Book Review: Depression, Anxiety and the Christian Life, Introduction by J.I. Packer, Notes by Michael S. Lundy

There has been numerous books written on depression from a Christian perspective, some good, some outstanding.  Depression, Anxiety and the Christian Life: Practical Wisdom from Richard Baxter Introduction by J.I. Packer, Notes by Michael S. Lundy is one of the outstanding works. Within its pages the reader will find a wealth of practical wisdom dealing with depression and anxiety from the pen of Richard Baxter.

The preface and first chapter are authored by Packer (doesn't get any better, right?). Packer offers a definition of depression, such as one can be given, and advocates for modern day readers to take another look at Richard Baxter (1615-1691) as his wisdom and advice still apply today.

Packer authors a brief biography of Baxter in chapter 1. It focuses on why we should look to Baxter for help in this area. Baxter was fully acquainted with depression which he saw much of in his flock during his time as a pastor. A prolific author, he wrote often on the subject of depression in various
works.

In chapter two co-author Dr. Lundy brings a modern day touch to the subject as well as bringing to light Baxter's counsel and why it still applies today.

Part two of the book delves into Baxter's advice to the depressed and anxious. Taken from three different works, updated and annotated for modern readers, they still retain the flavor of Baxter's authorship.

What stood out to me was how Baxter's advice was so practical. Far from a stoic and analytical appraisal of the issues, his counsel is a no nonsense approach with a Biblical foundation. Baxter had years of experience  dealing with the anxious and depressed. Combined with his deep understanding of Scripture has made him a viable source for counsel on these matters. Not only for the suffers, but for those who are attempting them through their suffering.

It is true that nothing changes under the sun. Baxter's counsel is as wise, comforting and as Biblical as when it was written in the 17th century.

Crossway has provided a complimentary copy of this book through Beyond the Page. Thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thoughts on Joy from Baxter

I desire the dejected Christian to consider, that by his heavy and uncomfortable life, he seemeth to the world to accuse God and His service, as if he openly called Him a rigorous, hard, unacceptable Master, and His work a sad unpleasant thing. I know this is not your thoughts: I know it is yourselves, and not God and His service that offendeth you; and that you walk heavily not because you are holy, but because you fear you are not holy, and because you are no more holy. . . . If you see a servant always sad, that was wont to be merry while he served another master, will you not think that he hath a master that displeaseth him? . . . You are born and new born for God’s honor; and will you thus dishonor Him before the world? What do you (in their eyes) but dispraise Him by your very countenance and carriage? - Richard Baxter

Baxter on Joy

What a great quote:

I desire the dejected Christian to consider, that by his heavy and uncomfortable life, he seemeth to the world to accuse God and His service, as if he openly called Him a rigorous, hard, unacceptable Master, and His work a sad unpleasant thing. I know this is not your thoughts: I know it is yourselves, and not God and His service that offendeth you; and that you walk heavily not because you are holy, but because you fear you are not holy, and because you are no more holy. . . . If you see a servant always sad, that was wont to be merry while he served another master, will you not think that he hath a master that displeaseth him? . . . You are born and new born for God’s honor; and will you thus dishonor Him before the world? What do you (in their eyes) but dispraise Him by your very countenance and carriage? - Richard Baxter

Scripture Reading

There has been a plethora of posts on Facebook and in the blogosphere encouraging us to choose a Bible reading plan. May I also encourage everyone to pick a plan, any plan, even just reading a chapter a day or a few verses a day and commit to it for the year. As Richard Baxter has written:

The godly man will read the Word by day, that men, seeing his good works, may glorify his Father who is in heaven; he will do it in the night, that he may not be seen of men; by day, to show that he is not one of those who dread the light; by night, to show that he is one who can shine in the shade; by day, for that is the time for working, work whilst it is day; by night, lest his Master should come as a thief, and find him idle. - Richard Baxter

How to Profit From Sickness Direct. VI

Direct. VI Also you have now a special help to raise your estimation of the happiness of the saints in heaven, and of the necessity and excellency of a holy life, and of the wisdom of the saints on earth; and to know who maketh the wiseth choice (Luke 10:42, Philippians 1:19 & 23). Now you may see that it is nothing but it is heaven that is worth our seeking, and that is finally to be trusted to, and will not fail us in the hour of our distress; wicked; between those that serve God and those that serve him not, Malachi 3:17-18. Now judge whether a loose and worldly life, or a holy, heavenly life be better? And resolve accordingly. (Taken from Richard Baxter's A Christian Directory.)

How To Profit From Sickness Direct. V

Direct. V You have a very great help now to be thoroughly acquainted with the vanity of the world, and so to mortify all affections unto the things below. Now judge the value of wealth, and honour, and plenty, and high places. Are they a comfort to a dying man that is parting with them? Or is any grief to a poor man when he is dying, that he did not enjoy them? Is it not easy now to rectify your errors, if ever you thought highly of these transitory things? O settle it now in your firm resolution, that if God should restore you, you would value this world at a lower rate, and set by it, and seek it, but as it deserveth. (From Richard Baxter's, A Christian Directory.)

How To Profit From Sickness Direct. IV

Direct IV. When affliction calleth you to the use and exercise of your graces, you have a great help to be better acquainted with the strength or weakness of them. When you are called so loudly to the use of faith, and love, and patience, and heavenly-mindedness, you may better know what measure of every one of these you have, than you could when you had no such help. Mark therefore what your hearts prove in the trial, and what each grace doth show itself to be in the exercise. (Taken from A Christian Directory by Richard Baxter.)

How to Profit From Sickness III

Direct. III There is many a deep corruption in the heart, which affliction openeth and discovereth, which deceitfulness hid, in the time of prosperity; and the detecting of these is no small benefit to the soul. When you come to part with wealth and honor, you shall better know how much you loved them, than you could before. Mark therefore what corruptions appear in you affliction, and how the heart discloseth its deceits, that you may know what to repent of and reform. (Taken from A Christian Directory by Richard Baxter.)

How to Profit from Sickness Direct. II

Let's look at Richard Baxter's next direction on how to profit from sickness. Keep in mind that we can replace the word sickness with trial, suffering, loss, pain, affliction. It all works here and God uses each situation in our lives to bring about his purposes.

Direct. II. If in the review of your lives, you find out those sins which before you overlooked, or perceive the greatness of those sins which before you accounted small, the benefit may be very great; for it helps to a more deep and sound repentance, and to a stronger resolution against all sins, if you recover. And affliction is a very great help to us in this: many a man hath been ashamed and deeply humbled for that same sin, when sickness did awake him, which he could make his play-fellow before, as it there had been neither hurt nor danger in it.

How to Profit from Sickness

It seems so unlikely that we can profit from sickness and yet we see in Scripture that our Lord often works in the exact opposite way from the manner in which we think and reason. And so Richard Baxter enlightens us in his Christian Directory about this in the section, Directions how to Profit by our Sickness:

Direct. 1. If you hear God's call to a closer trial of your your hearts, concerning the sincerity of your conversion, and thereby are brought to a more exact examination, and come to a truer acquaintance with your state, (be it good or bad,) the benefit may be exceeding great. For if it be good you may be much comforted, and confirmed, and fitted to give thanks and praise to God; and if it be bad you may be awakened speedily to look to about you, and seek for recovery.