Dr. Dobson in the News
Posted on June 24, 2008
Filed Under Life, Social Issues, Dr. Dobson's Broadcast
The special issues broadcast which aired the past two days has generated some national news media attention. Maybe you’ve seen the coverage on ABC TV, read it in the blogging world or heard it on the radio. You can still listen in here.
UPDATE: Readers, thanks for the many comments. I did not anticipate the significant response we’d get when I linked to Dr. Dobson’s recorded comments from last Tuesday! As indicated in the past, this is not an open-forum, and we reserve the right to edit comments. I’ll not be posting all feedback, but with those that have been published have tried to show a fair representation of remarks we received.
BTW, the intent of this blog is not to highlight public policy or election issues, but to add a personal touch to my on-air work, let readers see a bit of Focus from a behind-the-scenes perspective, and to bring practical marriage and parenting advice. It is my hope you’ll come back from time to time and find the posts helpful - and hopefully a bit entertaining, too.
Thanks again for reading - and commenting.
* This blog entry has been paid for by Focus on the Family Action, Inc.
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31 Responses to “Dr. Dobson in the News”
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It’s sad that so much of our culture is adversarial with, maybe not Christanity itself, but certainly anyone or any ideas that seem “evangelical/right wing/conservative”. I am sure that Dr. Dobson and staff are praying about their responses to Sen Obama’s hostile ideas and lax attitude toward theology. I write to encourage you as you continue to pray.
It may be for such a time as this that Dr. Dobson is living in our age and is seen as so representative of all born-again believers. That’s an enormous responsibility and I wouldn’t want it. I’ll pray that eventhough there is down-right rage, indignation, hatred that is spewed at you/us by the politicians and media that our response will always be love. Speaking the truth in love I hope that you will please, please consider that there are people who may hear the gospel for the first and possibly only time as you answer Obama’s statements. Eventhough I’m sure the natural response would be to defend yourself (who could blame you), you might educate on why for instance we don’t have to consider stoning people anymore. (I do pray that you won’t spend too much time defending God’s position on stoning, slavery, specifics of sacrifice, dietary laws of the Old Testament. I think if we are lured into a debate of the Old Testament people will feel justified in their hatred.
So many people don’t know what we know. They don’t know the great good news that the Old Testament wasn’t the end but the beginning. They don’t know that Christianity is not primarily a code of ethics and morals, but the story of the redemption of humanity. If we let it become merely an issue of morals we are sunk because we are also fallen people and cannot save ourselves, nor the country, through our own actions. Of course, you know this.
May God bless you and bring glory to Himself through you.
Sincerely,
Pamela
I want to thank you for your stance and I hope that it will wake some Christians up.
I say BRAVO Dr. Dobson! I am so proud of you for speaking up for the Truth of the Word of God. I appreciate you taking the heat for being Salt of the World these days. I will be praying for Dr. Dobson specifically… Thank you and God bless you, strengthen and encourage you as you are on the front lines fighting hard.
Thanks to Dr. Dobson for his stand for The Word of God. I pray to be able to follow his example. He is in our prayers as he receives wisdom and discernment in future responses. I just wanted him to know that he is appreciated, he is not alone, and he is being lifted by faith to the holy throne of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Be blessed and protected today by the shed blood of our Saviour, jesus Christ!!!
“Hostile views,” Pamela? Maybe you should read more of the Obama speech that Dobson reacted to.
It’s here:
http://www.barackobama.com/2006/06/28/call_to_renewal_keynote_address.php
some highlights you might wanna notice:
“But what I am suggesting is this - secularists are wrong when they ask believers to leave their religion at the door before entering into the public square. Frederick Douglas, Abraham Lincoln, Williams Jennings Bryant, Dorothy Day, Martin Luther King - indeed, the majority of great reformers in American history - were not only motivated by faith, but repeatedly used religious language to argue for their cause. So to say that men and women should not inject their “personal morality” into public policy debates is a practical absurdity. Our law is by definition a codification of morality, much of it grounded in the Judeo-Christian tradition.”
…
“But a sense of proportion should also guide those who police the boundaries between church and state. Not every mention of God in public is a breach to the wall of separation - context matters. It is doubtful that children reciting the Pledge of Allegiance feel oppressed or brainwashed as a consequence of muttering the phrase “under God.” I didn’t. Having voluntary student prayer groups use school property to meet should not be a threat, any more than its use by the High School Republicans should threaten Democrats. And one can envision certain faith-based programs - targeting ex-offenders or substance abusers - that offer a uniquely powerful way of solving problems.”
Are you kidding me? Seriously?
From CNN: Tom Minnery, senior vice president of Focus Action, said “There is no need to ‘make stuff up’ as it relates to Sen. Obama’s interpretation of Scripture and the role of religion in the public square.”
“His statements and record make clear his questionable perception of both. To argue that the Sermon on the Mount invalidates the Defense Department — as if Jesus Himself didn’t have anything to say about the existence of good and evil and the need to combat evil — is about as deep as anyone needs to go to understand where the senator is coming from,” Minnery also said.
Could this be more exaggerated and blown out of proportion? He wasn’t invalidating the department of defense. Get a grip. As an evangelical, Bible believing, Christian (sadly, I feel I have to list my ‘credentials’ or I’m dismissed as an ‘ungodly’ voice), I have to say - Stop embarrassing us! We look like idiots to the world. Stop this nitpicking and focus on something that really matters. The real injustices in the world - abuse, starvation, poverty, disease. We are losing our voice by wasting it in this way.
i have seen what Omama has said about your comments i recieve your newletters by mail & hear your boradcasts regularly. i pray that you will continue to stand up for what is right in this country as the media isn’t
It appears to me that this blog is simply a pro-Dobson blog, and if so, this will not likely be published. It’s OK either way, I guess, but someone in the evangelical community needs to be heard in opposition, and I ask that you, John, would prayerfully consider this. I’m an evangelical pastor, and a Nazarene (like Dobson), and I feel that his approach and views regarding Sen. Obama’s speech are misguided, inaccurrate, and misleading.
Sincerely,
Dr. Charles W. Christian, Pastor
North Seattle Church of the Nazarene
Seattle, WA.
I’m a proud, progressive democrat. Perhaps this is Dr. Dobson’s attempt to begin rallying support for Senator McCain. I know he hasn’t fully embraced him, but the timing is ironic. And, “fruitcake interpretation?” Are those type of ad hominem attacks necessary? I’m Agnostic, but I happen to respect the Senators religious beliefs, that doesn’t appear to be the case with Dr. Dobson. Or is he merely challenging the Senators interpretation of the bible? If so, why? Religious ideology (especially this day in age) has no place in politics, which is why separation of church and state is paramount.
Respectfully,
Vel Holman
“off the air” about sums it up!
Dr Dobson,
My family and I would like to thank you for your honesty and defense of the scriptures…
For those of us who know Jesus as our Savior and Lord and know His precious Word see right through the twisted lies of some who are plain ignorant to the truth.
We applaud your stand and your defense. We are convinced this is just the beginning for true Christians as to what is a head.
Christians open your Bibles and read it and know what it says!
Love in Christ,
Jeff and Nancy
Please let Dr. Dobson know that I stand with him!
I have ALWAYS admired his integrity and courage to stand up for what is right. God help America!! I have listened to Dr. Dobson since I became a Christian (which was over 38 yrs ago). I Always value his what he has to say. I am praying earnestly for him & Focus on the Family. May the Lord continue to strentghen, encourage, & BLESS you. Thank you for standing in the gap for families! With all my graditude. Debbie
I believe the best approach a this point for all evangelical, protestant, catholic, baptist, pentecostal, apostolic, right witn, left wing, conservative, liberal, middle of the road christian is to simply “Pray” with out ceasing and speaking.
I stand with Dr. Dobson and the rest of the Focus on the Family staff. As a student at the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, I know all too well about the attacks many people will use against the Word of God, including warping the Old Testament laws for the nation of Israel as something to be replicated in society today in order to make Christianity look bad.
My girlfriend and I have been monitoring the 2008 U.S. Presidential Election race very carefully from the beginning. If most of the world is in favor of someone or something, chances are high that we as Christians ought to be standing against it, because the world hates the truth and loves the darkness, and usually sides against God.
To Dobson and company, keep blowing the whistle and raising the alarm. You have many people behind you one-hundred percent, and we will not be deceived by Barack’s smooth speech and flattering toungue.
In Christ,
Jason
Dr. Dobson,
Many who follow your teachings don’t always agree with you, at all times. And as God gave you ‘Free Will,’ He would ask the same of you, in respect to whom we elect as a people to govern our country.
Allow us to determine who we want for president, not based on who you would want, because clearly, your ‘all or nothing method’, isn’t working.
Recall, Dr. Dobson, the last person you told us to embrace, didn’t do too right by most American’s, and for that reason, that person’s legacy is now part of your legacy.
Christian’s of today, clearly understand, there are many facets to life and responsibilities that ensue. There’s more than one single issue at hand… War and death, poverty and health, the environment… they’re all important, to all of us. To try to make us believe otherwise, is a faulted view and interpretation.
In all honesty, you’ve attempted to teach us, those aforementioned aspects of life, weren’t really important, to God.
I would ask of you, based on your past experience, as far as your guidance, politically, keep those beliefs to yourself.
God’s values are not subject to compromise, yet you keep recommending those who seem to think so.
Readers: I’m traveling right now, and will ask for your patience in sorting through the many comments received thus far. We’ll post what we can in the 18 hours or so.
Thanks much!
John
Thanks to you, Dr. Dobson, and the whole Focus team for standing up for the clear text of the Bible and for speaking the truth!
It is amazing to me how Obama and others who demonstrate not the least bit of understanding or sympathy for any of God’s requirements will somehow claim to be people of strong faith. Faith in what?
I am ominously reminded of the (successful) efforts of Hitler to sway the German church for his own purposes. He was famously photographed walking down the steps of a cathedral, and sadly this type of propaganda was sufficient to convince the majority of those who claimed to be Christian to step in line behind him.
The comments above would likely spark outrage from the liberal camp, which I think demonstrates how intolerant our ‘tolerant’ oponents are.
Dr. Dobson DOES speak for those of us who believe that the Bible says what it clearly means, that life is precious and that wrong is wrong.
Dr, Dobson,
I listen to you each morning and have a great deal of respect for you and your ministry. I understand and can feel the frustration that you seem to experience when somone has a negative comment to make about you. I think as Christians we must expect these comments. I know a couple of our neighbors laugh at us and our friends of 15 years laugh at us because we dont drink. I think that tough skin and strong faith with prayer is relevant in these situations. Many times when someone is commenting,it is out of jealousy and personal perception. So don’t worry about what others think especially people that are not faithful to the cause.
God Bless you,
Danny
Heard the program–Dr Dobson is spot-on. This is a spiritual battle we are in and we know who wins that, but in the meantime–we as evangelicals must be gentle-yet speak the truth in Love. We all need to pray for Dr Dobson and his family—he is our warrior and our mouthpiece–and says everything we wish we could state publicly. God knows the outcome and we must be obedient to Him and await what He has in store for our country. Pray brothers and sisters in the Lord, for this beautiful man of God!
Dear Dr. Fuller:
I pray that in Jesus’ most holy name that He will extend great encouragement to Dr. Dobson and all of Focus on the Family. I cannot imagine the pressure and the criticism that He must be taking. He is acting as prophet to this season in history. It is so vitally important that he continue to do so. I was a very liberal atheist before God saved me. I even began my Christian life in a very liberal denomination. But, as I began studying the Bible my views began to change. Believe me, no one was teaching me the biblical view of life, I was absorbing it directly from the Word of God. The Truth of His Word changed my life forever. Please, please Dr. Dobson, please accept my sincerest gratitude for taking this stand.
Your sister/daughter in Christ, Suzan Bulaga
Dobson must respect Obamas beliefs. He can disagree 100%, but he needs to respect alternate interpretations than his own. When we start to judge others interpretations, we are assuming the arrogance judging people when that’s not our place, that’s God’s place. Conversely, Obama, while choosing a different interpretation of the scripture has shown that he believes differently but his own words show respect for Mr. Dobson’s rights to a different opinion. So, who’s view is more like Christ?
I think this one of of the disconnects when it comes to interpreting the constitution. The right often call the Supreme Court out for ‘legislating from the bench’, but the left feels that’s exactly what the conservative justices are doing! Mr Obama is right that you need to have your faith and morals, but when interpreting the constitution, you have to look at everyone. Mr Dobson has said himself that “it is undemocratic to try to pass legislation that I find offensive to the Scripture.”
When you bring a foreign source, yes, including the Bible into your interpretation of the constitution, you’ve corrupted the purpose of the constitution. THAT is legislating from the Bench.
Read what Mr. Obama says on the issue:
““Democracy demands that the religiously motivated translate their concerns into universal, rather than religion-specific, values. It requires that their proposals be subject to argument, and amenable to reason…I cannot simply point to the teachings of my church or evoke God’s will. I have to explain why … it violates some principle that is accessible to people of all faiths, including those with no faith at all”
Wow… I think he’s got it! Can you really explain to me how your personal faith should influence decisions made for everyone?
That is where Family comes in, and that’s where pushing faith, the bible, etc should be. Raising kids to make the right decisions is the answer, but God gave us free will as well, the chance to choose right from wrong. You can’t legislate that. However, a strong family with good morals doesn’t necessarily mean that they have to be Christian either. Family and Christian are NOT the same thing, but a strong family, and your church is a great place to bring this all together! Not in politics or interpretation of the constitution.
I just want to say “ditto” to Pamela’s e-mail and to encourage Dr. Dobson, and all of you on the front lines, to continue the good work you are doing. It must be even more discouraging to you than to us to fight so hard and see impudent judges overturning majority votes, etc.
You remain in our hearts and prayers, and we so appreciate your courage and love of God and His creation. Thank you for stepping out of your comfort zones to speak out for what we all believe. We are so blessed to have people like you representing us!
I wish Dr. Dobson could actually have a conversation with Senator Obama - one-on-one - soaked in prayer beforehand. I doubt that Obama’s advisors would want that - but I would love to see them actually have an open, spontaneous, public forum.
Again, we love and support you, and thank you for your courage and commitment.
With continued prayers for your wisdom and safety,
Kristina
No wonder people turn away from Christianity when it is preached with this kind of obvious political agenda. There is a proscription in the Bible against turning people away from Jesus. Surely there can be room for “liberal” christians as well as “conservative” christians. Jesus’ tent was big enough for all sinners. I would not want to be the one explaining to God why I turned so many people away from his son.
I have followed Dr. Dobson closely since 1977, shortly after the birth of my first daughter. His sound, biblical advice has been ‘centerstage’ as we raised all three of our daughters, who are now adults.
Anyone that begins to advocate a twisted view of the Word, for their own use, MUST be challenged — and very few are willing to do so. Thanks to Dr. Dobson for standing up for us — I will continue to pray for your safety, wisdom and strength.
I must say that sometimes I could very easily just throw my hands up in the air, sequester my self in my house and just tell this culture to do their own thing—-Just leave me alone— But as Christians we are called to redeem the times..Thank you Dr. Dobson for leading the charge. As a principal in the public school sector, you need to know that you are not alone in this battle. I have purposed this summer to pray for you and FOTF. (everyday) May our Lord bless and keep you.
I agree with “speaking the truth in love.”
I have supported, both prayerfully and financially, Dr. Dobson and Focus on the Family since Arcadia and Pomona. I greatly respect Dr. Dobson for faithfully taking a strong stand against issues that adversely effect families and this nation. Dr. Dobson has my great admiration and support for his actions which, at times, he is the lone voice crying out in the wilderness.
My thanks to Dr. Dobson,
Toni
Whatever face is put on those who support ideas contrary to Biblical truths we must stand against them.
Continue to Be Faithful to Gods Word.
Regards,
~Joel in CA.
Dr. Dobson spoke the truth about Obama’s confused theology. The senator has a minimal understanding of scripture and has wrapped New Age and tolerance into his supposed interpretation of the Bible. Several paths to God? Sorry, BHO, you’re wrong. After Dr. Dobson spoke, Mr. Caldwell and the Obama campaign attack machines started to hurl insults and vile accusations at Jim Dobson. That breaks my heart. He does not deserve their vindictive, uneducated rants. Our family will be praying for the Doctor.
Dr.Dobson: I admire your biblical stance on moral issues, keep up the good work,
Anna
I have ben an admirer of Dr, James Dobson for many years. I am 92 and have walked with my Lord since I was 16 years of age. I thank God
for his courage and spirit and for his brave stand for the Word of God and for his faith. I have 23 great grandchildren and I shudder to think what they will face unless we stand loud and clear, in love, for right as it is declared in God’s Word. God bless you and give you supernatural strength.
In Christian love,
Prayerfully,
Lucile
Oregon
God bless you and give you supernatural strength and discernment as you continue to lead us.