The 'likes of James Dobson'

[Woody]

Dwight Nelson is on Hope Channel right now making attacks on James Dobson.

Is it right for our pastors to make attacks on other preachers outside of our church or inside of it?

Saying "the likes of James Dobson" does not seem appropriate to me especially for one of our public speakers like Dwight Nelson.

[Bravus]

Heh, how much of their preaching time did EGW and the other early SDAs spend attacking other churches? A fair bit, seems to me. I'm not attacking them, just noticing that this solicitousness for other preachers is a new phenomenon.

I used to respect James Dobson and appreciate his work, but for mine he got much too tangled up in politics.

[Woody]

Are you thinking of Pat Robertson?

[phkrause]

Dwight Nelson is on Hope Channel right now making attacks on James Dobson.

Is it right for our pastors to make attacks on other preachers outside of our church or inside of it?

Saying "the likes of James Dobson" does not seem appropriate to me especially for one of our public speakers like Dwight Nelson.

I did miss that program, what exactly did he say? I would say that we shouldn't attack others inside or outside, but having said that, I think that if someone say something that goes against our principles, than I believe we do need to speak to that. And also how about what Pr. Tucker said about Pr. Batchelor? Some took that as an attack, but I didn't see it that way, just a difference of opinion is what I saw there.

[Bravus]

Nope, James Dobson. He got very involved in delivering Christian votes to the Republicans on the 'family values' ticket. Have a look at the 'political and social influence' section of his Wikipedia entry for details. Note that my objection is not to the flavor of politics he chose but to the active involvement of Christian leaders in party-political activity at all.

[Woody]

PK ... I would say speak to the issues rather than the person. The same should apply here.

Saying 'the likes of' is referring to a person's character in my book. Just say James Dobson states and then address what he states. But you don't need to say 'the likes of'.

ADD: I would also say it's extremely important that if you are going to address what someone believes or states .... that you quote them accurately. Something sadly missing often.

[phkrause]

I do agree, but I'd still like to hear it for myself. Do you know what the name of the program was and if its coming on again at any time soon?

[Woody]

Radical Part 2

Sermon at Pioneer Memorial Church

[phkrause]

Radical Part 2

Sermon at Pioneer Memorial Church

Maybe I did see that. Was it this morning or this afternoon? But either way I don't recall him saying that.

[Woody]

today

early afternoon

He made the statement at 2:30 to be exact.

Hope this helps

Put your TIVO on rewind

[Gerr]

Dwight Nelson is on Hope Channel right now making attacks on James Dobson.

Is it right for our pastors to make attacks on other preachers outside of our church or inside of it?

Saying "the likes of James Dobson" does not seem appropriate to me especially for one of our public speakers like Dwight Nelson.

I would like to see what he said and in what context.

[Woody]

Originally Posted By: Woody

Dwight Nelson is on Hope Channel right now making attacks on James Dobson.

Is it right for our pastors to make attacks on other preachers outside of our church or inside of it?

Saying "the likes of James Dobson" does not seem appropriate to me especially for one of our public speakers like Dwight Nelson.

I would like to see what he said and in what context.

Like I said to pk ... put your TIVO on rewind.

But for me it does not matter the context.

Address the issue and not the person.

Snide remarks like questioning a person's character are not needed. And I like Dwight. I just think he errored.

[TWNolan]

It would help if some of us had TIVO or DVR

[Woody]

Here's a thought:

"Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand." Romans 14:4 (ESV)

[Bravus]

Again, how do you deal with the early SDA church's railing against Catholicism and 'apostate Protestantism' in the light of that text. I mean, I agree with you: I think it's hugely unhelpful to tear down other believers. But I'm just not sure that's an SDA value...

[Woody]

Again Bravus ... those are 'isms that you mentioned.

I have no problem with attacking 'isms. Just don't attack the person with the 'isms.

[Bravus]

{nods} - I do understand that distinction.

[bonnie]

Nope, James Dobson. He got very involved in delivering Christian votes to the Republicans on the 'family values' ticket. Have a look at the 'political and social influence' section of his Wikipedia entry for details. Note that my objection is not to the flavor of politics he chose but to the active involvement of Christian leaders in party-political activity at all.

Any different than the Rev Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton.

Seems to me they were trying to deliver votes to the leaders in the democratic party

[Dr. Shane]

I didn't hear the sermon but there is a lot in other Christian denominations that is objectionable. I have considered writing a book called "Why I Hate Christianity". Adventism is sectarian and that is a good thing. There are a lot of things wrong with mainstream Christianity that are not part of Adventism and sometimes it is wise for an Adventist preacher to make the distinction.

Of course Dr. James Dobson has made some fabulous contributions to Christian society. His radio programs and books have guided uncounted thousands to raise their children in a Christian mindset and the Lord only knows how many souls will be in the kingdom because of him. That is not to endorse all of his beliefs but I know that he has helped my wife and I in raising our children.

[doug yowell]

Dwight Nelson wrote a book back in the 90's called Countdown to Showdown in which he called out the "Religious Right" and basically tied the coming religious oppression to their shoulders.He implied that their political activism fulfilled end time prophesy.Naturally, I'm quite interested to see what he said (in context)this time. Impugning the motives and morality of the Religious Right is nothing new to Adventist leaders,but it has laid dormant for awhile.

[Dr. Shane]

I can't help but think that politics influences some of these Adventist pastor's objectivity. Other denominations that support Republicans will somehow support the national Sunday law. Yet the far left that wants to limit the amount of toilet paper we can wipe with and the number of times we can flush the toilet is no threat to liberty.

[doug yowell]

Of course Dr. James Dobson has made some fabulous contributions to Christian society. His radio programs and books have guided uncounted thousands to raise their children in a Christian mindset and the Lord only knows how many souls will be in the kingdom because of him. That is not to endorse all of his beliefs but I know that he has helped my wife and I in raising our children.

I consider Dobson to be the greatest man of the past generation.His outspoken criticism of legalized abortion, homosexuality,the governmental abduction of education,the popular attacks on family values,on and on...exposed him to the most vitriolic and dishonest character attacks of any one of this generation. When most Christians leaders,including most Adventists,were silent about the rapidly dissolving society around them,Dobson had the guts to sound the warning and take the heat that followed.While many Adventists continue to label him as a dangerous fanatic they remain ignorant of the fact that many of his views were shaped by the same philosophy that motivated the writings of EGW.Dobson stood in the gap when God could find no one else.

[Dr. Shane]

Dobson's legacy will not be any of the political lobbying he did. Focus On The Family will be his legacy. That ministry has transformed the lives of many, including many Adventists. They have produced a lot of good radio and some television programs. A generation of Christian children have been raised on the Adventures In Odyssey.

[Dr. Shane]

Another amazing thing about Dr. Dobson. He has survived a heart attack, cancer and a major stroke. God obviously has some purpose for him.

[doug yowell]

I can't help but think that politics influences some of these Adventist pastor's objectivity. Other denominations that support Republicans will somehow support the national Sunday law. Yet the far left that wants to limit the amount of toilet paper we can wipe with and the number of times we can flush the toilet is no threat to liberty.

I agree that politics will affect the objectivity of the liberal SDA pastor. But I think that every bit as prejudicial is the influence of warped eschatological conclusions that many conservative SDA leaders hold.Attaching Sunday legislation motives to Evangelicals who care nothing about Sunday sacredness is more than a stretch.