Andy Constable and Mez McConnell, Addiction and the Local Church
Fearn, Christian Focus Publications, 2025, 138 pages.
Summary: Andy and Mez are pastors in Scotland’s schemes. The schemes are essentially subsidized or public housing built as large communities in Scottland. Mez grew up in these neighborhoods as the child of a blue-collar worker, while Andy was from a more prosperous family. Both men serve the urban poor in Scotland.
The basic argument of the book is that addiction is fundamentally caused by sin. This conclusion does not exclude all aspects of the disease model, the choice model, or as “a response to emotional turmoil” (24), but it does modify them significantly. They conclude that: “Addiction is a sinful habit that enslaves a person leading to their destruction.” (31) And, “All sin destroys—but not all sin destroys equally. Addiction has a uniquely devastating effect.” (42). They also add, “The truth is that we all have sinful habits that enslave us and destroy us, because we are all idolaters who have love created things over the Creator in different ways” (43).
The hope they offer is the gospel and the gospel community of the church. “The addict needs to know that the well-groomed family sat next to him in the Sunday service is as guilty of sin and secret shame as he is. And they need to know that they are as guilty of sin and secret shame as he is!” (79)
They then go on to make suggestions for how churches can serve addicts: “The addicted person needs an honest community where people are open about their weaknesses and struggles. The addicted person needs daily fellowship, especially in the early years, so that they can feast on God’s Word and know the love of fellow disciples. The addicted person needs to be busy so that their idleness does not make light work for the devil. The addicted person needs to be picked up like a toddler when they stumble and fall.” (93).
Quotes:
“As Jane Velez-Mitchell puts it, ‘Addiction is the only disease that presents itself as the solution.” (24)
“Brandon Crow maintains that: . . .doing something constructive often leads us away from temptation, especially when that something is focused on and consistent with biblical truths. If nature abhors a vacuum, so biblical truths—and engaging in positive, biblical activities—our sinful hearts are prone to leading us to destructive, unbiblical directions (which tend to be in keeping with the world’s standards).” (110)
“. . . .hard-heartedness will kill you love for people and will cause you to doubt the power of the gospel. Yet, we should grow in healthy discernment where we understand the cycles of deception, manipulation and addiction don’t die easily” (125).
Benefits/Detriments: A solid biblical and church-based response to addiction, emphasizing the gospel. Recommended for all.