Mega-Church Pastor Starts “JamesDobsonDoesntSpeakforMe.com”
- Posted by: Todd
- Posted on: Mon, June 30, 2008
- Viewed 329
- (40) comments so far
Here’s more…
What does speak for me is David’s psalm celebrating how good and pleasant it is when we come together in unity;
Micah speaks for me in reminding us that the Lord requires us to act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with Him;
The prophet Isaiah speaks for me in his call for all to come and reason together and also to seek justice, encourage the oppressed and to defend the cause of the vulnerable;
The book of Nehemiah speaks for me in its example to work with our neighbors, not against them, to restore what was broken in our communities;
The book of Matthew speaks for me in saying to bless those that curse you and pray for those who persecute you;
The words of the apostle Paul speak for me in saying that words spoken and deeds done without love amount to nothing.
The apostle John speaks for me in reminding us of Jesus’ command to love one another. The world will know His disciples by that love.
These words speak for me. But when James Dobson attacks Barack Obama, James Dobson doesn’t speak for me.
You can view the website here...
I’d really love to hear what you think about this one. Do either of these guys speak for you? Should they? If so, which one?
Does Kirbyjon’s political activism in this instance make you a little nervous? If so, why doesn’t Dobson’s?
I’ve got a lot more questions than answers on this one…
Let me know what you think…
In an ironic move, President Bush's 'pastor' Kirbyjon Caldwell has started a pro-Obama website. According to JamesDobsonDoesntSpeakforMe.com, "Dr. James Dobson recently attacked Barack Obama for a 2006 speech that Obama gave on his Christian faith. Does he speak for you?" Here are some of their points on the main page of the website:
James Dobson doesn't speak for me.
He doesn't speak for me when he uses religion as a wedge to divide;
He doesn't speak for me when he speaks as the final arbiter on the meaning of the Bible;
James Dobson doesn't speak for me when he uses the beliefs of others as a line of attack;
He doesn't speak for me when he denigrates his neighbor's views when they don't line up with his;
He doesn't speak for me when he seeks to confine the values of my faith to two or three issues alone;
Comments
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Amos Allen on Mon, June 30, 2008
Here, here. Dr. Dobson has done many good things, but he doesn’t speak for me. I don’t understand politics, and I don’t like his being political to set values.
Peter Hamm on Mon, June 30, 2008
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.
Adam Gregory on Mon, June 30, 2008
I don’t think either of these fellows speaks for me. The only one that speaks for me is Jesus, and he did all the talking that was necessary 2000 years ago.
I think Dobson has in the past been a good voice for Christianity, but over time he has become less about Christ and more about politics. I recently heard him remark on the radio that “America is God’s nation” though I don’t remember what the whole conversation was about That one remark stood out to me, because clearly America is not God’s nation. God never Choose America to be His people. He choose Israel. Sure we might be a country founded by men who had a Christian background, but we are not God’s nation.
Dr. Dobson, you are a great man and I would never presume to question your motives, righteousness or beliefs. I just think that the time has come for you to pass the reins to the next generation and allow your values to be spoken through a more in touch voice. I would never want to see the core biblical values of Focus on the Family change, just the way in which they are presented to the American public.
jud on Mon, June 30, 2008
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.
Peter Hamm on Mon, June 30, 2008
Jud,
I would argue that perhaps slavery, abortion, the evils of Nazi Germany were also moral issues, and should be/should have been addressed from the pulpit as those and not as political issues. And in each of those cases, we have very dedicated church people who did and are doing something about it. (I’m particularly encouraged by the amazing effect a lot of “fringe Christians” had on our nation in the first half of the nineteenth century, eventually resulting in the abolition of that horrible estate of slavery.)
I believe strongly that it can be done without making politics the forum.
guy on Mon, June 30, 2008
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
Leonard on Mon, June 30, 2008
Peter,
Can you clarify what you mean about those also being moral issues and should have been addressed as those an not political issues? Thanks
Rick White on Mon, June 30, 2008
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.
CS on Mon, June 30, 2008
I’ve got a complaint; the URL isn’t nearly long enough.
Maybe it should be JamesDobsonPatRobertsonAndAWholeBunchOfOtherChristiansAndPastorsDon’tSpeakForMe.com
Whaddya think?
—
CS
Gordon on Mon, June 30, 2008
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
Peter Hamm on Mon, June 30, 2008
Leonard writes [Can you clarify what you mean about those also being moral issues and should have been addressed as those an not political issues? Thanks]
This is just my take, but…
When political issues drive your preaching and ministry, it’s political preaching. When lifestyle “issues” and the Gospel drive your preaching, some things that seem “political” will come up, but politics isn’t driving and controlling you.
For example… Abortion, at its “micro” level, is not a political issue, it is a human nature/sin issue. If we can address the scared hurting human broken individuals who are involved either as providers or receivers of abortion “services”, we can change their lives. If we only rail against legislators and judges, we might not change anybody’s life, either temporarily (so that they might consider Christ more seriously) or, more importantly, for eternity.
leonard on Mon, June 30, 2008
thanks
Pastor Joseph on Mon, June 30, 2008
As far as I am concerned, this so-called pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell is not even a true Christian. You cannot stand for or support someone who is pro-homosexual, and stands for the muderlering & slaughtering of billions of unborn children & say, “Jesus is Lord of my life.” I would not listen to this man in a thousand years, The Lord rebuke him!
Brian L. on Mon, June 30, 2008
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.
Jerry A Maddock on Mon, June 30, 2008
AMEN Pastor Joseph! Nothing else needs to be said.
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