Abstract
This paper explores and develops a theological perspective on taking and receiving medication. It argues that the task of prescribing and administering psychopharmaceutical drugs is a thoroughly theological enterprise and should be looked at and practiced accordingly. The paper presents a theological anthropology that opens up space for rethinking the role of medication not only in relation to therapeutic intervention, but in relation to the chief end of human beings: to glorify God and live with God forever Drawing on theology and the narratives of people living with mental health challenges, the paper seeks to facilitate a movement from neurons to souls: a movement that realigns the goals of prescribing and opens up space to rethink the nature of "symptoms" and the ultimate intentions of the psychopharmacological enterprise.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 302-318 |
| Number of pages | 17 |
| Journal | Christian bioethics |
| Volume | 24 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| Early online date | 26 Oct 2018 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Dec 2018 |
Keywords
- pharmacological healing
- pharmacomania
- psychotropic medication
- severe mental health challenges
- soul
- symptoms
- theological anthropology
