In the Fellowship of His Suffering

Schizophrenia is often considered one of the most destructive forms of mental illness. Elahe Hessamfar's personal experience with her daughter's illness has led her to ask some pressing and significant questions about the cause and nature of schizophrenia and the Church's role in its treatment. With a candid and revealing look at the history of mental illness, "In the Fellowship of His Suffering" describes schizophrenia as a variation of human expression. Hessamfar uses a deeply theological rather than pathological approach to interpret the schizophrenic experience and the effect it has on both the patients and their families. Effectively drawing on the Bible as a source of knowledge for understanding mental illness, she offers a reflective yet innovative view of whether the Church could or should intervene in such encounters and what such an intervention might look like. Hessamfar's comprehensive work will provoke powerful responses from anyone interested in the prominent social issue of mental illness. Her portrayal of the raging debate between treating "insanity" either pastorally or medically will enthral readers, be they Christians, medical students or those in the field of psychiatry and social sciences. Elahe Hessamfar is a former business executive and has a PhD in Divinity from the University of Aberdeen in Scotland. She has an MA in Biblical Studies from the Reformed Theological Seminary, an MS in Computer Science from the George Washington University and a BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Kansas. "A truly remarkable and unforgettable book. By narrating life with her daughter with a crisp accuracy and brutal honesty, Elahe Hessamfar brings before us some hard theological questions. Her analysis is full of insight about how we might think about the shape of Christian hope and witness in the shadow of such threatening conditions." Brian Brock, University of Aberdeen. "Hessamfar has brought together theology, psychiatry, pastoral care and personal experience in a book that gives us a foundation for wise care and ministry to a misunderstood group. Her work is crammed with possible application." Edward Welch, Christian Counselling and Educational Foundation CCEF.

Publisher -

Author(s) - Elahe Hessamfar | Elahe Hessamfar | Elahe Hessamfar | Elahe Hessamfar | Elahe Hessamfar | Elahe Hessamfar | Elahe Hessamfar | Elahe Hessamfar

Paperback

Published Date -

ISBN - 9780718893828

Dimensions - 22.9 x 15.2 x 2 cm

Page Count - 388