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Editor's Introduction |
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A Season of Significant Change/Issue Introduction
by James Kenneth Echols
Click here to read about significant changes coming to this journal.
In this issue:
Mental illness and its various manifestations have dominated the news in recent months ranging from the Newtown, CT. killings to the politicization of actress Ashley Judd’s previous struggle with depression to the suicide of Pastor Rick Warren’s son, Matthew. This issue focuses on mental illness in light of the ELCA’s new Social Message, The Body of Christ and Mental Illness. A special word of gratitude is expressed to Kaari M. Reierson, an ELCA pastor and former editor of the Journal of Lutheran Ethics, who collaborated with the editor on the publication of this issue. |
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Mental Illness |
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Mental Illness: A Personal Journey
by Miriam M. K. Bunge
Miriam M. K. Bunge tells the honest story of her battle with obsessive compulsive disorder, depression, and bipolar II disorder. Even after years of being hospitalized, medicated, and treated with electroconvulsive therapy, Bunge is able to count her blessings and lean on God and encourages others struggling with mental illness to seek the help they need. |
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Mental Illness and ELCA Rostered Leaders
by Carol L. Schickel
Carol Schickel examines the importance of health and self-care in rostered leaders and encourages pastors to take advantage of the ELCA’s many resources for healthy living. She uses the theme of “nourishment” to create a sense of community in God’s care. |
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Mental Illness, The Military and the Church’s Ministry
by Joe Schrock
The high rate of suicide, depression, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder among veterans is a real and ongoing issue, but “even as it is lifted up as a major concern, it gets dropped again.” The military does not always have the resources to provide treatment for mental illness among veterans, and Chaplain Joe Schrock calls upon the church to fill the gaps and create an effective, healing ministry. |
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The Body of Christ and Mental Illness
by Cherlyne V. Beck
Cherlyne Beck, the ELCA’s new Program Director for Disability Ministries, offers a hopeful and honest look at the new ELCA social message: Body of Christ and Mental Illness. Beck celebrates the message’s urging to “open the door to conversations throughout our church” and encourages Lutherans to embrace the challenge and excitement. |
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Ethics of Inclusion – Statements on Mental Illness and Disability
by Kaari M. Reierson
A social document addressing mental illness is not unique to the ELCA. Kaari Reierson provides a comprehensive look at several major American church bodies and their respective statements on mental illness. Reierson’s comparison touches on important similarities and differences between the statements, uplifting common themes and examining imagery and language. |
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Book Reviews |
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Moral Issues and Christian Responses
review by David Pfrimmer
Moral Issues and Christian Responses is a very comprehensive and practical one-volume introduction to the field of Christian ethics. This version, updated from their 2002 edition, brings together many of the well-known thinkers in the field from a wide variety of perspectives. Likewise it also covers the range of hot ethical topics of general interest to both students and others. |
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Triune Atonement: Christ’s Healing for Sinners, Victims, and the Whole of Creation
review by Kevin Considine
Andrew Sung Park is one of a handful of theologians in the U.S. who have tried to bring the Korean understanding of han into Christian doctrine. Here, in his most recent book, he continues his work with han by bringing it into dialogue with the role of the cross in God’s saving work. |
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