and through matter (including chemical), then can we not believe that he has so created the natural order that His grace and healing can easily be mediated through a natural level if He so wills?

I am not arguing for the use of medications in all circumstances, but if medications are indicated, I do not feel that Christians should feel guilty or somehow less faithful or spiritual if they take the recommended medications. Indeed this is God's grace and healing in and through matter.

Tom Wikstrom, a psychiatrist for ten years, has a private practice in Jacksonville, FL and al.so is a part–time staff member at CHM.