What interested me when I first heard about Tom Nelson's depression was what I knew of him via his famous "Tommy Nelson boys". (There may be an official title for the 12 or so young men he disciples each year, but I don't know it. Among Texas evangelicals they are known as Tommy Nelson boys.)
Anyway, from encountering a couple of these guys and also a couple of girls who dated other Tommy Nelson boys, I knew a bit about the man himself. Among other things, I knew he was impatient and hard regarding the subject of depression. So when I first heard he had stepped down from the Denton Bible pulpit because of depression, I noted the irony. I wondered how hard it must have been for him to accept or even recognize. I thought of this as God laying him low that He might raise Nelson up for a new aspect of ministry.
And so He has. Watch and hear Nelson repudiate his old stance towards depression. The compassion and love he has for any and all sufferers of depression is beautiful to see. The Lord has been using this broken man to encourage and heal countless people. The man who once greeted depression with a verse and interrogation about the sin in one's life has now become depressed people's advocate and guide.
Thanks for posting this!
Posted by: Deb | October 01, 2009 at 10:06 AM
This should be required viewing for seminary students and pastors everywhere. Thanks for posting it Glenn.
Posted by: Gary Peil | October 02, 2009 at 11:45 AM
Glenn,
Thanks for posting this. I've just posted it at my own blog. I use Nelson's Song of Solomon material all the time and think highly of him. I appreciate his honesty and candor in this presentation. And, as a pastor, it was very helpful to me.
Wyman
Posted by: Wyman Richardson | November 09, 2009 at 06:06 PM