In order to begin the process of bringing our lives into conformity with God’s will, we must first come to know God through the processes of His generic plan for our wholeness. The plan of God has not changed over time. Biblically, it is centered in the Creator’s desire to set us apart unto Himself. The English word chosen long ago to express this Biblical truth is sanctification, also known as  holiness.

That many have misused the term, and that others have twisted the doctrine into something totally distinct from it’s Biblical meaning, cannot be denied. Nevertheless, until a person comes face-to-face with the wonderful liberating reality of God’s plan to set men and women apart unto Himself (that is, to make them holy), we cannot hope to reach toward genuine mental and spiritual maturity, and hence (Biblically defined) mental health.

The burden of sin and the attendant baggage of it's wages, so enslaves that genuine mental health is impossible to attain while battling this ancient enemy.  To be sure, there are those who do not profess any religious or spiritual belief, who are nonetheless quite mature in manner and personality.  Conversely, it is well known that one may be a born-again (and hence sanctified) Christian yet quite immature in manner and obnoxious in personality.  That is not the issue.

The issue is genuine mental health.  Even the most outwardly mature agnostic is inwardly an unbalanced, immature, and confused sinner.  How can one have genuine mental health while estranged from his or her Creator?  Of the otherwise immature Christian, one might correctly wonder how much worse he or she might be if unconverted (unsanctified)!

The point is that trying to deal with any form of mental ill health issue (obviously we are not referring here to mental retardation or some forms of clinical mental illness) is difficult enough.  It is infinitely more complicated to deal with when the very foundation of a person's life is broken.  For example, Biblical counselors universally report having tried in vain to help their clients deal with certain personality problems, only to see those problems come quickly to resolution following the client's conversion or full surrender to Christ.

However, let the student understand that this course is not a comprehensive study of the Biblical Foundation for Mental Health, or of the Doctrine of Sanctification. It is intended to present from Scripture, a generic study of how God desires to bring about mental and spiritual wholeness in the life of anyone who will test Him in His plan.  Further study is strongly recommended following the completion of this course.

The ultimate (highest) goal of teaching ought to be the successful transmission of truth. Only after the basic truths of the Biblical Doctrine of Sanctification have been understood and experienced, can the rest of one's life become a study in the practical application and deeper development of mental and spiritual wellness (health).  Whatever the student’s theological ground may be, if it be honestly Christ-centered and Bible-based,  this study will successfully transmit the truth concerning the basics of the Biblical teachings concerning God’s generic plan for man’s wholeness. That the inadequate English word sanctification is used as a foundational term, should in no way prejudice the student.

Now, let's click through to Chapter One  to continue the course overview or begin the study.