John MacArthur Says Mental Illness Isn't Real | unCOMFORTABLE Podcast 217

This week, we discuss Pastor John MacArthur's controversial stance that mental illness isn't real, prompting important dialogue on faith and mental health during Mental Health Awareness Month.
DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the cast members and do not necessarily reflect the official position of Christ Community Church.

[@lisamarieharmon8585]

This comment is to the man on the left. I'm sorry. I am not familiar with this channel and don't know everybody's names. So, I'd like to comment about the idea of reluctance to medicate kids with ADHD. I was like you. I had no idea what ADHD was when my 3 year old son was showing the first signs. When he was 9, he was formally diagnosed and I was adamant that we would manage his symptoms and NOT medicate. I was whole heartedly against medication, mostly because I read literature from others who were against it. So I worked with his teachers and visited his school often, and helped him through without it. And he did okay. He made mostly C's and since I was not obsessed with high grades, I was okay with that, even though I knew he was very intelligent. When he got to high school, he started to struggle more and so I helped out more. He graduated and went on to college. That is where he hit his wall. He could not manage college while fighting against his ADHD symptoms. So for the first time in his life, he took Adderall. As an adult, taking ADHD medication for the first time and for the first time in his life, being able to manage school on his own and get the grades he was truly capable of, he told me this. It was the biggest mistake of his life that we did not get him medication sooner. He said, "Mom, I feel normal for the first time in my life!" There are a few aspects of having an ADHD brain that are beneficial sometimes....sometimes. But overall, people with ADHD are suffering. My son described to me what it was like to be in elementary school and have no idea why everyone else is getting up and lining up at the door, or for everyone else to be digging in their desk and not know what for. What's it like to see everyone start in on some work at their desk and you don't know what you are supposed to do? And sure, you could raise your hand but you have to ask ALL THE TIME and it's humiliating. ADHD kids that are not on medication feel stupid and often come to believe they are because of the situations they find themselves in. They are embarrassed on the regular. They are not learning to their capacity. Other kids often don't really like them. They feel frustration constantly. That's why some act out in anger. (Constant frustration is a horrible emotional state to be in.) They are confused. Medication helps these kids feel, act and think more like a healthy brain. (It's not JUST a matter of learning differently than others.) A child with a significant case of ADHD NEEDS medication! (You may have a very mild case as do I.) They will have better academic outcomes to be sure. However, better emotional and social outcomes are just as important. My son, now age 37, still struggles. Sometimes he takes meds and sometimes he doesn't. He's learned some coping skills. He did graduate college and has a good job. But he still suffers! I tell you, this. He would trade in his ADHD brain for a healthier functioning brain any day of the week. What John MacArthur said about mental illness was criminal in my opinion. He has guaranteed that thousands of people including children with these conditions will continue to suffer, fail to get the MEDICAL help they desperately need, and be socially stigmatized IN THE CHURCH!! I'm so ANGRY about it! and so should every Christian be. I'm also furious that more well known pastors have not spoken out against this foolishness. We all need to be brave enough to stand up and speak out for the weak and less fortunate. That includes people with the very real diagnoses of ADHD, PTSD, OCD, depression, and anxiety. Also, teachers and parents do not diagnose ADHD. Doctors do. A teacher may recommend to parents that their child be tested. Trust me, she knows! and when she does make a recommendation, she's trying to HELP that child! She is not "jumping on a bandwaggon". But only a doctor can diagnose ADHD and prescribe medication, of course.

[@ericwendt]

Very helpful insights, thanks! -The Man on the Left

[@natalieryan6026]

Idk if you or anyone knows the day before Mother's Day is National Birth Mother's Day! I like it because we technically aren't moms and should be recognized. So if anyone out there has ever placed a child for adoption HAPPY Birth Mother's Day!❤

[@Jess-re9jg]

Aw I love that. Thanks for sharing, I love knowing things like this to remember. ❤️❤️❤️

[@natalieryan6026]

​@Jess-re9jg your welcome it's something that unless you are apart of the process then no one knows. I always post on my fb page about it and the fact of the proud decision I made as his Mother

[@Turbettma]

I always find it interesting how vociferously people defend the legitimacy of mental illness in opposition to the truth and veracity of God's Word.

[@JimiSurvivor]

Where does the Bible say that every organ can be diseased or disordered EXCEPT the human brain? Isn't it logical that, if the Fall affected the whole person it affected the physical brain too and, since the brain is the instrument of thought and emotions malfunction in brain chemistry would necessarily result in disordered thought and emotions? When people have strokes or traumatic brain injury this affects neurological functioning and we do not blame those changes on them.

[@JimiSurvivor]

You are one of those who thinks that the Brain alone is exempted from the effects of the curse. What about babies who experience pre- or post-natal HYPOXIA results in brain damage? If the brain can be damaged on a large scale why not on a smaller scale? What about EPILEPSY? People have observed seizures since Rome. Julius Caesar had epilepsy. Does the Bible ever say people cannot inherit disorders? Bipolar Disorder has been observed since the Second Century and the description of the symptoms is identical to what people experience now. Where do you get your belief that your position is from "THE BIBLE" Where does the Bible say this?

[@chili-r2f]

@@JimiSurvivor exactly

[@xtrwombat4876]

shocking a church called grace community church doesnt have much grace.

[@xtrwombat4876]

@@JimiSurvivor not to mention we have an entire field of research called neurology that studies brain activity and the nervous system. but john and his church believe its all some big conspiracy from big pharma to get kids medicated

[@ChristianVideos-Eng-Port]

I love to listen to John MacArthur, as he always base his sermons on the Bible, whereas on this podcast they didn’t mention anything about the Word of God… and then they went on and on about MacArthur being opinionated…?? I think these 3 people were VERY opinionated !! Where is God’s wisdom? John MacArthur didn’t say anything offensive. He simply said there has been too much emphasis on ‘medication’

[@nalabishop402]

God's wisdom doesnt reside with hucksters.

[@Ofncc24]

He was spot on! So many want to put psychological psyco babbling into the church and biblical truth. Most of this started entering into main steam and the church in the 60's and 70's. Notice the young ones don't agree . They have been brought up with this psyco babbling mixed in with God's word.

[@Turbettma]

(20:44) Shock therapy? Yeah, they still do that. Currently. In hospitals.

[@Turbettma]

No discussion of Biblical theology. No discussion of the promises found in God's word. Tells you what you need to know.

[@Turbettma]

Either scripture is supreme (Col 1:16) or it is not.

[@CarolynCoy]

Totally agree with John MacArthur. Just another gateway to subscribe costly toxic drugs😡