The Book Depository Blame it on the Brain by Edward T. Welch

Author: Chris Booth

Rating: 5

Review: Very use - Great Christian Resource for any denomination.. Edward Welch is very gifted I would highly recommend his work.

Author: Amazon Customer

Rating: 1

Review: First off, Ed Welch has a PhD which only requires two years of studies. A medical doctor on the other hand, including a psychiatrist, can speak on and prescribe medication because they’ve completed four years of medical school and 3-7 years of residency (4 years for psychiatrist). Even licensed therapists are not allowed to diagnose or recommend psychotropic drugs or they’d loose their license. I guess people like Welch can just freely speak on it because they are “biblical counselors” and not held accountable by state mandated licensure. There are plenty of Christian Doctors, Psychiatrist and Therapist that would completely disagree with Welch. So what business does Welch have speaking about brain chemistry, medication and medical conditions? It’s like a phlebotomist making a youtube video about how to perform open heart surgery. I feel like Welch wrote this and all of his other books with a false confidence that came from thinking he can back all of his grandiose ideologies with scripture. His ideologies are matter of fact and he only cites philosophical references and scripture but not scientific or medical. Even the secular world no longer relies on philosophical references, so this seems like a desperate attempt on Welch’s end. This book hasn’t been updated since 1998. That’s 24 YEARS AGO! There’s been so much advancement in medical technology. The MRI machines can now show the brain lighting up differently compared to a normal brain vs. one that is experiencing psychosis. It can also show how the gray matter in identical twins developed differently causing one twin to develop schizophrenia. Welch mentions all of this in pg 24 but why write a book knowing there is new advancement in the works? How arrogant of him to assume that the findings will not change anything in this preconceived dinosaur book. Pg 11 The first page of the intro claiming that 1990’s was the decade of brain disorders is false. Scientists are only interested in whatever research will earn them a Nobel prize and right now that’s in the field of genetics since Watson and Crick discovered DNA in 1953. Pharmaceutical and medical devices companies are only concerned with disorders that are the most profitable like cancer treatments. There is a cure for malaria and sickle cell but why do you think it's not being produced. The trend is investing in gene therapy because of the price tag. In May 2019, FDA approved Zolgensma, costing a hefty $2.1 million for a single dose. Why would any pharma or med device company invest in brain research for psychotropic drugs that cost $10-40 a bottle? Welch and his followers argue that there aren’t diagnostic testing for psy meds but there is. We can do genetic testing for the specific type of neurotransmitters and protein. Once again, why would these companies invest millions of dollars to create diagnostic tests for such cheap psy drugs… Pg 15 says all research should be interpreted through theological lens, not technical or scientific. What does he mean by technical and why was medical interpretation left out? As far as “all research”, why are we only subjecting brain research to theological interpretation and not any physical disorders? This is clearly a one size fits all approach which is drastically different from how Jesus specifically met the needs of each individual. Pg 25 This is the second Welch book I’ve read and what I can’t stand are the hypothetical scenarios. He only includes details that will support his false ideologies and he’ll conveniently leave out context that may contradict it. These “examples” usually present these people as taking the easy way out by not trusting God/scripture. It’s pure legalism, gas lighting and lacks grace. Pg 42 Welch says anorexia, bulimia, gluttony are dominated by sin, sin taking advantage of weakness for desire for food. This can’t be further from the truth. I saw a documentary on how a girl became anorexic when she was ridiculed for her weight at school. Also, a teenage boy became bulimic because he resented his father for being away for work and this was his way of getting attention. These kids had a sinful response to a deep hurt. Once again, very legalistic, no grace. So if Welch is going to mention bodily conditions caused by sin, why not mention diabetes and cardiac disorders? These conditions can be drastically improved with healthy eating and exercise but many patients refuse, which is sinful. Once when I was a medical volunteer, I saw a diabetic patient with a rotting foot and he brought 10 bottles of medication. This patient had no intentions of eating well or exercising. Jesus died so we can live and our body is a holy temple so how sinful of this man to not take physical care of his body. So, how convenient for Welch to leave out physical conditions and only include the ones that support his ideologies. Pg 50 – Welch mentions a woman who blamed drunk driving on her PMS as an example that the brain can’t cause you to sin. I have a friend who has bipolar disorder. Before she was diagnosed and on medication, she would do such things as walk around the street naked because she thought the rapture was taking place. She said nothing about her behavior during her manic episode was sinful because she was only displaying what was in her heart which was to meet Jesus and be with the Lord in heaven. She goes back and explains what happened and apologizes to people if her behavior offended or surprised them. She said she would be sinning if she wasn’t managing her condition well to prevent these episodes since she now has the resources (CBT),medication and her faith. Same goes for women and PMS. We mark it on our calendar and prepare in advance. That means doing take out instead of cooking. Sleeping earlier, lets the kids do more screen time, maybe asking family to help out with the kids, etc. I think I’ll stop writing here because I’ve made my point. Welch is just expressing his opinions, its not based on facts. I believe in the sufficiency and authority of God’s word and I’m sure Welch does too. If this book is trying to tackle the scientific things of this world, it should be jam packed with references to both sides of the argument but it fails to do that. It’s apparent its very biased. Please talk to Christian doctors and specialists. Pray without ceasing to see what God wants you to take from the bible, books, advice, etc. Ps I know the tone of my review may seem harsh but Welch is responsible for the legalistic approach he encourages in all of his book. Two years ago, I was counseled by a biblical counselor for one year who had me do one of Welch’s book with her and that this was going to cure whatever it is I had. My symptoms became worse and I was about to commit suicide when God intervened and forced me to seek medical care. Please don’t let this happens to you or anyone