Earning A Spot As A "World-Changer"

As a Indiana Wesleyan University alum, I am well-versed in the matter of "world-changing." I know the basics of being a "roaring lamb" and staking my claim for Jesus in the world today. I know, and I agree with the viewpoints, although I struggle with the actual act of making this claim a reality. Along with the lessons on world-changing, students at IWU are also introduced to major proponents of world-changing. Their busts are put up in the Library foyer in the style of most pro football Hall of Fame museums, where students can walk by and marvel at the brilliant lives and careers of those worthy to accept the title "World-Changer" by Indiana Wesleyan University.

One such person is Dr. James Dobson, head of Focus on the Family and outspoken voice for the Conservative Christian Movement. Dr. Dobson was inducted while I was currently a student at IWU. I did not, however, attend the ceremony. But it strikes me as odd that someone like Dr. Dobson would receive such a noble title from a university such as IWU. Not that I don't think Dr. Dobson has changed the world, he certainly has impacted it; but I wonder about the responsibility that comes with carrying such a title, and others like it at similar universities, i'll bet.

Dr. Dobson, never shy about his stances on politics, has been outspoken in this year's current election. As I read his most recent comments, I am struck by the lack of continuity between his reasons for supporting Huckabee, and reasons for not supporting McCain. Not only that, but he has been quoted as saying that this year's election included "the worst choices for president" in his lifetime, and that he will not vote; a statement he later retracted due to the hypocracy involved with voicing such strong opinions, yet choosing to opt out of the way to impact our nation and elect the next president. Even so, his reasons seem to confuse me and leave me wondering what exactly he is looking for in a president, other than being a Conservative Republican.

One example of this is in his blastings of McCain for his stances on shutting down Gitmo, reasons stemming from his view on the atrocities that have occured there and the fact that something needs to happen, while Huckabee was quoted often as saying Gitmo was "amazingly hospitable" and "offers better conditions to detainees than most U.S. Prisons." While Huckabee has been blasted for this, it exposed Huckabee's stance that prisoners are able to be treated however we as Americans feel like treating them, and that maybe they even deserve it. Certainly not the Gospel message, in my opinion. But Dobson backed him, primarily due to the fact that he was the "Conservative nominee."

Dobson has a right to his opinions, absolutely. But he also has a RESPONSIBILITY to the many people that read, listen to, and agree with his thoughts and opinions. Each statement on political ideals and party nomination brings along certain underlining truths, some that may or may not actually be present in the mind of the person making the statement. Conservative Christians need a voice that challenges ideals that go against the heart of the Gospel, not those that dissent from the party line. Dobson has a duty and responsibility to model Christ, not upper-class arrogance and American idealism.

Maybe it's because I like to be controversial, or maybe its because I really care, but I struggle with ultimate allegiance to a party, regardless of the thoughts and ideals that are carried out in that party. What is so terrible about Obama's push for racial equality and restoration of America in the eyes of the world? What is so heinous about Clinton's push for universal healthcare and America's removal from the Middle East? And how does McCain's stance on same sex "unions" (not marriages) make him a vile enemy of Christianity?

Only Dobson can answer these questions. And believe me, people are listening. If being a world-changer means making blanket statements with little or no connection to the dignity and respect owed to all of God's creation and the value of thier opinions, then I never want the dignity of being placed in the coveted "Hall of World-Changers." I just want to change the world, popularity optional.