Pills for the Soul? Dieter. K. Mulitze

A recent UN human rights office commission published Dainius Puras, professor of psychiatry, who wrote in a report on mental health “There is now unequivocal evidence of the failures of a system that relies too heavily on the biomedical model of mental health services …-New ways of thinking need to permeate the public sector, and mental health must be integrated into the whole of public policy. “ Our little understanding and drug treatment as the way to go has caused much disability in the lives of people with mental and emotional health issues. So does the church think and act like the world, or does it think and act God’s ways in the area of mental and emotional health? The ministry and writings of Rev Dr Dieter K. Mulitze, who is currently a director of Deeper Love Ministries since 1998, has sounded the trumpet a decade ago to stir the church to return to the One who alone has the words of eternal life. He authors a book entitled “Pills for the Soul?”, published in 2008.

It is a refreshing book from a lay theologian and scientist who boldly writes from his own understanding and experiences in helping people who struggled with mental and emotional issues, many for years. He is not anti-psychiatry but his views and positions are that the healing presence of Christ is far superior than any drug or “fixing brains rather than healing souls” ways. Unfortunately the church at large has gone the ways of the world and backs up the current system unwittingly. Over the years, my experience with people as a friend or nurse supervisor has shown me that there must be a better way. My theological training did not prepare me adequately to help such people. But having read Pills for the Soul? my heart just leaped with excitement that finally there are people out there in the church community who understand.

Deeper Love Ministries is dedicated to “healing prayer” to demonstrate the power of God’s Spirit in Jesus’ Name. The book tells many stories of individuals who were healed as Jesus was invited into their lives. This understanding lifts off a burden that I must know how to say the right prayers in ministry. It forces me to go back to Scriptures more to study the ways of Jesus. Powerful testimonies for the church to learn and emulate. If that is the case, people will be running to the churches for healing appointments.

This author has researched his subject well and the amazing testimonies add clout to his findings that drugs cannot heal the soul. Only Jesus Christ by the power of his Holy Spirit, can plumb the depths of our being, sending forth his truth and his light, to bring true peace that surpasses understanding, which ultimately brings him glory. Athough it was necessary to list statistics and theories, it made boring reading in some parts and a bit intellectual at times, however for the most part I enjoyed the book, and gained some useful insight which will be invaluable when ministering to the mentally ill.

Serving as a pastor and chaplain for a couple of decades, I’ve grown increasingly suspicious of the many labels and the proliferation of medications for issues thoroughly dealt with in scripture. This author gives articulate expression combined with thorough research to my vague hunches. Thank you! Very excited to share with many friends who might reconsider their dependence on psychiatric drugs.