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Actually, a war of words with James Dobson IS good for somebody -- Barack Obama. A good many Christians, including Evangelicals, consider Dobson an example of what they don't like about their own movement. He was one of the 'old school' guys who openly opposed any Evengelical Environmental activity, because as I recall, it would 'dilute' the single-minded (aka 'The Borg') focus on abortion and homosexuality.
On radio today another Christian commentator said that Obama's positive reception recently among younger and more moderate Evangelicals must have really scared Dobson that someone is rustling HIS flock. Otherwise he'd have waited until closer to the election to attack so nastily.
Will it push him towards McCain, whom he is on record as saying he will never vote for? Maybe this is a way for him to pull that off, justifying his own flip-flop as a fight against...... dare we say it.... the antichrist!? (Wait, Condee trademarked that!)
He is about as radically politicized a Christian ultra-conservative as it is possible to find. He is exactly the kind of guy who gives people like me the willies. Him badmouthing Obama is a boost for Obama for a lot of people.
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oderint dum metuant (Latin for 'let them hate, so long as they fear').
Well, in truth I'm actually not a total hawk, but I'm not a dove either -- I'm more like an angry pigeon flying over the political arena after a really big meal. -Abba Gav
In part due to this speech and Obama's outreach, Obama was invited to speak at pastor Rick Warren's famous megachurch in California. Rick Warren is the author of the best seller "A Purpose Driven Life."
People are surprised to learn Warren is a Southern Baptist. This is what I'm often explaining about the SBC -- it's a very big organization with lots of points of view.
I can't say Warren makes me much more comfortable as an Evangelical than Dobson. Warren's message is much closer to one of secular self-improvement to me, but I know that's not what they teach in his church. I'm happy Obama made some headway there.
Here is an interesting take. This guy argues that Dodson is "old gaurd" among evangelicals and that he basically just handed Obama the election by attacking him:
Frank Schaeffer is the son of Francis Schaeffer, one of the most important conservative theologians of the 20th Century. Frank used to be just like his father -- and Dobson. Now I believe he's Greek Orthodox.
His column obviously reflects my position, but I think he overstates the negative reaction of Dobson's weakened position. Most of the people in the camp he refers to were probably going to vote for Obama, anyway.
So the question for Dobson continues to beg ... as an Evangelical, what is the point of promoting Christian morality if it is not preceded by a Christian faith?
He and many others seem determined to convert at the point of a [metaphorically speaking] sword. In this case the sword is government and passing laws.
He and many others seem determined to convert at the point of a [metaphorically speaking] sword. In this case the sword is government and passing laws.
That's my observation. And that's not authentic Christianity. It's the antithesis to Christianity. There is no redemption without faith. Faith + grace + nothing else = redemption. If you insert anything else into that third component of the equation, you have defiled the message.
That's my observation. And that's not authentic Christianity. It's the antithesis to Christianity. There is no redemption without faith. Faith + grace + nothing else = redemption. If you insert anything else into that third component of the equation, you have defiled the message.
Do works fit somewhere into that equation? "Faith without works..." Just wondering.
Do works fit somewhere into that equation? "Faith without works..." Just wondering.
It's one of the great Protestant/Catholic divides.
Catholic Church contests that works -- perhaps without even an expression of faith -- is tantamount to saving faith.
Protestants are built on a foundation that specific, Biblical expression of faith in Christ is the beginning and end of saving faith. Protestants do not discount works as evidence, but works by themselves have no salvific value: It's not part of the salvation "formula" Paul lays out.
It's one of the great Protestant/Catholic divides.
Catholic Church contests that works -- perhaps without even an expression of faith -- is tantamount to saving faith.
Protestants are built on a foundation that specific, Biblical expression of faith in Christ is the beginning and end of saving faith. Protestants do not discount works as evidence, but works by themselves have no salvific value: It's not part of the salvation "formula" Paul lays out.
Gotcha. Faith without works is dead, and works without faith are also dead.
I guess what I find so odd is that so many fall for it ?
American Christians have a very hard time distinguishing between the fused culture pandered during the 50s and authentic Christianity.
A photographer friend of mine has a picture of a lizard fused to a rock. The rock was literally a part of the lizard's body. He claims the rock came from an island off of France where they conducted nuclear testing. I have no idea if it's true -- I suspect some skileld Photoshopping involved -- but I can't help but think of that picture when I think of the ill-advised marriage of American Christianity to the militaristic blind-and-paranoid patriotism of 50s American thought.
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