Guest Article
How Dr. Dobson [And YOU] Can Take a Risk for True Greatness
by Dr. Richard A. Jones
(from American Vision)
I knew that a January 15, 2008 Focus on the Family (FOTF) radio program would be challenging as I listened to Dr. James Dobson and Rev. John MacArthur join forces. Their topic was the obvious fact of national moral decay with the culmination of the two-day series being the role played by the public schools in contributing to the decay. The failed schools defy common sense so I listened to see if their stress would be on what parents need to do about what public schools are doing to their children, or whether a sense of perplexed anguish would be the theme. Sadly, it was mainly, “How did they ever get this bad?”
MacArthur and Dobson did their best, but ultimately their joint anxiety had to have confused listening parents more than supplying inspiring guidance. The point FOTF was trying to make began, as it should have, with the diagnosis that ours is a nation beset by sin. MacArthur even went so far as to say that God has already abandoned us. At the end of day two, FOTF set about confirming his conclusion with a school story dramatizing that deteriorating public schools prove how much we really do deserve His abandonment.
I respect and agree with Rev. MacArthur about our society’s moral decline, nevertheless his remarks contained a half-sad, half-amusing inconsistency leading up to the school story I’ll present in a minute. Using Psalm 81:11–16, a great passage, he said we’ve reached a point where only prayers for revival can possibly help the U.S. which made me wonder, which is it to be, abandonment or revival? But even if revival is possible, will God’s response mean an extended season of righteousness and moral sanity, or can we, at best, hope only for a brief reprieve prior to the end-times chaos that MacArthur’s doubtful eschatology predicts? To me, his call for revival sounds more nearly like a dutiful cliché than something truly attainable. After all, he’s already told us that trying to “[reclaim] the culture is a pointless, futile exercise.” I’m convinced, he writes, that “we live in a post-Christian society—a civilization that exists under God’s judgment.” Perhaps he even believes that the sick public schools are proof positive of that judgment. I hope, however, that his pessimistic assessment will be resisted by AV readers. Instead, far-sighted parents must meet the school dilemma head on and put it to rest via the biblical obedience solution you’ll find at the end of this article.
As a climax for the two-day FOTF presentation, a recording was presented obtained during a student assembly at a Boulder, Colorado, high school last April 2007. The purpose in airing it was presumably to give more evidence of abandonment by God. The tape featured a visiting group from the morally sordid “Conference on World Affairs” organization. On tape their several representatives were pushing concepts so repugnant that FOTF asked the home radio audience to remove their little ones before listening. On it, 9th thru 12th graders asked the panel about sex, drugs, and alcohol; questions which were answered with a strong encouragement to “do it.” (“Responsibly,” of course, the COWA added.) Included were plenty of endorsements for homosexual sex as well.
Following the tape, Dr. Dobson’s program-closing response came as a shock given what he already knows about the anti-moral, anti-education, anti-Christian public school agenda of lunacy. His first words were that he “could have wept” at what he’d just heard. “Why do parents permit it?,” he cried. “Who is holding the schools responsible?” What? It’s not as though this kind of school depravity is anything new, having been the norm now for years, countrywide. Even Dobson himself has written lamenting about it. Not only that, he’s clearly suggested that homeschooling is the best education option.
But it’s what Dobson didn’t say that hurts; namely that the real solution to the public school disaster is for Christians to gird up their loins of obedience and simply remove their children from the schools. It’s late, but not too late. One wonders why Dr. Dobson misses this. After all he has Moses (Deut. 6:1–9) and the prophets (Ps. 1; Prov. 1:7, 13:20, 22:6; Is. 54:13; Jer. 10:2) and Luke 6:39–40 as a guide for FOTF parents. These passages explain why God wants the kids removed. Ironically, his FOTF ministry would actually become more blessed, including increased financial blessings, if he would cast fear aside and make a “holy risk” decision to be biblically obedient.
Conversely, Rev. Albert Mohler, president of Southern Seminary and respected national radio talk host has heeded Moses and the prophets. He’s listened, heard and responded and re-responded: “I believe now is the time for responsible Southern Baptists to develop an exit strategy from the public schools. This strategy would affirm the basic and ultimate responsibility of Christian parents to take charge of the education of their own children. The strategy also affirms the responsibility of churches to equip parents, support families, and offer alternatives.” He goes on to say, “I am convinced that Southern Baptists will find their way toward a common understanding of the public school challenge. The only question is when.” These are the words of a good and wise man.
I’m praying for a true, permanent revival that may last hundreds or thousands of years before Christ returns. But, I’m also praying for another good man, Dr. Dobson, to halt FOTF silence regarding the only solution to the offense of the public schools that there is—removal of the children. I’m also praying he’ll use the biblical knowledge he knows to be true to move and inspire parents to the position a patient but demanding God requires of them. And, I pray that many of you will join with him in making this commitment your own.
email: dickjones1517 at sbcglobal dot net
