Focus on the Family founder James Dobson was pushed off the Focus radio show by the organization’s board of directors. The board told Dobson that his last “Focus on the Family” radio broadcast would air Feb. 26. Dobson was disappointed. He didn’t want to leave his radio show. That’s when he decided to start “Family Talk with James Dobson,” set to air on radio stations May 3.
Or so goes the account by Rev. Ken Hutcherson, a high-profile conservative evangelical who
Rev. Hutcherson
On Tuesday, Hutcherson’s editorial called “I Lost My Focus on the Family” was published online at World Net Daily. In it Hutcherson says he knows that Dobson was pushed out of Focus, claiming to have talked to Dobson and Focus president and CEO Jim Daly about it.
Focus on Wednesday denied Hutcherson’s assertions, but Hutcherson didn’t back down.
“I am not speculating. I know what the truth is,” Hutcherson said in an interview today with World Net Daily.
Hutcherson told WND that the board thought Dobson was “going to go, be quiet, sit in the corner and not do anything after they made that decision” to end his hosting the Focus radio show.
Since 2003, Dobson has been gradually eased out of day-to-day operations at Focus, a plan he put in place to faciliate executive succession at the family group, Focus says.
In the editorial, Hutcherson expresses his disapproval of Focus’ new kinder, gentler approach on hot-button issues like abortion and gay marriage.
“There is a tendency after many years of success for new blood and new minds to come in with a new plan,” Hutcherson wrote. ”(I’ve always thought: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!) Just because something sounds new and elegant does not guarantee it will be better.”
Hutcherson thinks Focus is in trouble financially without Dobson, and believes someone like himself should have been chosen as Dobson’s successor rather than the mild-mannered Daly.
Focus needs “a very aggressive person to take it from Dr. Dobson to another level,” Hutcherson told WND. “Someone as crazy as I am. And they didn’t do that, because they want a new image.”
You can read Hutcherson’s WND editorial here.
What do you think of Hutcherson’s assertions? Is it possible Dobson was forced out? Please weigh in below.
LOL. Cool.
This line says it all “Hutcherson thinks Focus is in trouble financially without Dobson, and believes someone like himself should have been chosen as Dobson’s successor rather than the mild-mannered Daly.
Focus needs “a very aggressive person to take it from Dr. Dobson to another level,” Hutcherson told WND. “Someone as crazy as I am. And they didn’t do that, because they want a new image.”
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His own ego is fueling these comments…and the fact that he was not King James’ successor. And his comment about “they want a new image” is nonsensical because if they did want a new image, he would have been a good choice, right: Brother from another Pulpit.
When someone says “They know the truth” , that usually means they heard one side of the story and came to that conclusion. Hear both sides Ken before going public – really immature of him to make such a harsh public comment. It does no good!
I believe Rev. Ken Hutcherson is correct.
This is why FOTF has been struggling over the past year.
FOTF has been struggling because people are tired of the same old rhetoric from their palace on that hill.
Regardless of your religion, you’re allowed to believe what you want. However, it certainly appears that the American public is getting a bit tired of religious “leaders” telling them what to believe. Instead the American public seems to be taking the sensible approach…it’s what people contribute to society that matters, not who they sleep with. Does it really matter if the computer support technician on the other end of the phone, or the trash collector, or the solider is gay, as long as they do their job? It doesn’t, and FOTF (under Dobson, and even now) just doesn’t want to accept that.
Rational Person – FOTF Started struggling after Dobson step down. He has not being in charge for FOTF for years.
“To be perfectly honest, what Focus should have done is give someone like me the leadership over the ministry. Someone with guts is needed to lead Focus into the next generation, someone who has the intestinal fortitude not to care what the world thinks but only wants to infuse the culture with God’s righteousness. However, I have a ministry, so I would have turned it down. Call me what you want – a guy with a big ego. I have no ego, just allegiance to God. When He calls me I will do what He wants, right or wrong. “Rev. Ken Hutcherson
Pastor Roy, thanks for the attempt at the straw man argument.
If he was so wonderful, why was he (supposedly) “forced out”?
Regardless of the sequence of events, I’ll stand by my assertions that people are getting tired of being preached to by those who hold themselves as morally superior, especially when it turns out they not either moral or superior.
Rational Person it was not meant to be a straw man argument. Dobson gave up leadership of FOTF years ago. It seems that over the past year or two they start to struggle. The reason I believe as Dobson step down the new leadership started take control. An the people who gave to FOTF became concern.
Pastor Roy is right. The Bible tells us that many will fall away from the truths about Christ and Christian beliefs, and this is certainly happening. Focus will falter badly without Dobson, and they will need to bring in someone with a real backbone to deal with the tougher issues of immoral sin attacking the American family right now. Dobson’s show will be a large success!
I know the other side and it isn’t this….sad for those who think the Dr. Dobson was right on all things. He lost his compass long ago and become something that has nothing to do with the Bible or Christ, if you disagree, so be it, but I know for a fact that Dobson brought alot of this upon himself…sad, but true.
FOTF will not falter, in fact they will flourish with a new voice that is more of the voice of Christ.
Who cares. He’s gone.
Dobson first became well-known with the publication of Dare to Discipline, which encouraged parents to use corporal punishment in disciplining their children….In addition, Dobson beats little dogs with belts. Why would ANYONE listen to this sick, sick man?
The following is an excerpt from “Christian” rightwinger Dobson’s book entitled “The Strong Willed Child”. He explains how his beating of his dachshund Siggie with a belt provides lessons on how to raise children. This is the first person Karl Rove went to when he needed to justify the Miers nomination.
Quote:
“Siggie is a member of our family and we love him dearly…we had some classic battles before he reluctantly yielded to my authority… I told Siggie to go get into his bed, which is a permanent enclosure in the family room. For six years I had given him that order at the end of each day, and for six years Siggie had obeyed.
“On this occasion, however, he refused to budge. You see, he was in the bathroom, seated comfortably on the furry lid of the toilet seat. That is his favorite spot in the house, because it allows him to bask in the warmth of a nearby electric heater…”
“When I told Sigmund to leave his warm seat and go to bed, he flattened his ears and slowly turned his head toward me. He deliberately braced himself by placing one paw on the edge of the furry lid, then hunched his shoulders, raised his lips to reveal the molars on both sides, and uttered his most threatening growl. That was Siggie’s way of saying. “Get lost!”
“I had seen this defiant mood before, and knew there was only one way to deal with it. The ONLY way to make Siggie obey is to threaten him with destruction. Nothing else works. I turned and went to my closet and got a small belt to help me “reason” with Mr. Freud.”
What developed next is impossible to describe. That tiny dog and I had the most vicious fight ever staged between man and beast. I fought him up one wall and down the other, with both of us scratching and clawing and growling and swinging the belt. I am embarrassed by the memory of the entire scene. Inch by inch I moved him toward the family room and his bed. As a final desperate maneuver, Siggie backed into the corner for one last snarling stand. I eventually got him to bed, only because I outweighed him 200 to 12!”
Susan, glad you read Dr. Dobson’s book, it was great! But I see no problem with this story of defiance. It is a classic scene that portrays mankind’s stubbornness, which identifies perfectly with a disobedient child. What an excellent story, and from what I see, the dog not only came out fine, he actually learned he was not going to get his way. Discipline is something sadly lacking in our children today. We need parents that do not give in to these kinds of stubbornness from their children. Unfortunately, many are choosing not to “take out the belt” when it is called for, and allow their children to be the parent instead.
Yes, they need someone crazy as him to follow “The big Crazy Dobson”.
But that will be hard. James Dobson was INSANE!!!
I really like the stories about Dobson being beaten up by a gay kid, participating in dog-fighting, and showering with boys.
Tells you a lot about his personality.
PS – now that you are retired, Mr. Dobson, stay away from my kids.
You know what Ken, I lost MY Focus on the Family somewhere in the 90s when Washington became the passion rather than practical family & faith teaching. That was the foundation of Focus & that’s where they built their base. You say “To be perfectly honest, what Focus should have done is give someone like me the leadership over the ministry. Someone with guts is needed to lead Focus into the next generation, someone who has the intestinal fortitude not to care what the world thinks but only wants to infuse the culture with God’s righteousness. ” You recognize that people would say you have a big ego because of that statement. You are correct. Then you say “I have no ego.” Anyone who says they have no ego has far too big an ego. You’re saying what they need is me, and they didn’t ask. Aw. I can’t find the article at the moment but DR D himself admitted a couple of years ago that he had failed: that even with all his efforts on social issues there was more divorce (especially in the church (& within Focus it might be added,))more out-of-wedlock pregnancy, more open homosexuality,etc. All the things he’s fought against are in fact increasing. You know why? Because nothing redeems culture. Only Jesus can redeem people. And when the “focus” becomes getting behind the spread of the Gospel and the individual members of the culture are redeemed, then the effect is a culture that reflects that new life. Jesus didn’t say to go into all the world and “infuse the culture with God’s righteousness. ” He said to go into all the world and make disciples. If you don’t get that, I’d say you’re more of a”social reformer” than a pastor.
Trying to work it from the wrong end will always fail.
This idea that Jesus taught acceptance and tolerance is a false idea. He never spoke on acceptance of the worlds behavior or never spoke on this idea of tolerance as the world thinks.
John 5:1-15 (New King James Version)
John 5
A Man Healed at the Pool of Bethesda
1 After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches. 3 In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. 4 For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had. 5 Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?”7 The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” 8 Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” 9 And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked. And that day was the Sabbath. 10 The Jews therefore said to him who was cured, “It is the Sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your bed.” 11 He answered them, “He who made me well said to me, ‘Take up your bed and walk.’” 12 Then they asked him, “Who is the Man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?” 13 But the one who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, a multitude being in that place. 14 Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, “See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.” 15 The man departed and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well.
The key passage to look at is Versus 14. See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.” – Now does that sound like acceptance and tolerance?
Lets looks at another passage
John 8:1-11 (New King James Version)
John 8
1 But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.2 Now early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them. 3 Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, 4 they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caugh in adultery, in the very act. 5 Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?” 6 This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear.[ 7 So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” 8 And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9 Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. 10 When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” 11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”
The key passage to look at is Versus 11. “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” – Now does that sound like acceptance and tolerance?
Lets look at one more passage
John 8:12 (New King James Version)
12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
Ok, Now does that sound like acceptance and tolerance?
I can add more passages to show that Jesus reached out to people, but He did not teach or present the idea of acceptance and tolerance as it is view today. Instead Jesus teaching and ideas were view unacceptance and tolerance. By telling people to “sin no more” and that He is the light.
I preached this past Sunday on the idea of light and darkness. If any one wants a copy of my notes, please drop me line at profile an I will do my to get you a copy of my notes.
This Rev. Ken Hutcherson is certainly full of himself thinking he has the credibility to take the place of such a man as Dr. James Dobson. Somebody or something needs to knock him off his horse. The fact that he is even talking about this publicly is self-serving. No, Rev. Hutcherson, you are not the chosen to fill Dobson’s shoes. Go learn a little humility from the Lord before you put yourself in the spotlight again.
I wouldnt know if the assertion is true however if it is ,and the organization is hoping to move toward a more moderate conservative perception I believe it would be a move away from the initial calling of the organization, and the Lords will in establishing it. Jesus said to beware if men speak well of you which would imply that staying true to the Lord and His call to purpose means being perceived as controversial. Moving away from the stigma of the views that made the organization great would thus be to err in the eyes of our Lord by whos hand Focus was established .. Lets hope that His will prevails and that the resent administration of Focus remain true to the same.
I believe my Dad the late Lee Eaton an original member of the board of directors at Focus on the Family who passed in December 09 would heartily agree and stand to this end if he were present..