No Small Endeavor with Lee C. Camp 211: Charles Marsh: Evangelical Anxiety
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Jun 2, 2025 In this conversation, Charles Marsh, a Commonwealth Professor of Religious Studies and author of 'Evangelical Anxiety: A Memoir', shares his journey from an upbringing steeped in evangelical dogma to a more compassionate understanding of mental health. He candidly discusses how religious teachings shaped his struggles with anxiety, often viewing his panic attacks through a lens of guilt. Marsh highlights the importance of re-evaluating faith, embracing therapy, and finding beauty in ordinary moments, urging a broader acceptance of mental health within religious communities.
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Early Anxiety Misinterpreted as Suffering
- As a seminary student, Charles Marsh suffered acute anxiety with no understanding or language to explain it.
- His evangelical lens interpreted his anxiety as a form of suffering to be joyfully accepted.
Evangelical Distrust of Therapy
- Evangelical culture often distrusts therapy, promoting the idea you should embrace mental torment as spiritual refinement.
- Charles Marsh battled anxiety for years before seeking professional mental health help, finding grace through therapy.
Conflicting Views on Desire
- Southern Baptist upbringing taught distrust of sexual desire, viewing it as impediment to union with God.
- Charles Marsh admired Catholic view of desire ascending to behold God, contrasting his restrictive evangelical lessons.
