CROWTHER JOURNAL OF ARTS AND HUMANITIES

Manifestations of mental health in Christian religion and performative arts have inspired several scholarly conversations. Existing studies on the nexus between religion, performance and mental health have concentrated mainly on the theatricalities, causes, remedies and representations of mental health with scant literature focusing on the manifestations of mental disorders in the Old Testament doctrine. It is against this backdrop that the current paper examines manifestations of mental disorders with particular reference to the Old Testament. The paper deploys textual analysis to examine major ceremonial characters in the Old Testament, but with emphasis on King Saul and King David. Furthermore, the paper identifies possible causes and remedies to mental disorders as prescribed in the Old Testament. It was established that mental disorders occur when certain factors alter the well-being of people and also that anxiety, fears, depression, anger, fame, sin, amongst others were mental disorders manifested in the Old Testament. It was also found out that King David was acknowledged as “a man after God’s own Heart” but suffered depression, fear, and diverse anxiety disorders. In addition, Saul was also chosen by God to lead the affairs of the Israelites and by virtue of disobedience, the spirit of God departed from him and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him with schizophrenia. It was also discovered from the Old Testament narratives that the presence of God, trust in Him and the peace that He offers can eradicate all forms of mental disorders.

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