James Dobson, Influential Evangelical Leader and Founder of Focus on the Family, Dies at 88

James Dobson, one of the most influential voices in conservative Christianity and founder of Focus on the Family, passed away on Thursday, according to a statement from the Dr. James Dobson Family Institute.

Dobson, a trained child psychologist, first rose to national prominence in the 1970s with his bestselling parenting book Dare to Discipline. The book’s strict approach to child-rearing struck a chord with many evangelical families and made him a household name among Christian conservatives.

Building a Conservative Powerhouse

In 1977, Dobson launched Focus on the Family, which grew into a powerful media and advocacy organization for evangelical values. A few years later, he helped establish the Family Research Council, a Christian think tank that remains active in U.S. politics.

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Dobson became known for his hardline stances on social issues. He fiercely opposed abortion rights, campaigned against the teaching of evolution in schools, and worked against LGBTQ+ rights. Focus on the Family openly described homosexuality as “a particularly evil lie of Satan” and called transgender identity “a lie from the pit of hell.”

For Dobson, the Bible was not just a personal guide but the foundation for public policy. He often warned that the growing acceptance of LGBTQ+ people was in direct conflict with what he saw as biblical family values.

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Vocal on the Culture Wars

When the U.S. Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage in 2015 through the Obergefell ruling, Dobson voiced his frustration on a Christian TV program, saying: “That decision is not really about gay marriage… It’s about the entire culture war. We lost the entire culture war with that one decision.”

By the 1980s, Dobson’s influence had grown so strong that political leaders actively sought him out. He was invited regularly to the White House to advise President Ronald Reagan and his team, and in 1985 he was appointed to Attorney General Edwin Meese’s Commission on Pornography.

Clout in Republican Politics

Dobson’s uncompromising positions sometimes put him at odds with GOP leaders. During the 1996 presidential campaign, he warned Republicans that weakening the party’s anti-abortion stance could drive evangelical voters away. He also objected to talk of Bob Dole picking a pro-abortion-rights running mate, underscoring his influence over evangelical political engagement at the time.

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Remembered as a Christian Giant

Over the decades, Dobson’s reach extended beyond politics. His radio programs, books, and media appearances shaped how millions of parents, pastors, and believers approached family and faith.

Family Research Council President Tony Perkins paid tribute in a statement: “Few people have had the positive, Christ-honoring impact on the family as Dr. Jim Dobson; his legacy will be lasting. Dr. Dobson will be missed, but like other influential Christian leaders of his era, he has raised many more in his wake.”