In honor of Global Black Mental Health Awareness Month, our youth and their leaders explored two themes: the historical likelihood of Jesus and his disciples being Black and brown, and the ways mental health conditions may appear in the Bible, according to scholars, psychologists, and interpreters.
To bring this conversation to life, Courtney Bundy, Director of Children, Youth, and Family Ministries, created a bulletin board outside the church office highlighting where and how mental health conditions may be represented in Scripture. Stop by to explore the display, and read below for a deeper look into their discussion.
Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD) can arise after prolonged or repeated interpersonal trauma, often involving feelings of abandonment, hypervigilance, emotional dysregulation, and difficulty forming trust.
- Some psychologists have observed that Hagar, the Egyptian servant of Sarah, displays signs that align with C-PTSD. In Genesis 16, she is forced into surrogacy and mistreated by Sarah, leading her to flee into the wilderness while pregnant (Gen. 16:6). Later, in Genesis 21:8–21, she is expelled with her son Ishmael into the desert again, this time nearly dying of thirst. Her despair (“Do not let me see the boy die”, Gen. 21:16) and isolation reflect trauma responses. Yet, in this trauma, she has a profound encounter with God, who she names El Roi, “the God who sees me” (Gen. 16:13), marking one of Scripture’s most tender portrayals of divine attention toward the traumatized.
ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) involves impulsivity, difficulty focusing, and sometimes hyperactivity. A common companion to ADHD is Emotional Dysregulation. These are strong, shifting emotional responses that can feel overwhelming.
- Some scholars and Christian psychologists have drawn parallels between these traits and Peter’s behavior in the New Testament. In Matthew 14:28–31, Peter impulsively jumps out of a boat to walk to Jesus but is quickly overtaken by fear. In John 18:10, he rashly cuts off a soldier’s ear. He proclaims undying loyalty to Jesus (Luke 22:33) but later denies Him three times in a moment of panic (Luke 22:54–62). These dramatic shifts in emotion and action show a pattern of reactive intensity, consistent with ADHD-related traits. Despite this, Peter becomes a foundational leader in the early church, showing how God works through even our most dysregulated selves.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is marked by chronic, excessive worry about everyday situations, often accompanied by restlessness or irritability. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) includes intrusive thoughts and the compulsive need to perform certain routines or actions to alleviate anxiety.
- Some Christian counselors and interpreters have seen Martha in Luke 10:38–42 as a strong example of this disorder. She is “worried and distracted by many things,” fretting over hospitality duties while her sister Mary sits at Jesus’ feet (v. 41). Her anxious need to manage the environment and her plea for Jesus to correct Mary show how worry dominates her thinking. Some believe this reflects a personality oriented toward control and perfectionism traits associated with both GAD and OCD. Yet, Jesus responds with gentle redirection, not shame: “Martha, Martha… only one thing is necessary” (v. 42).
Bipolar I Disorder involves alternating episodes of depression and mania and mania can include things like extreme energy, inflated self-perception, risky behavior, or intense focus. Schizoaffective Disorder includes symptoms of mood disorders along with hallucinations or delusions.
- Some mental health professionals and biblical scholars have suggested that Ezekiel’s intense visions and actions might be seen through these lenses. In Ezekiel 1, he describes surreal, symbolic visions of four-faced creatures and spinning wheels within wheels, which could align with psychosis or mania. He engages in dramatic symbolic acts, literally lying on his side for over a year (Ezekiel 4:4–6), cooking food over dung, and shaving his head with a sword, which has been interpreted by some as prophetic theater, but also possibly symptomatic behavior (Ezekiel 4:12,15; 5:1-4). His emotional extremes and visionary state seem to blur lines between inspiration and altered consciousness, raising the possibility that Ezekiel lived with a form of what today might be called a mood-psychotic disorder. And yet, through all of this, Ezekiel became one of the most powerful prophetic voices in Scripture. His visions, however strange, carried divine truth and show that even those who feel mentally unmoored can be chosen to carry sacred messages.
Cyclothymia is a mood disorder characterized by chronic emotional highs and lows that are less extreme than bipolar disorder but still disruptive. Anxious Attachment is a relational pattern involving fear of abandonment, emotional dependence, and unstable bonds.
- Some scholars and clinicians have pointed to King Saul’s behavioral patterns in 1 Samuel as suggestive of cyclothymic mood swings and attachment issues. He begins as humble and uncertain (1 Sam. 10:22), then shifts to passionate leadership. Later, his behavior grows erratic and paranoid, especially toward David, whom he alternately praises and tries to kill (1 Sam. 18–19). He exhibits jealousy, impulsivity, and deep insecurity in his relationships, including with Samuel. These traits may reflect an underlying mood disorder and attachment trauma, as Saul appears desperate to hold onto control, honor, and closeness, even as his emotional instability drives others away. I think it’s important to remember too that King Saul was a war hero, a man who led Israel through brutal battles and carried the psychological weight of violence and responsibility. Who wouldn’t be changed by such experiences. And yet, even with all of that, God chose him, and he was anointed, and he led a nation. Saul’s story reminds us that even those who struggle with emotional chaos or inner fear can rise to incredible places of leadership and purpose. His life may be tragic, but it is also deeply human, and in its complexity, it speaks to how God works through and within even our darkest battles.
Boanthropy is a rare psychological condition in which a person believes they are a cow or ox. It’s sometimes connected to Brief Psychotic Disorder (BPD), where a person experiences a sudden episode of delusion or disconnection from reality, often under stress or pressure.
- In Daniel 4, Nebuchadnezzar has a dream interpreted as a warning of his pride. After failing to heed it, he suddenly loses touch with reality: “He was driven away from people and ate grass like the ox” (Daniel 4:33). He lives like this for “seven periods of time” before recovering. Some scholars see this episode as symbolic of divine judgment; others, including a few psychologists, interpret it as a historical case of psychosis, possibly a mental break brought on by hubris and the weight of power. Upon restoration, Nebuchadnezzar praises God, suggesting the experience humbled and transformed him. He would go on to publicly acknowledge the sovereignty of God, saying, “Those who walk in pride he is able to humble” (Daniel 4:37). Nebuchadnezzar’s story reminds us that we are not defined by our lowest or most unwell moments, but by what comes after, and how we respond to grace when it meets us there.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition affecting communication, social interaction, and sensory processing. People with ASD may have focused interests, prefer structure, and approach life in uniquely literal or analytical ways.
- While Scripture doesn’t describe Matthew’s personality in depth, The Chosen series portrays him as someone with autistic traits that they showcase through his rigid routines, challenges with social cues for him, things like “reading a room” and sarcasm; but also his attention to detail, and sensory sensitivity. This artistic portrayal is supported by his role as a tax collector, a job requiring precision, math, and record-keeping. In Matthew 9:9, Jesus simply says, “Follow me,” and Matthew obeys, perhaps showing his need for clear instruction and deep loyalty once trust is formed. Many viewers with autism or neurodivergence have found this portrayal deeply affirming, reframing Matthew not as odd or flawed, but uniquely gifted and called.
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) involves persistent sadness, loss of interest, fatigue, and hopelessness, while Panic Disorder includes sudden, intense episodes of fear or anxiety (panic attacks).
- Many scholars and mental health experts have identified these patterns in the prophet Elijah, particularly in 1 Kings 19. After a great spiritual triumph over the prophets of Baal, Elijah is threatened by Queen Jezebel. He flees into the wilderness, collapses under a tree, and prays for death: “I have had enough, Lord… take my life” (1 Kings 19:4). He isolates himself, experiences exhaustion, and expresses feelings of uselessness. Later, he hides in a cave, and God meets him not through dramatic signs, but through “a still, small voice” (1 Kings 19:12). Elijah’s journey doesn’t just illustrate the crash that can follow intense exertion, or how divine care meets us where we are and with what we need but it teaches us the importance of asking for help and not suffering alone during our darkest moments. God sends an angel to provide food and rest, showing that care and support are vital in crisis (1 Kings 19:5-8). Despite his mental health struggles, Elijah goes on to renew his prophetic mission, anointing new leaders and continuing to guide Israel’s spiritual path!
