How Long, O Lord? Fairbairn’s Object Relations Theory and the Practice of Lament

Abstract

The biblical practice of lament has been largely neglected in many modern evangelical Christian contexts in the United States, despite increasing calls to reclaim this spiritual practice. This loss of lament is not without cost, and various negative impacts on individuals and communities have been suggested in the literature. The present article argues that lament cannot be reclaimed by commending its practice only, but psychological obstacles to lament must also be identified and addressed. Toward this end, a view is advanced that lament may be understood as an emotionally dynamic relational act, and that Fairbairn’s object relations theory—including his notion of the moral defense—illuminates dynamics that make lament difficult for some people to engage in fully and authentically, if at all. Practical implications for navigating these dynamics and facilitating greater engagement with lament are discussed to aid the work of those involved in mental health and soul care.