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Rest in Peace, Dr. Dobson

 As time moves on, people whom we admired, followed, or struggled with pass away. Recently John McArthur died; this week Dr. James Dobson did. 

The only way to really eulogize Dr. Dobson, I think, is to see him in context and to be graciously understanding of his support of Donald Trump. It is easy to criticize James Dobson for some of his positions and decisions. Sometimes fame is a burden and influence can be something of a curse. 

My Christian experience has heard the music of James Dobson in the background. I listened to his radio program almost daily in the '80s and '90s. We were all taught that Dare to Discipline was a seminal text. Keep in mind that this was the age of Dr. Spock, who supposedly denied discipline of children was needed, and the hippies of the '60s were blamed on him and his progressive views. Today, I don't know how truthful a depiction that is. Dr. Dobson did not advocate spanking so much as discuss its efficacy in some cases. The idea that he wanted to whip children regularly is unfair. I have seen the cartoon of Dr. Dobson with a whip and Jesus protected two children, and it is injudicious. 

However, one thing we can say is that everyone who strongly advocated positions and who goes to God's heaven because of God's grace, also gets to learn where they go it wrong. 

I think Dr. Dobson got it wrong in taking his fame to mean he was right, and therefore he should throw his influence behind political leaders. He supported Republicans, of course, and he was one of the in-crowd of evangelicals for Donald Trump. He should have shown more discernment. His sin, if you will, may have been that, having enjoyed influence with Reagan and the Bushes, he felt entitled to continue enjoying it. 

I understand that. It's hard to realize that perhaps your former position of persuasion or leadership does not exist any longer, or perhaps should be denied to yourself, or should go to the next person. I have opinions I would like to share about my former place of employment, where I gave 21 years of hard work. I could make an appointment with the college's president and give him a piece of my mind. I'll wait until he asks for it. 

Anyway, Dr. Dobson did serve the church and his country, and he did help millions of parents and married couples, and it is only because of polarization and deconstruction and social media and the rise of gentle parenting and hover-parents that he has been attacked since his death--as if that is the only time someone can be dragged through the mud. I deeply appreciate his ministry and believe he will have a more restful eternity than what he has had so far. 

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