We have tweaked our friend the Rev. James Dobson pretty regularly in the past, particular for his involvement in politics. And when Dr. Dobson called for the resignation of the Rev. Richard Cizik, president for the National Association of Evangelicals, because he believed that Cizik was spending too much time worrying about global warming and not enough time spent on “core” Religious Right issues, such as abortion and same-sex marriages, we gigged him pretty hard then, too.
However, we received this e-mail this morning from Dobson’s Focus on the Family ministry and we think it is a remarkable document. It is probably the most honest, most revealing statement ever made by the normally carefully controlled Dobson.
So, in the spirit of Christian reconciliation, we’re making available Dr. Dobson’s complete statement, without editorial comment. (If you would like to send Dr. Dobson an e-mail of support for his courageous reassessment, we’ve kept his contact information at the end of his statement.)
Perhaps he should rename it FICUS on the Family
– Robert Darden,
Senior Editor, The Wittenburg Door
---------------------------------------------------------
Colorado Springs, CO
Dear friends and supporters:
Since my ill-advised attack on my dear friend Dick Cizik a few days ago, I have had an extraordinary week of reflection and spiritual enlightenment.
Through the counsel of godly men, such as the Rev. Dr. Jack Hayford, the Rev. Rick Warren, Richard Stearns (President, World Vision), David Neff (Editor, Christianity Today) and other members of The Evangelical Climate Initiative (www.Christiansandclimate.org), I’ve come to see that my assessment of Dick’s motives and, in fact, “global warming,” have been in error as well.
I have been guilty of a particularly pernicious form of short-sighted Dispensationalism, believing that since the earth has no future with the blessed Second Coming nigh, we, as Christians, have no responsibility to care for Creation.
Through loving testimony, instruction and careful study of the Bible with these and other mentors, I no longer believe that Dick is – as I said earlier, much to my regret -- guilty of a “relentless campaign” to save the planet at the expense of what I called more “serious” issues, such as same-sex marriage. I see now that I have strictly exploited those issues and others like them to manipulate my audience and as a calculated and callous form of fund-raising.
As part of my penance for my unmerited attacks on a courageous, godly man, I have initiated contact with both the Rev. Jerry Falwell and Don Wildmon, with the earnest desire to convince them of the error of their ways as well. While both continue to condemn what they call “earthism worship,” I will continue to pray that this revelation will be made available to them as well.
As for the rest of my penance, I will devote the rest of my career – however long the Lord sees fit to continue in this capacity – to working with my Christian brothers and sisters to insure that all life on the planet, God’s first and greatest gift to us, is protected and cherished.
God bless you all,
Jim Dobson
Focus on the Family
8605 Explorer Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80995
1-800-232-6459
www.family.org
Technorati Tags: James Dobson,
Christian humor, satire, humor
12 comments:
things like this i'm never sure if i can take them seriously or not. is there a link to the statement anywhere?
You had me right up to "penance" and then I looked at the date.
You rascally rabbits.
you had me going too- especially from the e-mail this morning. I almost posted a copy on my blog, waxing eloquent on the importance of Christ Transforming Culture for environmentalism.... blah blah blah.
If only, If only!!! But such a mea culpa is likely beyond his abilities.
From watching recent "interviews" with his royal highness, I'd like to suggest that we're really in a good position to institute Iran-style theocracy. Jim, Jerry, and Pat could serve on the Supreme Council and maybe even rotate supreme leadership. They could make the real decisions, and then the "President" could utter odd sayings!
Thanks for this timely (April 1) posting.
You almost got me!!!
You had me until he started talking about Dispensationalism and the "nigh" of the Second Coming negating the need for care of the earth. He's Jim Dobson, not Jack VanImpe - study your targets a little better ;)
I was taken. I shared this. I thought the tone was serious and the subject monumental. I am embarrassed and upset as I reported this as glorious fact, not a joke and not a joke-worthy subject in my opinion.
I now have a lot of explaining to do without any confirmation of this even being satire. Someone straighten it out for real. If it is a joke, it sucks, in my opinion.
That was a dirty trick. I'll never believe anything you say again. Wait... I already don't. Never mind.
You did get me as I posted it on my blog along with some commentary. Shame on you, I should have known, now I have to rewrite my intro.
Oh yea, another problem that made it real, for those of us on the mailing list we got it on Saturday, prior to April 1
While the date of the blog entry was April 1, the date of the email I recieved was March 21, 2007. I like what Trinity Foundation is doing with the Wittenburg Door. Idiots literally believe that PhD psychologist James Dobson is an ordained minister because he preaches from pulpits of churches.
Crap. I am in the completely taken crowd. I emailed Focus on the Family vocalizing support for Dobson's humble repentence. I told them how remarkably honest Jim was with himeself. I do think that is kind of funny. What I do not find funny is the truth. That's just disappointing. You guys are jerks. I think this was a mean thing to do to anyone actually hoping for Dobson's pentinence.
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