I’m no expert in the Theology or philosophy of Thomas Aquinas. Nor do I have deep knowledge of Thomistic psychology. But in a broad sense, I’m aware that Aquinas proposed the idea that mental/emotional disorders and disturbances are reflections of soul “maladies”. And while I can’t prove or validate his theory, I think it’s sensible. Can’t support that it’s Biblical per se. But I think his theory, as best that I know, is that soul damage happens first, and mental sickness follows.
In modern language, what you describe here is “clinical” and “psychiatric”. Individuals whose mental pathways fall into the categories you describe……..well…..they need advanced psychiatric care (provided it’s an honest Christian practitioner).
But it’s likely also true that that there is a deep “soul malady” as Aquinas would suggest. This would require Divine healing of the soul. And He can do it and has done it in Christ.
For whoever is suffering from these types of madness (not sound mind), I do pray that The Holy Spirit would create in them a “clean heart”, that there would be a renewal of a right spirit, and that they may find a legitimate Christian psychiatrist who can help direct them to re-train their mental pathways to be able to accept what is true and real.
May Jesus rescue those living delusional realities and may He strengthen those suffering under the hands of those who’s “soul malady’s” inflicts pain and damage.
I’m praying for you Jonathan!
Amen!
P.S. I don’t know how well I described my thoughts here. But in summary……an individual suffering these types of altered mental and behavioral states……they need a one, two dose of Pastoral care and clinical interventions.
P.S. 2…….some lab work could marginally help. Deficiency in the vitamin B complex is known to cause mental challenges….
So insightful and such a good reminder that every relationship God has entrusted to me I need to steward with the utmost care, lest I abuse those relationships and the trust granted to me.
Powerful framing. The distinction betwen attributes and tactics really clarifies why we keep misdiagnosing these patterns. I worked alongside someone who seemed genuinely caring but left everyone around them constantly second-guessing. Looking back the regulation through control was always there just adapted to the setting.
When care is treated as an attribute, it gets moral credit by default. When control is treated as a tactic, it stays invisible—because it can wear many costumes and still feel “good-intentioned.”
That’s why people end up second-guessing themselves. Not because harm was overt, but because regulation was ambient. The signal isn’t cruelty; it’s erosion of confidence.
What matters isn’t how someone feels about others, but what their presence reliably does to the field. Control adapts. Care doesn’t need to. Real care brings both rest and calm.
All glory be to God. Amen. God's peace be with you. Amen
Alleluia. Thank you Jeff!
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ to comfort and restore me.
I’m no expert in the Theology or philosophy of Thomas Aquinas. Nor do I have deep knowledge of Thomistic psychology. But in a broad sense, I’m aware that Aquinas proposed the idea that mental/emotional disorders and disturbances are reflections of soul “maladies”. And while I can’t prove or validate his theory, I think it’s sensible. Can’t support that it’s Biblical per se. But I think his theory, as best that I know, is that soul damage happens first, and mental sickness follows.
In modern language, what you describe here is “clinical” and “psychiatric”. Individuals whose mental pathways fall into the categories you describe……..well…..they need advanced psychiatric care (provided it’s an honest Christian practitioner).
But it’s likely also true that that there is a deep “soul malady” as Aquinas would suggest. This would require Divine healing of the soul. And He can do it and has done it in Christ.
For whoever is suffering from these types of madness (not sound mind), I do pray that The Holy Spirit would create in them a “clean heart”, that there would be a renewal of a right spirit, and that they may find a legitimate Christian psychiatrist who can help direct them to re-train their mental pathways to be able to accept what is true and real.
May Jesus rescue those living delusional realities and may He strengthen those suffering under the hands of those who’s “soul malady’s” inflicts pain and damage.
I’m praying for you Jonathan!
Amen!
P.S. I don’t know how well I described my thoughts here. But in summary……an individual suffering these types of altered mental and behavioral states……they need a one, two dose of Pastoral care and clinical interventions.
P.S. 2…….some lab work could marginally help. Deficiency in the vitamin B complex is known to cause mental challenges….
So insightful and such a good reminder that every relationship God has entrusted to me I need to steward with the utmost care, lest I abuse those relationships and the trust granted to me.
The Fisk family remains in my prayers.
Powerful framing. The distinction betwen attributes and tactics really clarifies why we keep misdiagnosing these patterns. I worked alongside someone who seemed genuinely caring but left everyone around them constantly second-guessing. Looking back the regulation through control was always there just adapted to the setting.
When care is treated as an attribute, it gets moral credit by default. When control is treated as a tactic, it stays invisible—because it can wear many costumes and still feel “good-intentioned.”
That’s why people end up second-guessing themselves. Not because harm was overt, but because regulation was ambient. The signal isn’t cruelty; it’s erosion of confidence.
What matters isn’t how someone feels about others, but what their presence reliably does to the field. Control adapts. Care doesn’t need to. Real care brings both rest and calm.