Human Depravity, ADHD and The Fall

I heard a message today while driving by a well known preacher/teacher, whose commentaries I also have. I respect him and his ministry as I know many in my circle of associates also do. However I stand in disagreement of some comments he made today and would like to educate him a little about neurological disorders, that yes, they are real. I believe like he does in total human depravity, that man sins because he is a sinner, yet I believe depravity rears itself in some different ways. Yes, sin and the sin nature is the end result of the Fall, having affected all of creation, and with that comes diseases and disorders that Jesus healed while on this earth, including blindness from birth, the lame, and mute to name a few. This preacher today made comments about how when he was a child his parents would receive notes from the teacher that he would not sit still nor pay attention, would talk too much and would be unruly. He made a comment that he did not have some kind of disorder and was happy that his parents did not turn him into a drug addict (prescription drugs are often prescribed to treat ADD/ADHD), but rather they would not spare 'the rod'. He said the rod worked. I am in agreement in using the rod as needed, and it may be used in various forms of discipline, and sometimes it may need to be a real rod to deliver a spanking. However I have three children with three different personalities and each one responds differently to discipline styles. That is great that he responded to the rod, maybe he didn't really have ADD/ADHD or maybe he had one type out of the seven possible types of ADD/ADHD, but science has shown us through brain scanning that there are indeed differences in brain functioning when comparing a non-ADD/ADHD wired brain with the brain scan of one who has been diagnosed as ADD/ADHD. Does this prove Scripture to be in error? Absolutely not, rather the more I study neurology and the mental health disorders associated with it, the more I see science clearing up some things we may not have as fully understood from Scripture. The lens cover is now coming off! I see science more affirming things the Bible has already told us! It sheds more light on human depravity. Hence, to say, this well respected preacher/teacher who I believe was trying to uphold the glory of God, has done vice versa, because he just does not know. If one understands ADD/ADHD then they also more fully understand Romans 7 and Paul's issue with sin. This preacher also needs to know that it is not only the unruly child who has ADD/ADHD but also many adults are living with it. I know of one young adult who would not stop drinking and would have drank their self to death in a short period if it were not for ADD/ADHD meds. which balanced this persons neurotransmitters. This person put the bottle down after getting the meds. normalized and hasn't felt a need to return to it! I also got an email today from a lady who is really struggling due to the fact that her husband has ADD/ADHD and some co-morbid conditions associated with it, and he refuse to to take medications. It may be a long road for them. Anyway, I hope this has enlightened you and any preacher/teacher out there who does not know the facts about ADD/ADHD. If you want to be brought up to speed then lets chat, and i have a power point presentation we can look at. It could save a number of your parishioners much grief, and about 25% of the families in your congregation are dealing with or know someone who is dealing with mental health issues. Another roughly 5-10% have ADD/ADHD and some don't even know it, but wonder what their problem is, why they feel different, or why they keep stumbling through life. Become informed and through that be more effective in pastoral care. You see, human depravity is displayed through a child who does not have to learn selfishness, the adult who cheats on their spouse and then lies and covers it up, or like King David, murders the spouse of the one he seduced. It is displayed in war, incest, sickness, and in various disorders, such as mental health neurological disorders. It does not mean that one person is 'messed up' more than another, rather our depraved condition is manifest in various ways, yet all brought on by the Fall of Man. We are not sinners because we sin, rather we sin because of our fallen nature, human depravity and all of creation has been affected, even brain neurons which do not deliver the proper amounts of serotonin across the synapse, because there is a disorder. To the One who knew no sin, but became sin for us, may He get the glory through this, because even so He loves us and gave Himself for us. May you continue to "study to show yourself approved."