Dobson endorses McCain: sliding down a slippery slope toward Pat Robertson?
A Dennis Prager interview with Dr. James Dobson-- turned into a TownHall.com essay-- brings us the news that Dobson has reversed his decision/commitment and will now endorse McCain.
Not only does Dobson have a political worldview that is inconsistent with Scripture. He has often said awkward things within the political realm (for reasons related [or not] to his deficient worldview).
Now, with his very public reversal on McCain, he seems to be drifting into sad and more dangerous territory-- the sort occupied most notably by Pat Robertson's pronouncements about prophecy, natural disasters and foreign affairs.
I pray that Dobson will soberly reflect on his public/political face-- so that it does not damage God's Kingdom or violate the 3rd Commandment...
posted by Eric Schansberg @ 11:17 AM
5 Comments
5 Comments:
Andrew Sullivan this morning points to a Harper's Magazine blog posting by Ken Silverstein and Sebastion Jones. They provide an explanation for Dobson's change of heart about McCain: "Christian conservatives like Gary Bauer, Tony Perkins, and James Dobson have hailed McCain’s selection of Palin. … Given the viewpoints expressed by Palin’s pastors, it’s easy to understand why Christian conservatives are so excited." Silverstein and Jones give quotes from sermons by pastor of the church she currently attends (Juneau Christian Center), including: "Do you believe we’re in the last days? After listening to Newt Gingrich and the prime minister of Israel and a number of others at our gathering, I became convinced, and I have been convinced for some time. We are living in the last days. These are incredible times to live in."
Thanks for the updates!
I don't think this lets Dobson off the hook at all. If that explanation is correct, at best, it shows a lack of patience and imagination-- that McCain might appoint someone who would please him sufficiently.
The quotes from the pastor are interesting but common in Christian Church circles-- and I'm not sure why there a reason for concern.
First, it's interesting to note that the Bible clearly says we are living in "the last days"-- in a sense which is not understood, even by many Christians. Such apocalpytic language is used to describe the set of years following the ministry of Jesus & the coming of the Holy Spirit. Without understanding apocalyptic literature, one can draw all sorts of improper/questionable inferences.
Second, of course, typically, people understand "the last days" to be apocalyptic in outcome and applicable to a much smaller, eminently-debatable segment of time. This comes from a "pre-millennial" eschatology. In my mind, this is the weakest eschatology for a variety of reasons (a much longer discussion). But in and of itself, it is no cause for alarm.
Of course, you're right about standard Christian eschatology—but if the Democrats succeed in identifying Gov. Palin with something like Tim LaHaye-style premillennialism (as that quote from her pastor suggests), this would be a problem for McCain.
On the Dobson issue. I wrote him when he initially said he "might" support McCain. (after of course he said he could never support McCain).
I told him he did not have to endorse anyone if neither major candidate was acceptable or any other for that matter. The main reason is that we as Christians must never choose the lesser of two evils ever! We are to run away from all evil always. God is on the throne and is watching our every move and we will have to answer for voting for the likes of McCain who may not yet support gay marriage but who OPENLY supports same sex unions. He is an abomination to my God! If we can not vote for good we should either not vote or write in a person who takes Gods word seriously
On the Dobson issue. I wrote him when he initially said he "might" support McCain. (after of course he said he could never support McCain).
I told him he did not have to endorse anyone if neither major candidate was acceptable or any other for that matter. The main reason is that we as Christians must never choose the lesser of two evils ever! We are to run away from all evil always. God is on the throne and is watching our every move and we will have to answer for voting for the likes of McCain who may not yet support gay marriage but who OPENLY supports same sex unions. He is an abomination to my God! If we can not vote for good we should either not vote or write in a person who takes Gods word seriously!
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