Seeking Sanctuary, Finding Shalom
Modern approaches to “mental health” often focus on individual resilience while leaving intact the cultural, political, economic, and ecological conditions that erode wellbeing. Drawing on his new book Seeking Sanctuary, Finding Shalom, Scottish theologian, John Swinton, will propose an approach to mental health centered on the biblical concept of shalom—peaceable communion with God, self, neighbor, and creation. He will talk about how current patterns of common life in the West pose obstacles for those with mental health challenges, and about how Christian communities might pursue practices of sanctuary that repair dissonance and foster belonging. The aim is not to eradicate suffering but to cultivate faithful flourishing within Christ’s reconciling mission.
This event is co-sponsored by the Theology, Medicine, & Cultural Initiative at Duke Divinity School (TMC) and the Triangle Christian Medical and Dental Association (CMDA). Light refreshments will be served.
Speaker bio
John Swinton is a consulting faculty member at Duke Divinity and professor in practical theology and pastoral care at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland. For more than a decade he worked as a registered mental health nurse. He also worked for a number of years as a hospital and community mental health chaplain alongside of people with severe mental health challenges who were moving from the hospital into the community. In 2004, he founded the University of Aberdeen’s Centre for Spirituality, Health and DisabilityLink opens in new tab. He has published widely within the area of mental health, dementia, disability theology, spirituality and healthcare, end-of-life care, qualitative research, and pastoral care. Swinton is the author of a number of monographs including his recent book, Finding Jesus in the Storm: The Spiritual Lives of People With Mental Health Challenges (Eerdmans 2020), which won the Aldersgate book prizeLink opens in new tab for interdisciplinary theological research, and his book Dementia: Living in the Memories of God, which won the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Ramsey PrizeLink opens in new tab for excellence in theological writing. Swinton is a fellow of the Royal Society of EdinburghLink opens in new tab and was recently elected as a fellow of the British AcademyLink opens in new tab.
About the Healthcare Fellowship Forum
The North Carolina Study Center is partnering with Triangle Christian Medical and Dental Associations and the Theology, Medicine, and Culture Initiative at Duke Divinity School to host a series of informal gatherings for Christians in health-related fields at UNC. Through mini-lectures, panels, and table conversations, these gatherings provide opportunities to learn and think with colleagues about how to live out vocations to health care with clarity, wisdom, and courage.
