Did Jesus Suffer From Depression?
Some in the brotherhood have begun teaching Jesus suffered from depression. I say “begun teaching” because this would have been unheard of (and summarily rejected) just a few short years ago. But the fact that it is a new teaching does not necessarily make it wrong; the fact that it is anti-scriptural is what makes it false. Notice what I Pet 2:23 says about how Jesus dealt with adversity – “Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously.” Isn’t what Jesus was already doing (according to that verse) exactly what one who is depressed should be counseled to do by depression specialists?
If you are incredulous and can’t believe any disciple of Christ would teach Christ suffered from such mental illness, that He didn’t have a completely “sound mind” (II Tim 1:7), write and I will document it for you.
If Jesus was depressed then …
Jesus is not worthy of being served (John 12:26). Leaders (like Jesus Eph 1:22) who suffer “periods of depression” should step down until that mental disorder is corrected. Personally I don’t see how those that believe this doctrine can be effective in personal evangelism (II Cor 4:13), unless they just hide this character flaw (kind of like how Mormons hide their Adam/God doctrine from prospects).
Jesus is not a very good example for us (I Pet 2:21); “bouts of depression” are not something we should want to emulate. Be honest: Would you want to copy that part of Jesus?
Jesus evidently didn’t follow His own instruction to “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God” since these brethren don’t think Jesus achieved the stated result – “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds.” (Phil 4:6-7).
Jesus hadn’t “learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content” (Phil 4:11). Isn’t being depressed the opposite of happiness/contentment?
Jesus wasn’t too good at following Matt 6:34 either – “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (NKJV)
Jesus needed to be counseled by a psychiatrist instead of the reverse. But remember how He is called the “wonderful … counsellor” (Isa 9:6)?
I would need to rewrite the personal evangelism outline “God’s Impeccable Character” I have been using for years: http://www.bibledebates.info/PersonalWork/CharacterOfGod.doc
And if there was a top ten list, the number one reason I don’t believe Jesus suffered from depression is … because the Bible never says He did.
Remember the character Gomer Pyle on the Andy Griffith show? Tall, goofy, and always happy. I guarantee you he never suffered from depression. Does that mean he was one up on Jesus? And are those in real life who don’t suffer from depression (stats say 95% of us) better than Jesus in that respect? Blasphemous to even think that way, don’t you agree?
I can’t think of a doctrine that is less glorifying of Christ (Heb 13:21, II Cor 8:23, II Pet 3:18), can you? In contradistinction, Jesus was/is of the utmost worthiness (Rev 5:4-5). Prov 12:25a reads “Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression” (NKJV). Does that accurately describe Jesus?
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