John MacArthur claims mental illness doesn't exist

John MacArthur had a highly misinformed and dangerous take on mental illness two weeks ago during a Q&A panel with several other pastors. He claimed that all mental illness is a “noble lie”, specifically saying that there is no such thing as PTSD, ADHD, and OCD. I understand that MacArthur is elderly, but he has been saying these things for years and I think it’s finally time that he got significant pushback from scientific studies and literature. He has an enormous platform, and if they are going to continue to publicly platform him, he will be publicly criticized. These ideas cause people to suffer needlessly, not seek help when warranted, and shame others for their struggles.
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00:00 Introduction
00:53 MacArthur’s thoughts and initial response
05:39 What is PTSD according to research?
08:14 MacArthur’s solutions vs. other solutions
11:52 PTSD is not simply "grief"
15:41 Does medication help or hurt?
18:46 ACE scores
24:44 I'm not being ageist
27:57 Is he really protecting children?
32:10 John Calvin quote
32:26 My testimony
38:17 Why does this matter?
39:32 Concluding thoughts
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Books mentioned: “The Body Keeps the Score” by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, “Anxious For Nothing” by John MacArthur

[dustinsegers]

Good video. Indeed, JMac has been saying stuff like this for years; but was slightly more diplomatic and careful with his words in preceding decades. I’m Calvinistic and have appreciated much of what he’s said, but he completely blew it on this one. The book he quoted is from the 1950s, and yes, you can find a few modern psychiatrists and psychologists that disagree with their own profession, but you can find that in any profession (I work in healthcare and see it all the time). I was a pastor for 21 years, and I have witnessed firsthand the damaging effects of unmedicated church members with symptoms or formal diagnoses of bipolar, schizophrenia, PTSD, OCD, and ADHD. Moreover, it’s not true that there is no objective evidence whatsoever of some of these mental illnesses: functional MRI scans demonstrate that various areas of the brain in people with these illnesses functions very differently from the neurotypical brain. Finally, PTSD definitely isn’t merely “guilt”. I was abused horribly for over a decade when I was a child and I have zero guilt re: that period of my life, but plenty of trauma to process due to cPTSD. I thank God for access to both licensed Christian counselors and the appropriate use of medication as needed.

[tombigger]

IT SEEMS YOU EXPERIENCED EXTREME EMOTIONAL PAIN GROWING UP

[kathybj]

Since Costi Hinn was there, that means he believes this also? I really like Costi so that really saddens me.

[adamzaslavsky]

He has no clearly defined doctrine of common grace which is typical of his generation of conservative evangelicals. The findings of modern psychology were seen to be antagonistic to the faith once delivered to the saints . More work needs to be done on the relationship of common grace to pastoral work and the care of souls. Nobody denies common grace when you’re having a heart attack, only when you’re depressed or suicidal.

[kathybj]

He sounds very much like a Pentecostal who blames everything on lack of faith and lack of speaking in tongues.

[tombigger]

YES WE NEED ADDITIONAL HELP...ALLL OF US.
YOU ARE A GOOD KID...AND SO IS JOHN MACARTHER❤

[Saint.questions]

Preach sis, I was dx prsd 10 years ago and frankly I don't think God would have let it happen if it wasn't so. The church is woefully unprepared for these very real issues. Thank you for sharing your story with us and speaking out about this issue. It has motivated and inspired me. And I'm sure many others. Many of the christian mental health forums I'm in, I've read stories that people are sooo greatful for the meds because they don't believe they would have been able to recieve the gospel in there states before them. It really can save lives.

[tombigger]

FORGIVENESS IS NOT AVAILABLE IN THE
FALSE CULT " CHURCH"
READ THE BIBLE

[yoyocswpg]

I once told the elders at my previous church that Charles Spurgeon had depression. U know what they said? Spurgeon is the prince of preachers so the devil wants to attack him a lot harder😅

[JonathanHallyburtonMusic]

I have loved John MacArthur and his preaching for many years, but since COVID he’s gone more and more extreme unfortunately 😩😩

[amadeagottlieb]

He may be referring to the fact that diagnosis of mental illness is subjective. There are no objective screening tests for mental illnesses, like lab tests, MRIs, etc. Classification of symptoms is subjective, even if collectively agreed on. I think he's being moronic and clearly hasn't thought through what he is saying, but the field of psychiatry has serious shortcomings .

[kathybj]

Allie Beth Stuckey is also a Calvinist and thinks meds for mental issues make everything worse!

[nmvzvpe]

Have You Read The Holy Bible . And Do You BELIEVE WHAT YOU READ . I can Tell You You are of This World. And it is passing Away. .. No one should Have too Tell You This . And Science.
Is what Lost People Read To Try to Found A Lope Hole . ONLY THE TRUTH CAN SET YOU FREE. .JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONLY WAY . PRAY PRAY PRAY .

[willp.]

MacArthur is a Calvinist. He doesn't even understand the Bible correctly.

[tombigger]

DO YOU REALIZE YOU ARE ARGUING WITH A CAMERA?
A MIRROŔ ?

[aohl]

So he quotes a couple of sources to support him .. but ignores a tsunami of supporting evidence for the opposite. He is a very arrogant man..

[adamzaslavsky]

He has no clearly defined doctrine of common grace which is typical of his generation of conservative evangelicals. The findings of modern psychology were seen to be antagonistic to the faith once delivered to the saints . More work needs to be done on the relationship of common grace to pastoral work and the care of souls. Nobody denies common grace when you’re having a heart attack, only when you’re depressed or suicidal.