Just the other day, I happened to hear a few minutes of this guy named James Dobson.
He said: I am no theologian...
Has he ever been more truthful? He preceded to talk about the Lord speaking to people, etc.
For a guy who repeatedly says he isn't a theologian, he continues to make theological statements as though he has a clue.
Could Dobson have said truer words?
Discussion in '2004 Archive' started by Daniel David, Jul 31, 2004.
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Considering the service that Dobson and Focus on the Family have given the cause of Christ for the past 30 years, and considering the massive impact of Dobson and the organization he founded on the social issues debate in the US...well, fill in the rest.
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I think Dr. Dobson is a very humble man who gives credit of all his wisdom to the Lord. I suggest though that all who hear his words concerning family listen very carefully as he is indeed a master of relationship restoration and rearing of children. More "families" have become families through his teachings and seminars than any other (save Christ).
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I think Dobson is no theologian. As such, many of his opinions about some matters are misguided. He is an integrationist in counseling which renders his method and conclusions suspect, or less than fully effective. He has done some good things ... It is too bad he bought into some bad ideas.
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Dobson's contribution to the cause of Christ has been ecumenicalism and psychobabble. Nice legacy.
Further, his personal theology is way off base. But, that doesn't matter because he stands for "christian" ideals. Yeah right it doesn't matter. I can't believe people actually listen to him. -
Could someone please give some specifics? I don't mean chapter and verse proof, just what specifically is Dobson in error about so I can be aware.
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There is a whole cult of "anti-Dobson" folks out there. We had a series of books in our college library to point out the errors of every one.
http://www.psychoheresy-aware.org/dobsonbk.html
Sad bunch of the most negative writing I've ever seen. While not a strong defender of Dobson and Focus, I recognize the good they have done.
Eat the chicken, spit out the bones. -
Dr. Bob,
Thank you for your link. -
Facts include his embracing of intergrationist models of counseling, very tenuous position on the nature of man as a sinner, embracing unbelievers and disobedient Christians through his alliances, etc.
That is not to say that Dobson hasn't done some good. He has ... but he is no theologian and that must be recognized. We can certainly do better in terms of theology and practical theology about helping people. -
May I correctly assume from this that you prefer the Jay Adams approach to the Clyde Narramore approach? -
Integrationist ... and Yes, Jay Adams model of counseling is the far better approach to counseling. There is a group called CCEF that is also very close though not identical to Adams, and IMO, much better.
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My goodness. I like the guy and what his ministry does.
So, he isn't perfect and admits it. Either are you, yet you still open your mouth and give your opinion, and try to help people in need, don't you?
Gina -
Gina, perhaps you don't know enough about ole' Jimmy.
He does not work from a Scripture first position. He is a psychologist. I hope you understand the difference.
Further, the guy is a moralist. On what grounds would any of you all say the guy is even saved? Is it because he talks about God and the family? Come on, surely you all know better. -
I have some problems with Dobson's take on 'raising boys'. His book seems to insinuate that 'boys are just little men and can't help how they act'. Well the BIBLE says...
The fruit of the Spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, GENTLENESS, FAITHFULNESS AND SELF CONTROL.
It does NOT say..... except for men and boys.
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PastorGreg MemberSite Supporter
I agree with Dr. Bob in premise, however, so many believers today don't have the discernment to tell chicken from bones, thus making Dobson pretty dangerous overall. His dependence on psychology rather than Scripture and his pushing of Hugh Ross and his day/age theory of creation are a couple of areas of major concern.
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PastorGreg, are you in Oklahoma? Just wondering. Thanks.
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I have a problem with the concept of "Focus on the Family." While the family is extremely important (and as a single mother who raised a son by herself from the time he was not quite 8, don't I know it!!), you can lose the focus on Christ when you give anything else such a priority. There's a well-known statement that "the good is the enemy of the best."
While we should abide by scripture principles on marriage and in raising children, the "family" is not the main focus.
I hope that no one misinterprets this as me downgrading family, but I think it's a subtle thing that can lead away from abiding in Christ.
I also have problems with some of the psychology that Dobson promotes and using that as the basis for how to raise children or deal with others. -
PastorGreg MemberSite Supporter
There's some truth there, Marcia. I am big on family; it is a high priority for me and a major focus of my ministry, but I have also seen many people use the priority of family as an excuse for not being faithful to Christ and His church.
No, Jason, I'm not in Oklahoma.