August 22, 1998 (David W. Cloud, Fundamental Baptist Information Service, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061-0368, fbns@wayoflife.org) - Popular Christian psychologist James Dobson is extremely ecumenical. In 1989, Focus on the Family vice president Rolf Zettersten testified: "One of the striking first impressions I had when I came to Focus on the Family seven years ago was the DIVERSITY OF DENOMINATIONS represented by my co-workers" (Focus on the Family, December 1988). He said: "I joined the Nazarenes, Presbyterians, Baptists, and Charismatics (& many other denominations) who had CAST THEIR THEOLOGICAL DISTINCTIVES ASIDE in order to achieve a common objective--to help families."

Dobson appears to have a close and non-critical relationship with the Roman Catholic Church.

The March 8-14, 1998, issue of the National Catholic Register contained an article about Catholic musicians. It noted that the following artists who move in Contemporary Christian Music circles are Roman Catholic: John Michael Talbot, Kathy Triccoli, Tom Booth, Tony Melendez, Sarah Hart, Danny Langdon, and Sheryl Crow. The article also noted that James Dobson and Focus on the Family has endorsed Kathy Triccoli and her music. The National Catholic Register also pointed out that Dobson endorses a Catholic youth magazine named YOU!

The November 1989, issue of Focus on the Family's Clubhouse magazine featured the late Roman Catholic Mother Teresa. A smiling Mother Teresa was on the cover, and the lead article was entitled "Teresa of Calcutta: Little Woman with a Big Heart." The readers of this magazine were made to think that Mother Teresa was a genuine New Testament Christian and that she did great work for God through her Sisters of Charities mission. This is a deception. Mother of Teresa preached the false sacramental gospel of Rome and has given multitudes of people a false comfort by encouraging them to place their hopes in such vanities as the Roman Catholic mass and the Roman Catholic Mary. It is an abomination before God for Dobson to feature this woman in his magazine to gullible young people.

The September 1990, issue of New Covenant, a Catholic charismatic magazine, featured Dobson and a very positive report on Focus on the Family. Dobson's photo appeared the cover.

In the late 1980s Dobson helped form the Religious Alliance Against Pornography which included Roman Catholic priests and bishops. The 1986 meeting was held in St. Patrick's Cathedral. Dobson praised the unity which was present at that meeting and stated that "there has been great camaraderie among the top leaders of virtually all religious groups" in the U.S. (Focus on the Family, January 1987). Of this alliance Jerry Kirk said, "Never before have we seen Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Greek Orthodox and (Mormon) leaders come together in such agreement and cooperation on an issue." Also represented at the meeting were the National Association of Evangelicals, the National Council of Churches, the Southern Baptist Convention, and Charismatics. A Catholic archbishop called the alliance "an ecumenical miracle."

Dobson's ecumenical flirtations have not gone unrewarded. The Catholic Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio, bestowed an honorary doctorate upon him as a statement of their support for Focus on the Family (Evangelical Catholics, p. 200).

This illustrates the great error of New Evangelical philosophy. There is no doubt that Dobson is a kind man who has helped people. There is no doubt that his focus on the family has done some good. Yet doing good is no excuse for ignoring the Word of God. Dobson's teaching is a subtle and dangerous mixture of humanistic psychology and Bible, and his ministry has no warning about doctrinal error and false gospels. He does fight against social evils such as abortion and pornography, but false gospels and religious idolatry are at least as destructive as any social ill. The root of America’s moral sickness is the religious apostasy which is rampant in the churches. The Apostles did not lead crusades against social and political evils; they preached the gospel and built doctrinally strong churches and defended the truth from false teachers.

Dobson does not warn about the wickedness of Romanism. Of course, if he did the Catholics would not so readily recommend his ministry. We don't know a man's motivations, but we do know that Dr. Dobson has admitted that a great many of his listeners are Catholic. We do know that the New Evangelical is willing to limit his message to broaden his fellowship. This is not God's way, though. The Scriptures are given for doctrine (2 Timothy 3:16), and those who slight doctrine are not obeying Scripture.

Catholicism, with its sacramental gospel, has sent more people to hell than any other Christian cult. The Apostle Paul said that anyone who preaches a false gospel is cursed of God (Gal. 1:6-10). That Rome's gospel is false is certain. The Council of Trent, reaffirmed by Vatican II, proclaimed, "If anyone shall say that justifying faith is nothing else than confidence in the divine mercy pardoning sins for Christ's sake, or that it is that confidence alone by which we are justified ... let him be accursed" (Canon 12). Rome is an avowed enemy of the New Testament faith.

It is not a small matter to ignore error. Especially is this true for a worldwide ministry such as Dobson's. As a Christian minister, Dobson is responsible to preach and to follow the Word of God, yet he ignores all of the many passages of Scripture about contending with and separating from error. He claims to be concerned for the family, but he appears very unconcerned about the theological wolves who devour families.

We believe fundamental Bible believers should have nothing to do with Focus on the Family. It is as deeply compromised as the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.