Book Title & Author: Disciplines of a Godly Family by Kent and Barbara Hughes
Published: 1995
Justin and I were given this book for Christmas by a young married couple that we do a Bible study with. They don't have children, and neither do we, so this review will be largely theoretical and theological rather than practical.
The purpose of Disciples of a Godly Family is to help parents realize "the hope that their children will come to know Christ early and will go on to full lives of service" (preface). To this end, we are given a laundry list of things that families should do in order to teach their children how to live, including topics about how to build a family, how to cultivate a family's spiritual life, and everyday living. There is an extensive appendix which gives the reader practical instructions about a wide range of topics, from how to use an advent tree to "Common-sense Tips Regarding Discipline."
I realize that the Hughes parents were trying to encourage Christians that good, functional families actually exist, but occasionally the book seemed arrogant. For example, in the preface, the Hughes write that "We are not perfect parents with model children, though today they are all exemplary Christians. Rather, ours is an eloquent witness that imperfect people, from less than perfect backgrounds, can by God's grace raise a joyous Christian family. What we share is personal, an intimate album of childrearing. It is our family's gift to you." I get what they're trying to say, but it nevertheless rubs me the wrong way.
I had never before heard the idea that "doubt is a part of living faith" and "a part of faith," and I'm not completely sure that I agree with this idea (64, 65). It's certain that all Christians doubt, but the Hughes almost seemed embrace it. I agree that everyone will have his doubts at some point, and that all things work together for God's glory and our good (including doubts). Nevertheless, doubt is a product of the fallen world - something that springs from our own sin. There is nothing righteous about doubt. Of course, we can and should try to handle doubt with biblical encouragement, fellowship, and exhortation.
There were more points of theology that I disagreed with, which wasn't surprising since Justin and I are the only non-Presbyterians in an all-Presbyterian circle. :)
Overall, I would recommend this book as an interesting and quick read. I definitely didn't agree with every argument or practice the book presented, and I didn't learn anything ground-breaking, but there was a lot of solid content and mostly good theology.
Next week: The Biblical View of Self-Esteem, Self-Love, and Self-Image by Jay E. Adams
So was there any gospel in the book? What about when we fail? How did they deal with those ideas?
ReplyDeleteWhat Dad said.
ReplyDeleteI thought they failed to establish a reason to raise children to follow the Lord. It was assumed that we all knew we were supposed to teach our children to love God, but the reasons were never discussed. I wish there had been a section on the Gospel - it was mentioned, but the book was more a "do this" book than a "something went wrong, so remember/do this" book, if that makes sense.
ReplyDeleteIt was good for what it was, but I wish there had been more theology and less practical information.
And of course, any list of "should do's" that aren't what the Bible says are "should do's" needs to be taken with a grain of salt. There is no formula for successful childrearing.
ReplyDelete(Mr. Linky is up over at my blog, btw.)
I do not agree that doubt is something we should embrace as Christians. It happens, yes, but once it happens, we need to realize why it happened and work to not let that doubt come back, even though it will.
ReplyDeleteIt's our duty as Christians to TRY to live as Christ lived, and to embrace doubt seems like a cop out to me...kind of like the "oh well, I'm going to sin, so I might as well not worry about it" mentality that I see in a lot of Christians today.
It's lazy, is what it is.