Holistic Approach to Mental Illnesses at the Toby of Ambohibao Madagascar Daniel A
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Luther Seminary Digital Commons @ Luther Seminary Doctor of Ministry Theses Student Theses 2002 Holistic Approach to Mental Illnesses at the Toby of Ambohibao Madagascar Daniel A. Rakotojoelinandrasana Luther Seminary Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.luthersem.edu/dmin_theses Part of the Christianity Commons, Mental and Social Health Commons, and the Practical Theology Commons Recommended Citation Rakotojoelinandrasana, Daniel A., "Holistic Approach to Mental Illnesses at the Toby of Ambohibao Madagascar" (2002). Doctor of Ministry Theses. 19. http://digitalcommons.luthersem.edu/dmin_theses/19 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Theses at Digital Commons @ Luther Seminary. It has been accepted for inclusion in Doctor of Ministry Theses by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Luther Seminary. For more information, please contact [email protected]. HOLISTIC APPROACH TO MENTAL ILLNESSES AT THE TOBY OF AMBOHIBAO MADAGASCAR by DANIEL A. RAKOTOJOELINANDRASANA A Thesis Submitted to, the Faculty of Luther Seminary And The Minnesota Consortium of Seminary Faculties In Partial Fulfillments of The Requirements for the Degree of DOCTOR OF MINISTRY THESIS ADVISOR: RICHARD WALLA CE. SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA 2002 LUTHER SEMINARY USRARY 22-75Como Aver:ue 1 ©2002 by Daniel Rakotojoelinandrasana All rights reserved 2 Thesis Project Committee Dr. Richard Wallace, Luther Seminary, Thesis Advisor Dr. Craig Moran, Luther Seminary, Reader Dr. J. Michael Byron, St. Paul Seminary, School of Divinity, Reader ABSTRACT The Church is to reclaim its teaching and praxis of the healing ministry at the example of Jesus Christ who preached, taught and healed. Healing is holistic, that is, caring for the whole person, physical, mental, social and spiritual. Healing is a part of the full salvation in Jesus Christ. Mental illnesses or disorders affect one fourth of human beings in the world and their prevalence is far from declining. This thesis describes the model of Ambohibao and suggests it as a way for the church to do healing ministry, and particularly, as a way to approach the problems of mental disorders. The model of Ambohibao, from its historical development and from its understanding and experiencing of the healing ministry of the New Testament, acknowledges the existence of spirit-related disorders. Spirit-related disorders are disorders that are caused by spirits or demons in biblical terminology. The Ambohibao model has developed an approach to mental disorders that integrates scientific medicine and biblical methods in the caring for the mentally disordered. It differentiates spirit-related disorders from classical mental disorders, both in the diagnosis and the treatment. The model suggests that a holistic approach to healing means integrating faith/prayer and science in the caring for the sick. This thesis examines the most recent textbooks of modem psychiatry, namely the DSM N, and contends that medical science starts to recognize the reality of factors as spirits and demons in the etiology of certain mental disorders. The church as a community of faith and love is well equipped to do this holistic healing ministry. Theological and pastoral issues are discussed in the light of the Ambohibao 1 3 model, particularly how to interpret the biblical narratives and teachings on the demonic/deliverance ministry and the dimensions of Christ’s salvation and healing. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS "Bless the LORD, o my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, o my soul, and forget not all his benefits" "Not that we are competent of ourselves to claim anything from us; our competence is from God." "By the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace has not been vain" This thesis being done and received with distinction, it was from Him. Blessed be the name of the LORD. It is my delight to acknowledge here those whom God has used to bring to completion this work. They are the evidence that God is good and rich in good people who sow goodness on their ways. To all of you, I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart. To my thesis committee, and through them all my teachers and mentors, "Thank you. Misaotra tompoko." Dr. Craig Moran, my Faculty Advisor, you have been from the beginning with me, witnessing the different phases ofmy progress. You have been supportive, understanding and constantly available. Dr. Richard Wallace, you have not spared your time, your sincere and your scholarly critique while discussing with me about the form and the content of this thesis. You have been always present and your guidance has helped me go through the tortuous roads of the research and writing. I will remember those meticulous remarks and thoughtful questions, as well as those exchanges through the mail box and mail voices. Dr. Michael Byron, it was a great experience for me to know you and to relate with you in the last period of the thesis process. It was a short time, but it was an intense time when I learned to appreciate greatly your contribution to the final format and content of this thesis. I had mentors and advisors that I want to recognize here as a part of the clouds of good people God has sent on my way to bless me and to equip me for the ministry. I want to mention Richard Roach M.D., Dr. Morris Vaagenes and Rev. Scott Hinrichs. You have been wonderful and patient with me, sharing not just your ski11sand knowledge but all yourselves to me. Sr. Anne Michelle J adlowski, you were simply special, and your kindness, warmth and motherly touch have blessed and comforted me a lot. Through Anne Michelle I want to remind here the blessing I had from Saint Joseph's Hospital pastoral care staff and CPE class mates, Allen Dundek, Sr. Marianne Louangie and the others. To my friends and staff of Luther Seminary Library, you were really great and helpful. To Dr. Aimee and her team at the Toby of Ambohibao, to my brothers and sisters "mpiandry" or shepherds, "you have been admirably good to me". Without you I was not able to lll finish this thesis. My family and I have been surrounded by great and loving friends during our stay in Minnesota and throughout our training. You are so numerous, may the Lord bless you all. I want to make a singular mention on a few who had been our constant and faithful support, making us feel at home when times went tough. To Bonnie and Morris Vaagenes and family, thanks a lot for being our family here. You have been and are still our parents, "tena Ray Amandreny marina". To Jim and Debbie Allert, to Claire and Sandy Stolee, to Jim and Sonja Halvorson, to Loren and Kirsti Fevig, to Harry and Judy Mahagkian, to Lorna Jones, to Garry and Marylin Burns, to Don and Carole Kunde and to all your families, "much love in Christ and thanks". How can I forget to mention here all those who contributed :financially to our needs and help bring this project to fruition? North Heights Lutheran Church, Global Health Ministry, and the International Department of Luther Seminary. May the Lord keep blessing your ministry . From Madagascar, I want to make a special recognition to Dr. Quanbeck, the SALFA and the Lutheran Hospital of Ambohibao for your supports and your trust in me, helping me to undertake this training; To the Malagasy Lutheran Lutheran Church, particularly Rev. Rakotomaro Jean Baptiste, our Genera] Secretary. Now, my family and I pray God to open the door for us to minister where he wants us to go and serve him through his people. We belong to the Church, and this is a grace and a privilege from God. "Ny Haza, hono, no vanon-ko-lakana, ny tany naniriany no tsara ", that is, ''the tree becoming a canoe, the soil was good". I want to remember here my Father and my Mother who have shown me through their words and deeds the most important things of life: love and faith in God through Jesus and the Holy Spirit. But I want also to recognize my family in law and all my brothers and sisters. To all my friends, brothers and sisters, both in Madagascar and in the USA and all around the world, I want to say thank you for your prayers and support. At the end, I want to give a tremendous gratitude and appreciation to Elysee, Tsanta, Asafa, Christine and Salamo. 'Wonderful' and 'admirable', these are the only words I can use for you. I cannot thank God enough for what and who you have been, are and will be in my life. This is your achievement. Especially to Elysee, my dear wife, you endured all the pains and hardships of separation and the raising of the children. I love you all. "Ny Fahasoavana'Andriamanitra no naha toy izao antsika" 1 Car. 15: 10. Amen. IV 4 To a faithful and loving friend, my beloved Lord and Savior, The Great Physician: Jesus Christ To Elysee, Tsanta, Asafa, Christine and Salamo, As a token of deep love and recognition. “Amin’ny fo feno fankasitrahana sy fitiavana.” TABLE OF CONTENT INTRODUCTION PART ONE. THE CONTEXT OF MENTAL DISORDERS AND THE AMBOHIBAO MODEL Chapter 1. Mental and Spirit Related Disorders. General Context ............................................. 10 A. Definition of Mental Disorders According to DSM N .............................................. 10 B. Brief Overview of the History of Mental Disorders . .. ... ... .. .. 11 B.1. From the Antiquity to the Greco Roman Time B.2. The Greco Roman Time B.3. Middle Ages B.4. The Renaissance B.5. The Enlightenment B.6. The Modem Time and the new Face of Psychiatry C. Rediscovery of Spirits in Modem Psychiatry ............................................................