What in the world were you thinking?
on Sep 23, 2009

The new book,"The Year of Living Like Jesus", is on the way to the bookstores. Soon you will be able to buy it. If you are anticipating a typical conservative,evangelical approach to following Jesus and his teaching-be warned. You will likely be dissapointed and maybe angry-in a Christian sort of way. Some will think,"What is the world were you thinking?" Let me attempt to answer that question. (Even though my answer will sound defensive).

First, I wanted to try and follow Jesus and his teaching without the constraints (some would say "boxes") of organized religion. For the first time in my life I don't serve a church or religous institution. So I am free! I tried to set aside all constraints imposed by organized religion. Of course this was nearly impossible.

Second, I began the year with little or no preconceived ideas about where this might lead. Actually I was a little nervous about where it might lead. And the journey took many unexpected twists and turns. I ended up doing things I never anticipated doing.

Third, I wrote this book for those on the fringes of the faith.  People who are interested in Jesus but not "the church." I did not write for those who are in the church. My passion has always been for those who are "unchurched." Years ago we started a non-traditional Saturday night service for those who would never show up on Sunday. It was a stretch for nearly everyone in the church. But we did it! This book is "Saturday Night" reduced to writing. I pray that many who are attracted to Jesus  but not the church will take the next step.

Fourth, I am still an evangelical - though I don't like the term (see the introduction to the book). I still believe what I said when I was ordained many years ago. But I have never been satisfied to remain the same. I have always pushed the boundries. I want to keep growing as a devoted follower of Jesus. I believe that my year of trying to live like Jesus helped me change in significant ways. But I still have a long way to go.

Last, the way of Jesus is hard. It requires constant vigilance. It demands our total commitment. I learned through many failures and mistakes just how hard it is. I don't claim to have all the answers. I don't claim that everthing  I did was right.  My only claim is that  I tried to follow Jesus and his teaching - however imperfectly.

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    Johnny
    written by Johnny, September 23, 2009
    Hello Ed,

    Thanks for sharing. Many of us are concerned about the "boxes" of the Church. I was thinking out loud, just yesterday, that if I wasn't a pastor, I wouldn't go to Church. Of course, I'd never say this to anyone within my denomination. I just get tired of the boxes, the limitations, and riding dead horses.

    In fact, if I could, I'd be doing what Rob is doing with his wonderful ministry at Mars Hill.

    I envy your freedom.

    In His dust,
    Johnny
    can't wait
    written by Adam, September 23, 2009
    Ed,

    truly looking forward to this book. excited to see how you were stretched and how living "Jesusly" can stretch us. especially those of us that are "institutionalized" in religion

    blessingsl
    can't wait
    written by Adam, September 23, 2009
    Ed,

    truly looking forward to this book. excited to see how you were stretched and how living "Jesusly" can stretch us. especially those of us that are "institutionalized" in religion

    blessingsl
    ...
    written by Adam, September 23, 2009
    looking forward to the book!!!!
    "Christian"
    written by Jon Claesson, September 23, 2009
    I was talking a couple weeks ago with some guys about not being called a "Christian" anymore. It seems like "Christian" has become a conservative, right-winged political party these days. What a turn-off to those who are not yet followers of Jesus and His teachings. So what are your thoughts? What do we call ourselves that has credibility and makes sense to those on the fringe? I'm looking forward to the book coming out...
    Right there with you, Brother
    written by Angela, September 24, 2009
    smilies/grin.gif
    Jesus had followers and harsh critics. The harshest critics were from the religious establishment.

    The Pharisees hated Him for He challenged their daily checklist of "do's and don'ts" of which they could accomplish with ease and pat themselves on their backs with pride. He looked only at their heart.

    The Saducees refused to believe in the miracle of resurrection, refused His Joy, and refused His hope. They wanted a pious and long-faced religion.

    The list goes on. Today most believe in a god, some pick and choose between various religions as if there were a smorgasbord and variety was the option.

    Though terminology has killed us, I am a conservative fundamental evangelical, believing in One God, one Bible, inerrant from cover to cover... but somewhere along the way someone took all the joy from John 10:10 away. Someone took the 'Spirit led' away. Pastors and Churches fell miserably. Abuse was rampant in these institutions. I wanted nothing to do with them anymore even though I had signed up for full time ministry 20 years earlier.

    A single Bible study called Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby and after nearly dying a couple of times, I began to review the whole counsel of God. I measured God's Word against God's word alone and did not take what someone else had to say about it as truth. I began to teach like Jesus, to act like Jesus would, and to answer in a manner that He would answer.

    So what was I thinking? I quit thinking the way I had been taught. I began to focus my thoughts on Him, His Word, and His Spirit. I spent less time focusing my attention on pleasing people, and more on pleasing God. I spent more energy on praise and worship of the One who had given His life for me. It is such a life changing prospect. No more pleasing people. Your priorities fall quickly into place. You can freely 'Live Jesusly' with no sweat. Thanks DOC for this revolutionary material.

    BTW just spent the last two months in the hospital for transplant rejection-3 weeks, blood clot-1 week, repeat biopsy, sent my pancreas into pancreatitis-another week. Some sweat, but lots of rewards because every time I go there is daily someone who needs a little bit of hope from someone who has been there done that and has forth with a smile on their face still. We have HOPE ETERNAL!
    Thanks for making us think...
    written by Jane Graham, September 24, 2009
    Ed,
    I've been blessed to have heard you teach numerous times at Mars Hill and always come away with a clear sense that you are a man after God's own heart. Much like David, perhaps, but without the ephod in the streets smilies/smiley.gif Anyway, I'm excited to read about your adventure with Christ and am so impressed with your approach to this. You were fantastic on the Today Show [or GMA?] and your accessibility, I hope, will call those in from the fringes who feel the church isn't a place for them. I hope it will remind them that *Jesus* is a place--a person--for everyone.

    Be Encouraged,
    Jane
    ...
    written by Ted M. Gossard, September 24, 2009
    I look forward to reading your new book, and to seeing others benefit from it.
    Letting Jesus lead
    written by Debi Walker, September 25, 2009
    I have wondered over the years why there are so many restrictions and "rules" that make being a Christian hard for so many people. I am easy, and following rules was easy for me. But that is not the case with everyone, and I think it is why many shy away from Christianity. Living Jesusly (love that new term) is what a testimony is all about. I learned this as a young Christian from my Southern Baptist Church. But the rules were hard to follow! I was new at it, and confused because I was not brought up in a Christian home. I was criticized, scorned, and unhappy because I was confused as to why this was so! Then, as I thought about it and read more of my Bible, I realized it was because Jesus was treated the same way! I was in good company! So, even though it hurt, I live my life, try to do as Jesus would do, stumble, fall, and pick myself up again, and try to keep my eyes on Jesus. There is so much that can be said, and I am sure you did in your book. I am looking forward to buying it. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. You were a great influence on my life while I was in college at Liberty.
    Looking forward to reading the book
    written by Stuart Berman, October 05, 2009
    I enjoyed your appearance at our synagogue (Ahavas Israel) a few months ago and look forward to reading your book (and also reading the A.J. Jacobs book). Also read the piece on you and the book in Saturday's GR Press. It was interesting to read the points about why you voted for Obama (on poverty and peacemaking). It would be a hard think to find someone against poverty or peace, however it is the method that divides people (that money would solve poverty or pacifism would result in peace/shalom). I am convinced that many on either side (of most any issue) consider themselves doing God's will, and it becomes a chance to find the greater (Godly) purpose.

    The Chasidic teach that those on the left focus on God's mercy while those on the right God's justice. At Yom Kippur there is a meditation that shows that either extreme without the other is flawed, too much mercy and there is lawlessness and too much justice and there is no hope.
    Are the Feasts Jewish?
    written by brent emery, October 06, 2009
    Dr. Dobson, I just picked up a copy your book today but have not read it yet. I noticed on the jacket cover that you are wearing tzitzit but not with the "petil techelet" ie thread of blue. If you email me I will send you a set for you to have or wear. The thread of blue is commanded in Numbers (BaMidbar) 15:37-41. I also noticed in one of your blogs that you refer to the Biblical Feasts as "Jewish". I would ask you to look at Leviticus 23 and notice that the Hebrew letter "lamed of possession" is attached to these feasts so that they are the "feasts belonging to the Lord" and thus not Jewish. The Biblical Feasts of the Lord are the timetable to the our Lords First Coming and Second Coming so I would say they are very relevant to "Christians". Would love to send you the techelet and dialogue with you. shalom u'vrecha, brent emery
    The Knowing Jesus Study Bible
    written by Suzanne Enzfelder, October 08, 2009
    I am wondering if you are the same Edward Dobson, Ed.D. who edited The Knowing Jesus Study Bible along with Edward Hindson, D.Phil.?
    This is my main Bible that I read from, study from, have written notes in every available space, and carry with me....and have for several years...
    You are close
    written by Daniel, October 20, 2009
    I hope you realize it is not a year of living like Yahshua, it is a lifetime. He never came to do away with the religion his Father started.

    "Nailed the law to the Cross" The Greek word is DOGMA, which means man made religion........

    he came to do away with the Rabbinical traditions that added or subtracted from the Torah. (And the silly gentile traditions as well)
    I have read your book Ed - You have touched my heart!!
    written by Wendy , October 22, 2009
    Ed,
    I picked up a copy of your new book last Friday evening and couldn't put it down. I had the book read by following Monday afternoon. I am sure that isn't any record, but for me it was! I have heard you many times at Calvary and read Prayers and Promises. I realized after reading your new book that to live as Jesus lived is difficult even for a man of God who loves the Lord as much as you do. You opened my eyes and my heart even more by your candidness and honesty. I loved the humor you sprinkled among the pages, and could feel your pain in how your disease has even impacted your ability to hold your new granddaughter. Thank you Ed for sharing your experience and your honest reflection on your life.

    May Gods Mercy always surround you ,
    Wendy
    I couldn't agree more with Daniel
    written by brent emery, October 23, 2009
    Daniel, your post is spot on. It's a lifetime we commit to Him and not a year (although I am glad Dr. D did at least a year). The written Torah is the foundation of our faith and our Messiah Yeshua is/was/will be Jewish. shabbat shalom
    ...
    written by Jon VanderPlas, November 16, 2009
    Ed,
    I saw your book at Barnes & Noble yesterday. Interested, I picked it up and began to read your introduction. Your first few paragraphs convinced me not to buy the book. I read that you prefer not to be associated with the terms "Christian," "evangelical," or "Baptist," basically, as I understood it, because you were afraid someone might think you were a Republican. Then you proceed to trash those who embrace those labels as people who "think they are always right" and people who are known for what they oppose instead of what they support.

    I suppose you mean opposing abortion and gay marriage? Couldn't it be said that people supporting these positions are in favor of protecting the lives of innocent babies or in favor of God's vision for marriage and the Judeo-Christian values on which this country was founded?

    If you are trying to argue that no political party has a monopoly on Christian values, I agree, despite the fact that only one political party has much room for pro-lifers. However, you suggest that pro-lifers and people who value freedom and capitalism are people who you ought to distance yourself from. I believe you are playing politics just as much as the religious right. Instead of moving away from the politicization of our faith, you are merely politicizing it in a different way.
    Respectfully,
    Jon VanderPlas
    Made over in His Image
    written by Hope, December 10, 2009
    Hello, Ed.
    I really loved the book, and applaud you for all the hard work you put in. I was disappointed that something critical was missing from your conclusions, however. You talk about how nearly impossible it is to live like Jesus, and that should be the point. If we could live like Jesus, he wouldn't have needed to die on the cross for our salvation. He was the perfect Son of the living God, without sin. He wants us to be like Him, but in order to achieve that, we can't act. We must surrender. We must admit that we can't act like Him or be like Him unless He changes us. And the only way He can change us is to allow Him to work on us FROM THE INSIDE OUT. He must change our heart, our thinking, our attitudes. Of course, trying to act like Him helps, but it's really a process that has to occur over time. I have watched him change me, one issue at a time, and I know that it is a process that will take a lifetime, until, after I die, whatever is left over to be done will occur "in the twinkling of an eye". Then we will be qualified to rule with Him as "joint heirs" of the Kingdom. Then we will be as we should have been, as human beings were before the fall, when God walked with man and man with God.
    May you continue to grow into the image of Christ!
    Hope
    Finding God outside of man's trappings
    written by Todd S. Jenkins, January 04, 2010
    Dr. Dobson, thank you so much for sharing your journey with the rest of the world. This is precisely the kind of book I have been looking for since I left my church of seven years. I grew disgusted with all of the pretension, politicization and manipulation of men using the name of Jesus for their own gain. I got tired of being told I had to vote for adulterers because they didn't support abortion. I got tired of being told I didn't belong in church because I had never spoken in tongues, even though the Bible is absolutely clear that not everyone receives that gift. I got tired of being told that asking questions was a sign of weak faith, when your experience has shown that it represents a greater desire for true faith. I am now at a point in life where I love God and His people more than ever, while absolutely hating the church as it exists today. The church, as warped and manipulated by men, is the primary reason that Christianity has failed so badly in the 21st century and will continue to do so. God and His will are all that matters; everything else is man-made folly.

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