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This is one of those classic works of enduring value that will last for centuries. These 21 collected sermons, delivered by Dr. Lloyd-Jones at Westminster Chapel, London, on the subject of spiritual depression, have helped multitudes of people suffering from many maladies. He wisely and compassionately analyzes this all-too-common problem, believing that joy is one of the most potent factors in our making the gospel attractive to others, and desiring to help us achieve habits of genuine joy.
Anyone whose heart aches, whether for himself or for others, will find in this volume a remarkable gold-mine of wisdom to help burdened minds re-discover their bearings and get a clearer sight of how to live in the enjoyment of God's mercies.
Review by Daniel Edelen:
"Although D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones's "Spiritual Depression: Its Causes and Its Cure " is nearly forty years old, the truth it speaks to a generation lost amid a plethora of pop-psychology books is timeless. Jones, long the pastor of Westminster Chapel, gives readers the benefit of his many years of preaching and counseling, paving the way for the lost to find their way home.
Psychology and Christianity have two dichotomous worldviews that cannot be shoehorned into each no matter how hard anyone tries. Psychology attempts to bolster the inner self, while Christianity says that the inner self is so hopelessly corrupt that it must be replaced with something entirely new. To this end Jones points out that all depression has its root in sin and works from that point to lead readers into an understanding that only in Christ can release from the bondage of self come.
In the pages of this work, we find Lloyd-Jones addressing the following issues that many who are downcast find themselves afflicted by:
- Lack of a foundation in Christ - Lack of clarity - Poor spiritual balance between the mind, heart, and will - Inability to receive forgiveness for all their sins - Inability to move beyond past failures - Fear of the future - Placing too much confidence in emotions - Faulty love of oneself and a general contempt for others - Lack of faith - Seeing only bad and not good - Bondage to dead legalism - Failing to recognize false teachings - Weariness - Lack of discipline - Failure to handle trials appropriately - Failure to respond correctly to chastening - Bitterness
Jones does a marvelous job of breaking down each of these traits found in those in the doldrums and sheds the light of Scripture on each as he takes a solely Christian look at the root of these problems and how to deal with them biblically. Best of all, at no time does he attempt to mix in solutions from pop-psychology in order to achieve wholeness. His answers are more real and more true to the heart of the depressed. Anyone who feels downtrodden will take enormous comfort in the gentle, but firm words here.
While the advice here is timeless, the book does suffer slightly from having an older writing style that contrasts with the flow of more modern works. Those who have not read anything older than twenty years will find some of Jones's writing techniques to be quaint and very British, but if you have read any works by his contemporary, C.S. Lewis, you will be familiar with the style of British writers of that day and will find nothing daunting in Jones.
In the end, as a counteracting work to the psychobabble so pronounced today, Spiritual Depression is without peer and I heartily encourage anyone who is looking for true Christian counsel to read this book - Jones's words are a life-giving balm for weary souls. Few books of this type exist today and better words have never been written on this subject."
