EXHIBIT 23

                  CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS



As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation by
reference in this Form 10-K of our reports included in Thomas Nelson, Inc.'s
annual report to its shareholders. In addition, we hereby consent to the
incorporation of our reports incorporated by reference in this Form 10-K,
into the Company's previously filed Registration Statements on Form S-8 (File
No. 33-80086 and File No. 333-4503).


						/s/ Arthur Andersen LLP
                                                -----------------------

Nashville, Tennessee
June 29, 2001