Suicidal ideations, attempts, and completions are increasing at a disturbing rate around the world. The currently popular humanistic phenomenology and subsequent biological approaches have failed to resolve the underlying problems and are, in fact, widely understood to increase suicidal ideation. Clearly, a radical change in how suicide is viewed and approached is urgently needed. Though the medical model’s failure to reduce suicides and its contribution to the problem is evident, many people are unaware that the Bible offers a tried and true alternative phenomenology to that of psychiatric/humanistic theory. The Word of God provides numerous case studies of suicidal thinking, attempts, and completions, and more importantly, Scripture offers empirical insight into both why people choose to end their lives and how to effectively help those in desperate need. In Suicidal Ideation: a Biblical Perspective for Counselors, Daniel Berger points the reader to Scripture and exposes how the current empirical findings concerning suicide confirm the Biblical understanding and approach to suicide as relevant and vitally important. Moreover, this book corrects misconceptions about suicidal thinking and helps to equip helpers, practitioners, and ministers with the only validated approach to people in despair. While no one can change another’s thinking or behavior, Suicidal Ideations: a Biblical Perspective for Counselors supplies the reader with discernment and an evidence based biblical approach, which enables confidence and facilitates effectiveness to help others in times of crisis.
Dr. Daniel R. Berger II is the founder and direct of Alethia International Ministries (AIM), where he continues to speak around the country at various conferences and ministries. He is also an experienced pastor, counselor, school administrator, and the author of numerous books on Christian counseling, practical theology, education, and the history and philosophy of the mental health construct. Daniel attended Bob Jones University and Florida International University, where he earned four degrees in counseling and theology. He is also a certified member of the International Association of Biblical Counselors (IABC). When he is not speaking, he and his wife Oriana live in Greenville South Carolina with their three children.
