Goodbye, Dr. James Dobson

Dr. James Dobson has gone on to be with the Lord at the age of 89. One of the problems of living as long as I have is that you start to lose friends and loved ones more often. I would count Dr. Dobson as both a friend AND a loved one, almost as family. 

To me, James Dobson was an inspiration and a teacher. I first started reading his books on children and marriage around the time I had my first child, Faith, in 1977. At age 25, married for four years, we had our first child, the start of one of the main adventures of life for many people - raising children. It was a simpler time than it is now, nearly 50 years later. So many things have changed, at least outwardly. 

Dr. Dobson was guided by his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and this came through his teaching and his books. He had a humility about him, but he also had a sincere and comforting demeanor of personally knowing the love of God in his life, through his own family and the church family to which he belonged. 

Dobson's books were numerous. He had a heart for the family - for marriage, for the raising of children, and for the relationships that are so deeply foundational for society and culture. I do not remember which book of his I read first, but it was likely DARE TO DISCIPLINE. As I recall, it held in high regard the older-fashioned ways of dealing with the foibles of parent-child relationships. He had a firm grasp of the ways of childhood that exasperate and frustrate parents, and how to deal with the various stages that are quite universal (with variations) in the development of children into adults. THE STRONG-WILLED CHILD was another book quite helpful in this regard. 

I would dare to say that if Dobson's theories and observations and suggested practices had been put into play across the board in the United States in 1980 until now, some 45 years later, our country would be so incredibly different AND BETTER than what we see today!

James Dobson also cared deeply about the husband-wife foundational relationship of society. The 1960s and 70s were treacherous times for society. The “sexual revolution" in many different forms, the crumbling of the authority of the church, the exodus of people from real faith, the growth of liberal-progressive humanism with its trust in science and the goodness of man, all played into some very destructive forces that have broken down society and culture in so many ways. Divorce began to be far more common, and I suffered one myself from my first wife in 1982, after only 8-9 years of marriage, and with two young children. 

Dr. Dobson wrote books profusely, stemming from his care, his experience in counseling, and his observations of what was going on in the world. WHAT WIVES WISH THEIR HUSBANDS KNEW ABOUT WOMEN was one of the books I treasured, after what I had gone through. LOVE MUST BE TOUGH, and HIDE OR SEEK (Building Self-Esteem in Your Child) were also very good books that I learned from. STRAIGHT TALK TO MEN was another one I appreciated. Dobson had a humility that came through his writings, almost like having a caring, loving dad right there giving you advice for your life. 

As an outgrowth of his thoughts and writings, Dobson started Focus on the Family, first in California and then moving to Colorado Springs, CO, an institution given to sharing by various means to support and further the family structure in the world based on Christian truth. He was instrumental in founding the Family Research Council, and other organizations that have been key in the culture war in which we find ourselves. 

Many who could be counted as enemies of Jesus Himself also find enmity with Dr. James Dobson. The progressives and liberals who view Dobson with distaste and even disgust and hatred, would do well to visit with those who have benefitted from his teachings, who share his faith. 

Jesus spoke words that are apropos for those who speak ill of Dr. Dobson. 

“Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruits.

“Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.'”

The good fruit of Dr. Dobson's life and ministry will be felt for many years and through significant generations. A very warm and heartfelt thanksgiving to God for this man who loved and served God, and served humanity with love and humility for decades.