Let's start with a good quote:
"A father is responsible to lead his children in a way that helps them think biblically about everything.
In contrast to this, consider Abraham Kuyper’s famous statement from his inaugural address at the Free University of Amsterdam. “There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry: ‘Mine!” If this is true, and it most certainly is, what are the ramification for education?
As was shown earlier, authority flows to those who take responsibility. Taking responsibility is the foundation of all the true authority. This means that reestablishing authority is accomplished by taking responsibility. Often a simple reassertion of authority is an attempt to evade responsibility. The point is reasserted so that some one else will do what needs doing. This is not only impotent; it is counterproductive."
I have to admit that when I first chose to review this book, I wasn't looking for any great insights. There have been far too many let downs from different sermons and books on a father's role to really get excited about another attempt. However, there are a few pearls in these pages that kept me reading.
Fatherlessness is a “rot that is eating away at the modern soul,” writes Douglas Wilson, and it goes way beyond not being there. “Most of our families are starving for fathers, even if Dad is around, and there’s a huge cost to our children and our society because of it.” This is all true, and a truth that needs to be hammered more often in order to push some fathers into being accountable to the biblical role that they profess to believe.
Wilson uses analysis of research on the family and fatherlessness to back up his rich and wise summation of decades of really rotten family life in America - the stats may be American, but they match what is seen in Canada, too. Surprisingly, this combination makes for a good read.
Using the research, Mr. Wilson shows how many of the problems of our culture (homelessness, poverty, lack of education, crime) can be traced to fatherlessness.
One worthwhile observation is that all dads influence their children even if their influence is by their absence. The incredible impact of a dad goes far beyond joining a Dad’s group and signing a pledge (although that movie was a good one to watch); a dad influences simply because it is what he was created to do.
Although the book gets a little bogged down with research stuff which can cause me to skip over those parts,it is a worthwhile book that exposes the sin of fatherlessness. It also calls fathers to repent of their abdication and return to the Father of all for the strength to do what is right and good - that's always a good thing! Douglas Wilson creates a strong case for a godly vision of fatherhood and exhorts men to “man up” and change the world by stepping into their God-ordained role.
Disclaimer: I receive books from Thomas Nelson Publishers (Booksneeze) free of charge in exchange for my unbiased opinion of them. I am not threatened or rewarded in any way in efforts to encourage me to provide a positive review. All opinions are mine.
