8/13/14. BI-POLAR DISORDER: ROBIN WILLIAMS AND WILLIAM COWPER

BLOG 8/13/14. BI-POLAR DISORDER: ROBIN WILLIAMS AND WILLIAM COWPER

The distressing report of the death by suicide of actor-comedian Robin Williams is a sobering reminder of how non-selective is this mental illness. Having been friend and pastor to a few folk with this disorder, William’s death brought sadness with it. But it also reminded me that such a mental illness is not exclusive of those of Christian faith.

I have in mind the poet and hymn-writer William Cowper, who was one of the most prolific hymn-writers we have in Christian hymnody. He lived in the middle of the eighteenth century in England and was considered also one of the great poets of that period, by such literary greats as Samuel Coleridge Taylor. But Cowper was bi-polar, and on several occasions sought to commit suicide without success.

Here was a giant, who was befriended and pastored by John Newton (of “Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound” fame, and himself a prolific hymn writer). Cowper could write such awesome hymns as: “There Is a Fountain Filled With Blood,” or “Sometimes a Light Surprises,” or “God Moves in a Mysterious Way,” which are such profound statements of Christian theology and faith—and then sink into the sheer despair and depression caused by this illness.

For those of us who are somewhat healthy, or who have only experienced very mild mood swings into depression, it is difficult to even imagine what it is like when all rationality/reason and all faith in God’s love simply disappear and we are left in the dark in sheer hopelessness and meaninglessness. It is in such a dark night that suicide becomes an option, even a desirable one—somehow to escape this nightmare.

So it was with Robin Williams, who though not evidently a person of faith, was so enormously gifted as an actor and as a comedian. Somehow the bi-polar disorder seems to be more common among those of genius. Williams could be so funny, such a clown, or such a talented actor, and so loved and popularly acclaimed—then almost immediately sink into the darkness, and so to substance abuse and endurance of his darkness.

Face it: we are all very vulnerable and fragile human beings. Our mental and emotional states as well as our physical well being are such a gift. We dare not take them for granted. I certainly am not anywhere close to being genius, but I do have those times where the clouds of confusion and darkness close in. It is because of this that I include always a prayer to the Father in heaven to be kept or guarded in my life and health—in my walk of faith (cf. I Peter 1:4-5), especially when I am not in control of my own moods and emotions.

Every time I sing one of Cowper’s incredible hymns I am reminded of the realities of the humanity of this person who contributes so much to my own spiritual nurture.

God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs
And works His sovereign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessings on your head.

About rthenderson

Sixty years a pastor-teacher within the Presbyterian Church. Author of several books, the latest of which are a trilogy on missional ecclesiology: ENCHANTED COMMUNITY: JOURNEY INTO THE MYSTERY OF THE CHURCH, then, REFOUNDING THE CHURCH FROM THE UNDERSIDE, then THE CHURCH AND THE RELENTLESS DARKNESS. Previous to this trilogy was A DOOR OF HOPE: SPIRITUAL CONFLICT IN PASTORAL MINISTRY, and SUBVERSIVE JESUS, RADICAL FAITH. I am a native of West Palm Beach, Florida, a graduate of Davidson College, then of Columbia and Westminster Theological Seminaries.
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