We speak with John Swinton, Professor in Practical Theology and Pastoral Care, Chair in Divinity and Religious Studies at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland.
John Swinton has worked in mental health care for many years and is now a professor of theology. He brings together a compassionate understanding of mental health and illness with a hopeful understanding of faith and what it means to live well. What could it look like to know “abundant life” while living with a diagnosis of mental illness? What might it look like to know life to the full amidst ongoing, but undiagnosed struggles around mental health?
Swinton offers a humanizing and hopeful way of seeing the “other”, a way that is non-polarizing and shows how we are in solidarity with others, those of different race, politics, ability and understanding.
The pressure to keep up and to be “compulsively cheerful” in our lives can be debilitating. Swinton shows us the value and beauty of “slowness, gentleness, dependence, vulnerability, un-competitiveness, trustfulness and restfulness.”
Warning: This episode mentions schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, and suicide.
John’s books:
Finding Jesus in the Storm: The Spiritual Lives of Christians with Mental Health Challenges
Becoming Friends of Time: Disability, Timefullness, and Gentle Discipleship
Materials and links referenced in this episode:
Regent College course, “Dementia: Living in the Memories of God”, May 10-14
VST course, “Living Faithfully With Mental Health Challenges: Why Theology Matters”, July 12-16
VST Public Lecture, “The “Hidden” Side Effects of COVID 19”, July 13
When God Talks Back: Understanding the American Evangelical Relationship with God, T.M. Luhrmann
The Bible and Mental Health: Towards a Biblical Theology of Mental Health, a collection of essays from authors including Walter Brueggemann and John Swinton.
Vocation and the Future with Samuel Andri
”Won’t You Be My Neighbour?” with Yehuda Mansell
Purity Culture in Church Circles: A Conversation with Linda Kay Klein
"Christian Music" with Jeff Johnson and Roy Salmond
Special Episode; Towards Justice
Nothing Wasted with David Hayward (NakedPastor)
Inter-Religious Conversations with Rabbi Dr. Laura Duhan-Kaplan
Consider the Lilies with Leah Kostamo
Poetry, Loss, and Hope with Susan Alexander
Spirituality and Mental Health Dr. Sharon Smith
"Probably Not a Real Christian" with Curt Allison
Words Without Spin with Pádraig Ó Tuama
So Long 2020
Christmas Special 2020
Sunny Boy with David Goa
COVID Jumps the Shark
Listening Charitably with Lisa Ruddick
Republican Jesus with Dr. Anthony Keddie
The Sacred/Secular Divide with Randy Hein
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Hello Heaven Podcast
Cast The Word
Let Me Be Frank | Bishop Frank Caggiano’s Podcast | Diocese of Bridgeport, CT
The Kingdom Power Fellowship Podcast
The Bible Recap
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)