BOOK REVIEW
by Sandy Fiedler
Is popularity an indicator of biblical correctness? No, say the authors of a book critiquing the works of Dr. James Dobson, one of the nation’s most popular Christian spokespersons.James Dobson's Gospel of Self-Esteem and Psychology (ISBN 094171716X, EastGate Publishers, Santa Barbara, CA) is a 1998 revision of a 1990 book called Prophets of Psychoheresy II. It is an even-handed, documented commentary on Dobson's "Christian" psychology.
For 30 years authors Martin and Deidre Bobgan have observed what they term "psychoheresy." They have watched while reliance on the unproven methods of manmade psychology has swallowed up confidence in the Bible for guidance in daily life.
The Bobgans offer numerous quotes from Dobson’s books and radio broadcasts followed by readable analyses in the light of scripture.
In the beginning, Dobson’s 1970 book Dare to Discipline gave Christian parents what they wanted—permission from someone in the highly regarded field of psychology to spank their children, as the Bible admonished them. Springing forth was the popular but polluted stream of Christianity mixed with psychology. And Dobson’s ideas filled the homes of unquestioning Christians.
Dobson claims to base his ideas on the Bible. Having taken that stand, he then presents his major themes, such as the momentous value of high self-esteem, an idea that cannot be found in scripture. Popular belief links low self-esteem to the rise in social ills such as drug abuse, promiscuity, and violence. However, the authors cite research that shows and that there is minimal correlation between low self-esteem and bad behaviors. In addition, they illustrate that Americans have a tendency toward high self-esteem, not low.
They disagree with the premise that psychology is a treatment of the mind like medicine is a treatment for the body. The benefits of medicine are provable and scientific while psychology is neither. Dobson often supports his ideas with emotionally charged anecdotal narratives rather than scientific research or scripture. Sadly, the authors conclude that Dobson has placed the Bible in a secondary position to the godless, secular writings of Maslow, Skinner, Freud, etc.
While Dobson reminds readers that he is not a theologian and that he is primarily addressing family matters, aren't we all defining a theology when we espouse a view of the nature of God and of man? The psychological theories that deal with the mind proclaim a view of the nature of man that contradicts the biblical view of man’s sinful fallen condition and the only path to redemption through faith in Jesus Christ. Psychology conveys faith in man’s ability to "sanctify" himself, which is secular humanism, not the walk of faith and work of the Holy Spirit.
One wonders: If a caring family and high self-esteem produce a happy life, with psychology there to help through the rough spots, then why do we need a Savior? Psychology does not differentiate between Christians and nonChristians. Is Christianity a pleasant, optional addendum to a life or is it the essential element? The Bible declares that Christians have the "Hope of Glory," their Savior Jesus Christ, while nonChristians are in darkness, separated from God.
Because psychology has so diluted the gospel presented in the American churches, the Bobgans’ examination of psychoheresy could help wake us up and, as in the days of Josiah, rediscover the counsel of the written Word of God.
Copyright 1999,
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