Customer Reviews

The Complete Husband: A Practical Guide to Biblical Husbanding

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I read this volume a few months ago as part of my monthly men's discipleship group, and quite frankly, took a spiritual bludgeoning. This was far and away one of the toughest books I have ever had to read. The author assumes two things about his readers. First, that you're a committed follower of Jesus Christ, with a sincere desire to please God in your marriage. Second, that you're not thin-skinned, because this book ain't for wimps. Be ready to set aside your pride -- you won't be needing it.

This is not a complicated book. It simply sets out the very high scriptural standard that we as men are to follow as we live out our marriages and try to love our wives as Christ loved the church. It also enumerates in no uncertain terms the many, many, many ways we fail to live up to that standard. The bottom line is that we are to sacrifice whatever it takes of our own "rights" and desires so that we can demonstrate true Christ-like love toward our wives and present them blameless and holy before the Lord in the day of judgment. If you are a Christian husband, you are squarely in the author's crosshairs -- but only because you are first in God's crosshairs. I'll never forget sitting next to my wife as I read this book, and looking over at her like a deer in the headlights saying "I can't do this!"

Don't despair, though. The book is not all doom and gloom for us sinful wretches. It's also chock full of great advice on how to rise to the challenge of scripture. I have implemented some of this in my own marriage, and it works! All it takes is a teachable spirit, a humble attitude, a willingess to work up a sweat (figuratively speaking), and a lot of help from the Holy Spirit, and you can take not only your marriage but also your personal relationship with Christ to a whole new level. Remember, 1 Pet. 3:7 admonishes us husbands to live with our wives in an understanding way, giving honor to the wife as to the weaker (read "more fragile and valuable") vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that our prayers may not be hindered. This book will give alot of great advice on how to live that out. Read it! Live it! Love it!

Great book.

Priolo's book is an outstanding resource for reminding ourselves (as men) that we are to be the first ones on the cross in our homes. We cannot wait for our wives to lead. We cannot respond in anger or in half-heartedness. We must be dedicated to "fighting back without getting even" as Priolo puts it. We must learn to overcome evil with good, never seeking our own satisfaction, but the joy of our spouse and children in loving their Lord. Impossible? Yes, without the Lord's help. But Priolo makes that point over and over.

I was dissappointed in another reader's review of the book, saying that it promoted a view of the wife as inferior or weak, etc. I don't understand that position at all. This is not what I got from the book--nor do I think anyone else would after an honest reading. Priolo even states near the beginning (in the context of learning about your wife and her everyday needs/desires) that the husband probably shouldn't worry too much about the wife having to learn about the husband because she probably knows him already. She's probably already meeting his needs. Priolo gives most of the benefit of the doubt to the woman. As he says, it is the man's responsibility to be the first one on the cross.

A very practical guide on being a husband, the role and responsibilities. Focused on biblically based precepts and principles. Emphasis is on application and not just theory. Good for a newly wed as well as a refresher course reading for the seasoned husband. Would recommend as a good read for wives as well. Recommended reading for small bible study accountability groups as well.

Mr. Priolo has done it again! This is a must read for all current and future husbands. The book is filled with insights and instructions on the roles and responsibilities of the husband. The author compellingly exhorts the husbands from the Bible on how to love, serve and lead one's wife. The appendix section with questions and practical suggestions alone is worth the price of the book. Again a must read for all husbands seeking to grow as servant/spiritual leaders at home. Also a great gift for future husbands!

This is an excellent book that is challenging for a husband on any level. The book primary deals with communication and attitudes which is 95% of marriage anyway. Only one chapter is devoted to the physical aspects of marriage in very general terms. If you purchase this book, be ready to change your thoughts, attitudes, and actions towards your wife. The only minor flaw is that the scripture quotes are not from the NIV but from another modern English version.

Excellent book...would encourage any Christian to get this book and read it and then read it over and over. This is not a book to just read and put down, but one which I find myself going back to often to apply to our marriage. Lou gives valuable biblical insight in applying biblical principles in being a godly husband and gives several worksheets to evaluate your role as a husband and also helpful appendices at the end of the book. I have enjoyed this book and it makes a great gift for other husbands or future husbands. This is a valuable resource.

My wife and I are serve in marriage counseling in our church and have come across a number of great books on marriage but for husbands this one is the best that I've come across so far for a number of reasons...

(1) IT IS VERY GEARED TOWARDS APPLICATION:

Priolo wrote this book with the intention of husbands applying it. I've started going through it with my wife and she has really been encouraged. We are ordering a second copy so that she can read it with me and discuss the material together.

(2) IT IS THEOLOGICALLY EXCELLENT:

The scriptures are always quoted when he makes a theological argument and thus it is easy to find the passages yourself to study them in context to be affirmed in his application of the verses. I was surprised to see a couple reviews from women who thought the book represented a low view of women. This is not the case at all. The wives of the husbands who read and apply this book are going to be the real winners.

(3) IT REALLY IS COMPLETE:

I am amazed how Priolo has been able to cover this topic so well with so few pages. His communication is short and sweet but also very understandable. He is a very gifted communicator.

One warning for husbands however: This book will not be easy to apply. It will be hard work! Additionally, it will seriously challenge you to put self to death in order to love your wife effectively and self sacrificially. It will challenge you to put in real effort to draw out your wife so that you can both know her better and know your own faults better (so that you can change and love her more effectively).

This book was required reading for a class that I was taking. It turned out to be a fantastic book that I wish all men would read: those married and those thinking about marriage. It was very practical and could be easily applied.

This book helped to change my life, my marraige and most of all my attitude. Second only to the Bible in wisdom this book is amazing.
Whether you are married or not all men should read this book and take it to heart, thank you Lou Priolo for such a wise and inspirational book.

My wife and I will have been married for 30 years in August 2009 but would probaly not have made it if not for your book. Our marraige has grown in love and respect by leaps and bounds since first reading The Complete Husband back in 1998. A belief and trust in the Bible, and Jesus Christ as your Savior, is a prerequisite for understanding the principles that it presents. If you are not saved it will be quiet confusing to you I'm sure, but still worth reading. It will open a whole new world of understanding between a husband and wife and what a husbands real responsiblilies are along with how he really needs to treat his wife.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

Priolo's stated aim for this book is as follows: "...to consider all of the New Testament commands that are addressed specifically to the husband" (p. 13). This is very important to keep in mind. If you're looking for a thorough analysis of the distinctive roles between husband and wives, you'll be disappointed. If you're looking for a discussion of the wife's responsibility as a Christian wife, you'll be disappointed. BUT THIS IS EXACTLY THE BOOK'S STRENGTH! By focusing on the NT commands for husbands, Priolo makes us men consider what our responsibilities before God are. That's an important focus. As he warns, expect to be frustrated, disturbed, angered, convicted and disheartened. God's standards are high, but He is gracious, His Spirit is at work, and God is committed to continue working in us. Over and over again, the men who I studied this book with would complain, "Yeah, but what about when she...?" This book forces us to look at our own God-given call, irrespective of the reactions it receives. That is a much needed focus.

Priolo is, at times, overly-dependent on Jay Adams, often quoting large blocks of his works. Since those books are readily available, the book would have flowed better if Priolo had summarized and condensed the quoted material. At other times, Priolo's argument is based on catchy preacher-ese rather than strong biblical arguments. However, generally, this work is thoroughly biblical and highly recommended.