I love Caldwell, but no, neither of these guys speaks for me. I get a little nervous whenever a pastor becomes political. In fact, most people I interact with in my church, I avoid even having casual political conversations with them for that reason. I might discuss issues, but usually only briefly.

While neither of these guys speak for me( have disagreements with both) I have to say that at least James Dobson has a SPINE. Most Pastors today are not willing to make even a stand as to what truth actually is ( See 57% of evangelicals and 82% of protestants claiming strong doubts as to the supremacy, authority and exclusiveness of Christ.) Peter, while I agree that it’s best for Pastors to stay out of the fray I have to ask was it right for the majority of American pastors to abstaining from opining on the topic of slavery in America the 1800’s? Was it right for many European pastors to look the other way when it came to the Nazi Party in the 1930’s? For that matter is it right for many or most of American Pastors to never speak about the evil of the Abortion industry?

There is a time and a place for everything but I know that two out of my last three pastors almost NEVER accurately presented the Plan of Salvation but claimed that that was their thrust and excuse for ignoring by far the worst Humanitarian/ Human Rights issue in the history of mankind, the Right to Life.

Ok, I hardly ever post comments and dont want to this time, but I was sending this to KirbyJon anyway so ill paste it here. This is my reposnse to it. ...........
You dont speak for me KirbyJon
Im so disappointed in you. I went to a Joy Church Conf. 5 years ago. Your annointed speaking led me to go back and start an inner city church/ministry.This year we started our second one.
Now to see this is so disappointing . You have left your annointed calling and become political. Now you have lowered your high calling to just be another Dobson and Falwell. I feel sorry for you that you felt so strong you had to do this for your own personal feelings.
No problem with you supporting Barack, but to attack Dobson is so disingenious whether he is right or wrong. You align yourself with the Rev. Wrights and Flagers which are the extremes in America. That is not what I heard in Arizona that day 5 years ago.
How could you defend a man, as bringing a fresh new vision of hope, who has aligned himself now for decades with the Radical Mean elements of society who spew hate on America, from the Pulpit?
Shame on You, Kirbyjon. If I wanted to waste my time and go to the trouble, which I wont to build a website of Hay, wood and Stuble, then it would be
KIRBYJON CALDWELL DOESNT SPEAK FOR ME!!!!!!!
Guy Melton

Well, now.  I’m always curious as to why someone would create this kind of site?  I mean...of course James Dobson doesn’t speak for you, Kirby.  YOU speak for you.  I’m not sure that you need a web site to state this fact.  This is just a weird deal.

In Dobson’s defense, he isn’t a pastor...and he’s always been an advocate for political issues.  He has been consistent in this respect.

Kirby is a pastor and should be more careful by what he reacts to.  Like it or not, pastors put away some of the their “freedoms” in Christ so as not to inflame the weaknesses of those they pastor.  I’m guessing Kirby’s church isn’t homogenous...so he should be careful about this stuff.

Besides, to react to ONE MAN in this way...just seems strange...and a little childish.  I mean...he used Dobson’s NAME in the web site.  Just seems really personal.

Then He charged them saying, “Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharises and of the leaven of Herod.” Mark 8:15

The Pharisees were religious leaders who were very political. Jesus called them hypoctites!

Herod himself was a politician. Jesus called him a fox!

Jesus encourages His men to feast on the Bread of Heaven (His Word) and stay clear of the bread (words) of religious and political men.

Let us all stay the course and keep our eyes on Jesus and our hears tuned to His Word!

“No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.”
II Timothy 2:4

Have a blessed week and speak for Jesus! Be a “voice” for the Lord like our brother John the Baptist was (John 1:23). “If any man speak, let him speak a an oracles of God...” (I Peter 4:11).

In His grace,
Gordon

thanks

Peter and Leonard,

This is the tightrope we walk.  The issues are not political at their base - they are moral issues (slavery, abortion, marriage, etc.). 

They are being played out in the political arena, so they are seen only as political issues.  Therefore when the church begins to speak up, the church is seen as being political.

This is sad, but unfortunately, we really have only ourselves to blame, in my opinion.

We (especially conservatives) have allowed ourselves to become and be seen as tools of the Republican party (yes, I’m a Republican, but leaning more Independent all the time...).  Dobson’s rants against the party notwithstanding, the Church is still viewed this way.

The tightrope is how to address issues without coming across as supporting the political machinery.

I do speak about these issues from the pulpit.  I also let them know that they are free to disagree with my conclusions, but that they need to vote from honest study and conviction rather than just spouting the party line (no matter what party) or voting their pocketbooks over bigger issues.

This angers some people who feel the Church should stay out of politics, and I’ve lost some people over it.

My usual answer is, “Would you agree that slavery is an evil thing?  If so, then you should thank God that the Church didn’t stay out of the political issue of abolition.”

As for KJ, he is entitled to his opinion, of course, but he is endorsing a candidate as a pastor (not just as a private citizen) and that is dangerous.  If a conservative did that, the media and the rest would have the IRS at our doorstep tomorrow to have our tax-exempt status revoked.

Brian L.

Thanks Jerry

Excuse me, but how can anyone say they are pro-Jesus, for Jesus, follow only Jesus and not understand that we followers of Jesus are about the work of our Father… Building the Kingdom of God… and then try to say that’s not political?  I whole-heartedly agree with the comments above, that we should not use “godliness” and differences in understanding to divide; that is ungodly.  Instead, we should work together to create unity and benefit for all people.

Does Dobson lead a church?

Pastor Joseph,
I am so exhausted by one dimensional leaders who are ‘anti-abortion’ but not ‘pro-life.’ How hypocritical are we when we take the juxtapositional stance with the NRA.
Abortion is about self-interest and murder, but so was President Bush’s decision to go take this country into Iraq - which I’d venture to guess you supported.
Pastor Joseph, and all of you who blow that horn, truth is truth, murder is murder and life is life.  Stop switching sides!

Pastor D,

WOW, you are so quick to judge and assume, and even mis-interpret what I said. I am pro-life, pro-Jesus and pro-truth. To top it off, I didn’t support the war but carefully watched, observed and prayed for my president. I hope this is not how you (as a pastor) interprets the Bible or other people.