Through the Story of Jonah, this article explores a biblically based pastoral care model for churches to support those experiencing suicidal ideation. Through a close examination of the short narrative with help from scholars like Jione Havea, Eli Wiesel, and Devora K. Wohlglernter the story of Jonah is “re-membered” to show how the simple act of interpreting scripture can be the church’s unique role in the Mental Health Crisis. Rather than fostering environments of shame or minimization, Jonah reminds the church that it is called to be a place of relational empathy, where scripture is the vehicle to foster nuanced understanding. The boat, the whale, and the booth become creative environments for Jonah to be held in God’s loving embrace.
Rev. Emily Collins Badgett (Wed,) studied this question.
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