Group Therapy for Anxiety in the Bible

Dr. Benjamin White

Episode Summary

Especially in the coronavirus pandemic, many Christians are feeling anxiety or worry and are likely to turn to the Bible for comfort, advice, and encouragement. While many of us are likely to consult the New Testament, in doing so, we may neglect the rich tradition of the Old Testament that underlies it. Perhaps the Hebrew Bible can, through its unique usage of vulnerable poetry and narrative, help us accept and deal with our own vulnerabilities, in community with one another and situated within a tradition of wisdom.

In this episode, Dr. Ben White, Assistant Professor of New Testament at The King’s College, discusses with CHT Director Dr. Dru Johnson his article in Christianity Today called “Fighting Anxiety With the Old Testament” — written a year ago but exceptionally applicable in the context of the Coronavirus pandemic. They talk about the honesty across the Bible about the weakness and struggles of the human condition, and how that’s helpful for dealing with anxiety today. They also discuss Andy Stanley, the distinctiveness of the Hebrew Bible’s approach to vulnerability and victory, and Paul’s thoughts on weakness.

Chapters

    • 0:00 Recontextualizing the Hebrew Bible for the sake of modern transformation

    • 2:25 Introducing Dr. Benjamin White and discussing Andy Stanley

    • 5:00 “Fighting Anxiety with the Old Testament”

    • 10:55 Group Therapy

    • 13:00 Vulnerability within Old Testament poetry and narrative

    • 18:40 Paul on weakness

Read Dr. White’s article in Christianity Today here.

Transcripts are AI generated and are not guaranteed to correctly reflect the content of the podcast.
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  • Dr. Benjamin White

    Ben teaches courses in Biblical Studies and Theology, with a focus on the New Testament and Early Christianity. He began his role at King’s after several years in Durham, England, where he wrote his Ph.D. thesis under the direction of John M.G. Barclay, one of the world’s leading New Testament scholars. His doctoral research focused on the ‘strength-in-weakness’ paradox in 2 Corinthians and its transformative significance for the Christian community in ancient Corinth.

    Originally from Canada, Ben has presented his academic work at major conferences around the world, including the UK, Germany, and the USA. He is currently pursuing publication of his doctoral thesis, and some of his research on Corinth is due to be published in the Journal for the Study of the New Testament (JSNT). Prior to his doctoral studies, Ben worked in full-time pastoral ministry. He is presently a Fellow of the Center for Pastor Theologians in Chicago and a former Pastoral Tutor at St. John’s College, Durham. He writes regularly for lay people, and his work on various topics has appeared in Christianity Today and Faith Today. He also teaches part-time at the Midtown campus of Reformed Theological Seminary, which is a strategic partnership with Redeemer City to City to offer vocational training for NYC pastors.

    Outside of the classroom, Ben is an avid basketball fan, enjoys being outdoors, and loves anything related to the English Lake District. He is married to Brittany, and he spends a good deal of his time playing with their son, Gideon.

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