Stewards of Influence: Pt. 1

Wow! Last week GW Bush and the Republicans won a pretty clean sweep and now they are faced with the responsibility to govern ALL of those who voted. So, what will it be...a narrowly focused fiscal program and Strict Constructionist appointees? I hope that at the very least our friends who control ALL THREE branches of government will be thoughtful in the way they wield their power.

No where have I seen more clearly the arrogance of power than in an interview between Focus on the Family Founder, James Dobson and George Stephanopoulos this Sunday. In the interview, the self proclaimed leader of the Christian Right scolded GS for asking a hard and important question. The dialogue follows:

George Stephanopoulos:" Dr. Dobson, you also have a problem with the ranking Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, Sen. Patrick Leahy. I want to show something that was reported in the Daily Oklahoman during the campaign.

In the Daily Oklahoman, it quoted you saying, "Patrick Leahy is a God's people hater. I don't know if he hates God, but he hates God's people."

Now, Dr. Dobson, that doesn't sound like a particularly Christian thing to say. Do you think you owe Sen. Leahy an apology?

James Dobson: George, you think you ought to lecture me on what a Christian is all about? You know, I think -- I think I'll stand by the things I have said. Patrick Leahy has been in opposition to most of the things that I believe. He is the one that took the reference to God out of the oath.

Stephanopoulos: But Dr. Dobson, excuse me for a second. You use the word "hate." You said that he's a "God's people hater." How do you back that up?

Dobson: Well, there's been an awful lot of hate expressed in this election. And most of it has been aimed at those who hold to conservative Christian views. He is certainly not the only one to take a position like that. But I think that that is -- that's where he's coming from. He has certainly opposed most of the things that conservative Christians stand for.

Stephanopoulos: So no apology?

Dobson: No apology." With a smart smile and unapologetic defiance on his face.

No apology! Oh my goodness! I'm a fallen, struggling, born again, conservative evangelical, who has spent my life serving the church, ministering to the poorest of the poor, and spreading the gospel through word and deed and ARROGANT James Dobson tears years of testimony down - in front of the entire watching world in two minutes! Ouch!

No wonder the world has such disdain for the conservative church ...if this is who we are I can't really blame them. Has Jim Dobson served the church, built it up and done a ton of good? Yes he has. However, I will not stand by and see arrogance in its rawest form and not speak out in some way.

Does this man have no one in his life to tell him when he is an arrogant foolish person? Actually, I have been told by friends who have worked with Dobson for years that he doesn't "suffer" this type of fool. He truly believes Leahy and Kouric are THE enemy. Goodness! His anger and pridefulness were the enemy in this case. Steph, who is indeed no friend to the church, if he had any predisposition to become one was just SLAPPED away by one of its most recognized statesmen.

This is one example of a poor Steward of Influence. There is plenty of room for repentence for all of us frail and often foolish sinners - leaders included!

First step for Dobson is a personal apology and ask for forgiveness to Steph...that's what I would do to my "strong willed" eight year old. Where did I learn to do that? Jim Dobson of course. It's hard to take our own medicine - I am testimony to this truth. Rant over...

Thoughts