Father Hunger - a book review

Father Hunger, subtitled, “Why God calls men to love and lead their families,” is a profound book on fatherhood.  The book is a foundational look at the roles and responsibilities of fathers.  The book uses significant theological, ideological, sociological, political, and economic arguments for the importance of fatherhood.  With candor and authenticity, the thesis is laid out as to the high calling of fathers as being fully responsible for their families.  This calling of fathers is also then contrasted with the trends and status of fathers at-large in society today.  In all, the call on fathers for their families is a sobering and humbling truth that we must commit fully to the sufficiency of God’s grace.

         

   Father Hunger is not your everyday book on fatherhood.  I have read many books on fatherhood and this one is different.  This book contains no five easy steps to having better conversations with your children, no heart-warming stories.  This is a foundational type book.  And, that is not to say that it is not practical, it is simply a different kind of parenting book. For example, the book begins by noting from the account of Jesus’ baptism, the approach of the Father.  First, the Father was there.  Second, He made His presence felt by sending the dove.  Third, He made His presence known by expressing identification with the Son.  Fourth, He expressed His love for His son.  And fifth, He expressed His pleasure in His Son.  What a profound look at our role as Fathers.

          

   The book covers the broad spectrum of fatherhood and related issues.  This is the point at which I had the most disagreements with the book.  I appreciated the overview of such significant social issues, but the approach felt too broad and scattered.  I do fully believe that fatherhood is foundational to every aspect of society and I do believe it is a crisis.  Also, I do believe that it starts with the Church and remains the responsibilities of followers of Christ to hold out the standard for society.  And, I pray that many of the treatises in this book are heeded and fatherhood in America becomes the God-honoring institution to which we were called.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.