Overview

Full Product Details

9780648145769

Table of Contents

Reviews

"""Pills or prayers? Geoffrey Lilburne, minister and educator, offers his extended reflection on the experiences of depression; and shares his experiences of a lifetime of living with a mood disorder. He calls for a holistic approach that involves not only medical science but serious engagement with a person's faith journey. This memoir may encourage others to tell their stories as well as help people to respond with sensitivity and encouragement."" Dr Nancy Ault, Senior Lecturer in Practical Theology, Murdoch University ""Mental illness is no longer the taboo it once was, but an awareness - and often an acknowledgement - of how debilitating and destructive it can be can still not be assumed. We need to hear the stories of those who have suffered its horrors. This is perhaps as true in the church as in any other domain in contemporary culture. Geof Lilburne has provided one such story - a deeply revealing, searingly honest account of his experience of depression and his attempts to negotiate his way through it within the context of Christian faith. With his theologian's wisdom and an academic's critical skills, he provides us with a particular combination of insights into the nature of depression. He offers a perspective on the strengths and weaknesses of the ways it has been medicalised and treated. He opens horizons on how faith and prayer weave their way in and out of the life of the mentally ill Christian. This book will resonate as much with those who have suffered depression as with those who have journeyed with them in their suffering. It is also a book that those who have no acquaintance with depression would do well to read. It would be another small step in breaking down the ignorance of the realities of depression. I'm sure that all who read it will be grateful that Geof has written it."" Dr Geoff Thompson, Co-ordinator of Studies, Systematic Theology, Pilgrim Theological College ""Geoffrey Lilburne offers a powerful account of living with depression and the reclaiming of joy. Blending historical developments of chemical theories and treatments for depression with his existential and spiritual journey, he offers readers an intimacy with sadness, doubt, tenacity and devotion. His openhearted spirit of inquiry is challenging, revealed through many poignant stories of distressing times. Yet what shines through is Geof's willingness to honour the fullness of his life as lived, to see beyond the obvious, to retrieve what despair could have him forget, and to go towards the future with trust and faith. Along the way he enriches his understandings of prayer, devotion, God and spirituality. He acknowledges the significance of fulfilling work, creative and enriching interpersonal relationships and supportive communities in the return to joy. Moving and poetic."" Dr Ian Percy, Family Therapist, Perth WA"

""Pills or prayers? Geoffrey Lilburne, minister and educator, offers his extended reflection on the experiences of depression; and shares his experiences of a lifetime of living with a mood disorder. He calls for a holistic approach that involves not only medical science but serious engagement with a person's faith journey. This memoir may encourage others to tell their stories as well as help people to respond with sensitivity and encouragement."" Dr Nancy Ault, Senior Lecturer in Practical Theology, Murdoch University ""Mental illness is no longer the taboo it once was, but an awareness - and often an acknowledgement - of how debilitating and destructive it can be can still not be assumed. We need to hear the stories of those who have suffered its horrors. This is perhaps as true in the church as in any other domain in contemporary culture. Geof Lilburne has provided one such story - a deeply revealing, searingly honest account of his experience of depression and his attempts to negotiate his way through it within the context of Christian faith. With his theologian's wisdom and an academic's critical skills, he provides us with a particular combination of insights into the nature of depression. He offers a perspective on the strengths and weaknesses of the ways it has been medicalised and treated. He opens horizons on how faith and prayer weave their way in and out of the life of the mentally ill Christian. This book will resonate as much with those who have suffered depression as with those who have journeyed with them in their suffering. It is also a book that those who have no acquaintance with depression would do well to read. It would be another small step in breaking down the ignorance of the realities of depression. I'm sure that all who read it will be grateful that Geof has written it."" Dr Geoff Thompson, Co-ordinator of Studies, Systematic Theology, Pilgrim Theological College ""Geoffrey Lilburne offers a powerful account of living with depression and the reclaiming of joy. Blending historical developments of chemical theories and treatments for depression with his existential and spiritual journey, he offers readers an intimacy with sadness, doubt, tenacity and devotion. His openhearted spirit of inquiry is challenging, revealed through many poignant stories of distressing times. Yet what shines through is Geof's willingness to honour the fullness of his life as lived, to see beyond the obvious, to retrieve what despair could have him forget, and to go towards the future with trust and faith. Along the way he enriches his understandings of prayer, devotion, God and spirituality. He acknowledges the significance of fulfilling work, creative and enriching interpersonal relationships and supportive communities in the return to joy. Moving and poetic."" Dr Ian Percy, Family Therapist, Perth WA

Pills or prayers? Geoffrey Lilburne, minister and educator, offers his extended reflection on the experiences of depression; and shares his experiences of a lifetime of living with a mood disorder. He calls for a holistic approach that involves not only medical science but serious engagement with a person's faith journey. This memoir may encourage others to tell their stories as well as help people to respond with sensitivity and encouragement. Dr Nancy Ault, Senior Lecturer in Practical Theology, Murdoch University Mental illness is no longer the taboo it once was, but an awareness - and often an acknowledgement - of how debilitating and destructive it can be can still not be assumed. We need to hear the stories of those who have suffered its horrors. This is perhaps as true in the church as in any other domain in contemporary culture. Geof Lilburne has provided one such story - a deeply revealing, searingly honest account of his experience of depression and his attempts to negotiate his way through it within the context of Christian faith. With his theologian's wisdom and an academic's critical skills, he provides us with a particular combination of insights into the nature of depression. He offers a perspective on the strengths and weaknesses of the ways it has been medicalised and treated. He opens horizons on how faith and prayer weave their way in and out of the life of the mentally ill Christian. This book will resonate as much with those who have suffered depression as with those who have journeyed with them in their suffering. It is also a book that those who have no acquaintance with depression would do well to read. It would be another small step in breaking down the ignorance of the realities of depression. I'm sure that all who read it will be grateful that Geof has written it. Dr Geoff Thompson, Co-ordinator of Studies, Systematic Theology, Pilgrim Theological College Geoffrey Lilburne offers a powerful account of living with depression and the reclaiming of joy. Blending historical developments of chemical theories and treatments for depression with his existential and spiritual journey, he offers readers an intimacy with sadness, doubt, tenacity and devotion. His openhearted spirit of inquiry is challenging, revealed through many poignant stories of distressing times. Yet what shines through is Geof's willingness to honour the fullness of his life as lived, to see beyond the obvious, to retrieve what despair could have him forget, and to go towards the future with trust and faith. Along the way he enriches his understandings of prayer, devotion, God and spirituality. He acknowledges the significance of fulfilling work, creative and enriching interpersonal relationships and supportive communities in the return to joy. Moving and poetic. Dr Ian Percy, Family Therapist, Perth WA

Author Information

Geoffrey Lilburne is a Minister of the Uniting Church in Australia, a theologian and poet, with qualifications in counselling and professional supervision. A retired lecturer in theology, he is a Uniting Church minister in active ministry with a rural congregation in Western Australia. Geoffrey is married to Sophia Lizares; between them they have five grand children, who are scattered in various corners of the globe.

Tab Content 6

Countries Available