James Dobson’s in my Family
I don’t like much of what James Dobson has to say. I often dislike very much the way that he says it. When I hear him on the radio I cringe because I can imagine how many of my non-Christian friends would respond to what often seems like a self-righteous and overly assuming perspective. And – he’s part of my family.
As much as I don’t like to associate with folks like Dobson, the truth is that I became a part of his family when I became a Christian. Even if I disagree with some or much of his theology, he professes faith in Jesus and as such is a member of Jesus’ church. And it is that very church that I joined when I decided to follow Jesus.
The truth is – we cannot live as Christians, be adopted as God’s children, and somehow pretend like we are something separate from the rest of his church. Nor can we rightly and faithfully distance ourselves from others who read the same book, confess the same faith, eat the same communion and serve the same God. Frankly, any attempt to define our Christianity as “not that kind of Christianity” smacks of a certain pride. That’s not to say that we are to accept everything that Dobson (or anyone else has to say), but to assume that their failings in the Christian life somehow disqualify them from membership in “our church” is rather presumptuous. Do we honestly believe that our own theology is without imperfection? Is it not reasonable to assume that some or much of what I hold central is tainted by my own finite and biased reading of God’s word? Do I really have so little grace for my brother that I am willing to label him as “other” rather than boldly call him my own?
Yes, it is difficult to present myself as “Evangelical” when I know that such words hold negative connotations for so many people. And yes, I would prefer that high profile people like Dobson would rethink some of their beliefs and practices. But the truth of the matter is that the thing connecting Dobson and I, the gospel, must be (and is) big enough to handle both his and my failings. The gospel that I profess is big enough to welcome in us both, despite the ways in which we fail to properly apply it. The gospel that we profess offers enough grace that we can claim one another as family without also affirming doctrines or practices that we believe to be in error. And the gospel that we profess is powerful enough that it ought to shine through despite the fact that our own sinfulness has smudged its surface.
The truth is – I am “that kind of Christian.” Because there really is only one kind: those whose own failed attempts to follow Jesus are ultimately redeemed by the grace of the cross. So I will openly offer criticism of Dobson and I will willingly acknowledge to my non-believing friends that Dobson has far to go. But I must do so only as I also recognize my own failings to fulfill the calling of the Christian faith. Because ultimately it is the grace of Christ, not the perfections of our own behavior, that brings both he and I into the family of God.
Tags: Dobson, evangelical
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December 8, 2008 at 10:40 pm
Thanks for your post, Denise. I think I’m torn. On the one hand, I refuse to take the seat of judge; I won’t say, as some people said during this (admittedly heated) election season, if you vote one way or another, you obviously aren’t a Christian. I’d rather be too inclusive and let God do the weeding than be too exclusive and not allow someone to know the welcome of God.
On the other hand, there are verses that say, “By their fruit, you shall know them,” and passages where even those who cry “Lord, Lord,” will be denied by Christ because they did not do anything “for the least of these.”
So if we had to choose between one or the other, I’d err on the side of the former. But I think we’re supposed to walk the delicate and difficult balance between the inclusive embrace and the exclusive claims and demands of Christ.
December 9, 2008 at 2:05 pm
I have to say that is post is a welcomed challenge to myself. However, I agree with Justin. There is something fishy about the Dobson camp. Furthermore, I think that we have a responsibly to engage in dialogue with our other family members in order to clarify and correct wrong statements and viewpoints. When my drunk pervert uncle starts telling dirty jokes at the dinner table (not that I have one) it is my responsibly as a member in the family to stop him. When my brother in Christ is trying to use his ministry position as a political platform to push forth his agenda onto other, likewise I think that needs to be confronted. It not that he is out of the family, its just that the family is a mess. Yeah, for the Holidays!
Disclaimer: I love all of my family, they are amazing, though my family at times can be really rough.