The Renegade Psychiatrist – An Amazing and Life-changing Book . . . 

By Larry Banta 

“This will absolutely change your life…” 

How many times have you heard that promise on the TV or radio?   

Will these new gadgets really change my life? Do they really offer what they say they will? Will the change last? 

I know a book that truly does change your life. Many times over the years I have heard stories of amazing changes in lives of people who happened upon a copy of the Bible. The change was not temporary but lasting for life (and beyond). My library has many books on the shelves but this one book beside me on my desk is something special. The power contained in the words of this book is just amazing. You could provide any other book to someone and it may be interesting, it may provide some help, but will it truly change your life? 

When my youngest, Nate, was in Bible college, I came on board at the college for a few years to teach a missions class with him. The class would lead up to a mission trip during spring break. We packed the students into the school’s van and headed south from Idaho. Just crossing the border into Mexico with California is a village called Tecate. It was a short distance from there to the church we were working with. We had with us a few boxes of Bibles we planned to give away on the plaza. We did not find parking close by, so Nate and I let the students out with the boxes of Bibles. 

We proceeded around the corner to park. After walking back in just a few minutes we saw that all of the Bibles were already distributed. The previously quiet plaza was buzzing with lively talking and discussion. Everywhere around the plaza people were reading passages out loud or just quietly to themselves. Some who could not read had their children reading to them. Nate and I, fluent in Spanish, accompanied the students, going from person to person talking with them about the Bible. The excitement was truly electric. Many had never seen a Bible but had always wanted one. Some had gone to church but had wandered away from their faith. There were tears of regret and joy mixed. What other book could bring such excitement and joy? 

Some years prior to that, while living in Mexico, I was invited to a small village in the mountains about a four-hour drive away from our home. The people had no medical care and many were sick. I agreed to start coming with a team to help out. We brought ample medical supplies. We started our days at the clinic with a small devotion, talking about our reason for coming and our faith in Christ. A friend sent me a large box of Scripture portions in Spanish as well as a few Bibles. We passed those around at the next clinic. Oh the excitement! Children were reading to their parents the book of John, which is what we had at the time. They clearly hungered for more. Soon we were regularly preaching and teaching along with the medical care. It took some time but eventually a church was planted which transformed the little village. Now there are three churches and a full-time pastor traveling between them. 

Throughout the centuries and around the world much the same has happened. In 1949 in northeast India, in two tribal areas there were no Christians. Now more and more of the population believes. What happened? There were two people that year, one from the Naga tribe and one from the Khasi tribe who found a copy of the Bible. One was left by a salesman traveling in the area. Upon reading it they were impressed. One of them wrote to the United States to get help. The letter was actually addressed to “The United States of America.” The letter circulated with the wind of the Holy Spirit no doubt and found a couple in Lincoln, Ill. This couple was ready to go to Tibet but they were not able due to the communist takeover. They accepted the challenge and traveled to the area in tribal northeast India. There they stayed for 17 years, starting many churches, schools, and a training center for pastors. The Book, God’s very Word, changed a cannibalistic culture based in witchcraft and animism to a beautiful Christian community. There are many stories like this. 

The people who walked in darkness 

have seen a great light; 

those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, 

on them has light shone. 

– Isaiah 9:2 

An awesome creation, this book. Written over a period of 4,000 years by many different authors but with no contradictions, it is straightforward truth. These words are so powerful that when someone places their faith in God as directed in the book, their lives are changed, forever. Those who have set out to disprove the Bible either give up or become ardent followers of Christ. There are many examples, some of whom became famous evangelists of their time. Archeologists have not been able to disprove any of the history. Every dig comes up with more proofs of the absolute inerrancy of the Bible. Several have used the Bible to direct the digs with great success because it is true. 

“All flesh is like grass 

and all its glory like the flower of grass. 

The grass withers, 

and the flower falls, 

but the word of the Lord remains forever.” 

And this word is the good news that was preached to you. 

– 1 Peter 1:25-26 

Thousands, maybe hundreds of thousands, have Bibles in their homes which lay gathering dust, unopened, unused. What if you had a serious illness and you sought help from your doctor? He prescribed a strong medicine for you to start right away, designed to cure your illness. You went home in great joy as you had the cure! The medicine bottle stood in a prominent place in your front room to show everyone this great and wonderful medicine that could cure your illness. However, the bottle remained unopened. Is it not the same having the very words of life on the shelf or prominent on the coffee table but you only consider its decorative value? 

I have stored up your word in my heart, 

that I might not sin against you. 

– Psalms 119:11 

In many countries these words are feared to the point that Bibles are prohibited. Even those in authority know how powerful these words are. The words are able to promote such a change in people that they would rather die than give up their faith in Christ as found in those very words.   

Your word is a lamp to my feet 

and a light to my path. 

– Psalms 119:105 

Take the Bible off the shelf, open it and find the words that will truly change your life! 

Dr. Larry Banta is an author of several books, a retired psychiatrist, and a former missionary. He served in India, Mexico and Kenya. He and his wife, Evelyn, a counselor, travel together to provide consultation and training in various international locations.