Father Hunger: Why God Calls Men to Love and Lead Their Families [Paperback]

Douglas Wilson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2012

Fatherlessness is a “rot that is eating away at the modern soul,” writes Douglas Wilson, and the problem goes far beyond physical absence. “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.” Father Hunger takes a thoughtful, timely, richly engaging excursion into our cultural chasm of absentee fatherhood. Blending leading-edge research with incisive analysis and real-life examples, Wilson:

• Traces a range of societal ills―from poverty and crime to joyless feminism and paternalistic government expansion―to a vacuum of mature masculinity
• Explains the key differences between asserting paternal authority and reestablishing true spiritual fathering
• Uncovers the corporate-fulfillment fallacy and other mistaken assumptions that undermine fatherhood
• Extols the benefits of restoring fruitful fathering, from stronger marriages to greater economic liberty

Filled with practical ideas and self-evaluation tools, Father Hunger both encourages and challenges men to “embrace the high calling of fatherhood,” becoming the dads that their families and our culture so desperately need them to be.

"Wilson sounds a clarion call among Christian men that is pointedly biblical, urgently relevant, humorously accessible, and practically wise." ―Richard D. Phillips, author of The Masculine Mandate: God's Calling to Men

"Father Hunger illulstrates one of the greatest influences or lack thereof on the identity of a man: a father. Read a book that will strike an invisible chord in the lives of men both lost and found." ―Dr. Eric Mason, pastor of Epiphany Fellowship, Philadelphia

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Douglas Wilson is a senior fellow of theology at New Saint Andrews College. Wilson is the author of numerous books on education, theology, and culture, including: The Case for Classical Christian Education, Recovering the Lost Tools of Learning, Mother Kirk, and Angels in the Architecture, as well as biographies on both Anne Bradstreet and John Knox.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (May 1, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1595554769
• ISBN-13: 978-1595554765
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (82 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #43,972 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Douglas Wilson is the minister of Christ Church in Moscow, Idaho, which is a member of the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches (CREC). After his stint in the submarine service of the U.S. Navy, he attended the University of Idaho, where he obtained an MA in philosophy.

As one of its founders, he has served on the board of Logos School, a classical and Christian school (K-12), since its inception. He is also a Senior Fellow of theology at New St. Andrews College. He is the author of numerous books, including Reforming Marriage, The Case for Classical Christian Education, Letter from a Christian Citizen, and Blackthorn Winter. He is also the general editor for the Omnibus textbook series. His blog can be found at www.dougwils.com.

All his favorite authors begin their names with initials--C.S. Lewis, G.K. Chesterton, H.L. Mencken, J.R.R. Tolkien, N.D. Wilson, and P.G. Wodehouse. The one exception is Nancy Wilson, a favorite author to whom he has been married for over thirty-four years. They have three children and fifteen grandchildren.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Father Hunger June 29, 2012

By DrBob

Format:Paperback

Since fatherhood has been around since creation, it would seem there wouldn't be a lot of new things to say about the role of a father. However, Douglas Wilson not only offers some fresh insights into the problems so prevalent in our generation, he knocks a home run. In truth, perhaps it's a grand slam. It's a must read for fathers and pastors, as well as counselors.

Having reared four daughters, and now seeing them rear their children, my view on fatherhood has been molded not only by scripture but life experience. While Wilson does not give us much insight into his personal relationships with his own children (3) and grandchildren (15), he obviously had to try his theories in the crucible of life.

He is able to extrapolate deep principles, and I found his understanding to be extremely invigorating. It seems God has directed me along many of the same paths, and the extracted truths were affirming. I believe he has been true to the scriptures. Correctly describing the conditions both in our country and the church, he offers difficult but real solutions.

One point that was particularly pungent was his section on "Discipline as Gift and Gratitude." I have discovered the connection between spirituality and gratitude, and this was significant addition to my understanding. I am grateful for the wholesome relationship I have with my daughters, even if I stumbled into doing some things correctly.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Deep Divers Only December 13, 2012

By @JoshKissee

Format:Paperback

Sitting in your chair browsing the internet, eyes firmly affixed to the screen, you hear the sound of rushing water. The sound has a low, yet ominous rumble that raises caution in your heart. You turn to look in the direction where you hear it growing louder, louder, then suddenly, a splash! Cold water pours into your face as you suddenly feel the weight of an ocean atop your shoulders.

In the book, Father Hunger: Why God Calls Men to Love and Lead Their Families (Thomas Nelson, 2012), author and theologian Douglas Wilson leads men on a journey that provides a compelling wake-up call with frightening statistics and implications for the phenomenon of absentee Fathers on a grand macroeconomic scale.

Are you:
* Curious about what all the be a better dad talk is all about?
* Want to know how you can get started in practical ways for improving your relationship with your children?
* Desiring to find a motivational or lite read on the topic of Fatherhood?
If this is you, then don't read this book.

Unless you are specifically looking to be challenged, convicted, proved of your mistakes as a father with biblical facts, and shown the long-term economic and political consequences of missing the mark as a Father then read on.

Father Hunger provides a wide variety, a survey of sorts. Douglas Wilson uses artist's thick brush to paint wide-strokes that highlight the underlying causes of the current father crisis in America. The book lacks many specific, practical, firm examples of how to break free of negative fatherhood cycles.... However, there are statistics abounding and scriptural verses in plenty that force fathers to think and dig-in to where they stand on specific topics from a father's perspective such as work, gender roles (masculinity versus femininity), politics, family discipline, and the economic value of the family. One of the core arguments of the book is that fathers are asleep at the wheel of their family leadership all while our culture is changing toward a model that does not allow the father to lead as he was designed by God to lead, placing him in the backseat of a runaway car. Advocating that a man must pick up his responsibility to the family and in doing so, become a pillar within society.

"Fathers are important and create a Molecular backbone to society. When men are responsible, sober, hard-working members of their local communities - self-restrained - this creates pockets of personal responsibility that the state does not easily control."

"When a man picks up responsibility with the intention of being serious about it, he soon finds himself living as a pillar in the family, in the church, in the community."

It can be argued that the family is under attack in America, and in specific, the role of the Father or his lack thereof is frequently questioned. Television shows depict men as "bumbling idiots" or "sex crazed" to the exclusion of every other thing in their life. Sure, men may go to work, but once they get home it's time for TV, back-talking kids with video game controllers in hand, and sex if they are lucky. Father hunger works to display these common deceptions within the media for what they are, revealing that these are attack's on Fatherhood in order to cause a quick laugh a make a buck. The revelation of the extensive media reach against the family, namely the Father, is one of the strongest points in the book.

There are some golden nuggets that provide thought for the family battleground. Wilson writes of fathers who are prideful and put their children down.

"Another problem is pride. Say that a young son is acting up in public settings and embarrassing his father. The father knows there is a serious problem and he finds himself making excuses to people for his sons behavior, but he doesn't actually do anything about the problem. He is not trying to help his son, but rather he is trying to smooth over awkward situations for himself. The central problem in this situation is pride - the fathers."

Points like this are common examples that many Fathers have felt in the past, as it is easy to walk away and ignore problems with your children and make excuses than it is to deal directly with the root cause. The other side of the coin comes in one of the most profound pieces of positive encouragement to address family problems by saying, "Men don't carry things because they happen to have broad shoulders. They have broad shoulders because God created them to carry things".

Men need motivation, encouragement, integrity, consistency, positive influence from their wife, support from other men, and a grounded heart that lovingly desires to lead their children as part of their journey through fatherhood. For men looking to get started, avoid this book. Check-out Raising a Modern Day Knight, by Robert Lewis. His book will provide powerful examples, stories, encouragement, and some general guidelines for building a relationship with your son.

If you are already sold on the need for being a biblical father and are looking for a deep diving, sober splash of water, then read this book and drink in the many solid points. Stand firm in knowing who you work for.

"A father should bring home the bread of course. But he should also provide for his family an example for living like a Christian, resisting all attempts of Corporate America to press him into its mold (rom 12:1-1), seeing Christ in all the clients and customers, and laboring in such a way that would not embarrass him if summoned to do work for a King. For come to think of it, he is working for the a King (col 3:22)"

If you already know your role as a Father, then save the time spent on reading this book and take your son or daughter for a special one-on-one time with Dad. It is worth the investment. Read more ›

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Becoming a Father after God's Own Heart October 5, 2012

By Louise Holzhauer

Format:Paperback

Those of us who had absent, distant or even abusive fathers know instinctively that "father hunger" means living with longing and insecurity. It is imperative for us right now, as a society, to consider the role of fathers and the impact of fatherlessness. Will we bequeath the vision of a father's strength, generosity and wisdom to the next generation or leave only an empty, father hunger? Douglas Wilson addresses men on this topic and challenges them to become a father after God's own heart.

This book communicates graceful truths about many areas of masculine responsibility, from education to the workplace to church leadership. Wilson paints the picture of a high calling and urges men to "pick it up and put it on like a coat" (p. 199). At the same time, he is unflagging in his passion for a father's role which goes much deeper than behavior modification or preaching. "Gracious fathers lead their sons through the minefield of sin. Indulgent fathers watch their sons wander off into the minefield. Legal fathers chase them there" (p. 185).

The last several chapters, from which the quotes above were taken, contain the best stuff, in my opinion. However, I almost did not get past the sarcastic and argumentative tone in some earlier material. In his discussion of masculinity and gender roles, for example, Wilson labels egalitarianism a "poison" (p. 5), and defends himself against criticisms he imagines will be leveled against him by "humorless" feminists (p. 11). Although I do not consider myself either an egalitarian or a feminist, I was put off by his abrasiveness, and I can only imagine that sincere Christians with a slightly more liberal theology could feel genuinely insulted.

Taken as a whole this book has value, but I have to offer two caveats.... First, be sure this is the book you want, because it is not a book for women about healing father hunger; it is a book for men about preventing father hunger. Second, while any new or prospective father - any man searching for meaning and definition in his masculine role - can find direction and inspiration in these pages, there may be some who lose interest or find offense along the way. Read more ›

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Hard Rock Mining August 25, 2012

By Warren Rachele VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

Coming to the final pages of Father Hunger, I find myself exhausted. Having taken pick and shovel into the pages of Wilson's book, I find myself looking at my still empty hands. Here there I encountered color in the paragraphs but assembling a coherent whole out of a sentence here or a paragraph here was simply beyond my abilities. Mining this book for its treasures takes dedication, time and a notepad.

And it shouldn't be this way.

Taking on an issue that is critical to the reversal of cultural trends, Douglas Wilson could have done much better. When I finished the book I would have liked to easily identify the next action step that I should take to address the problems discussed. Instead, I'm left scratching my head wondering what I just read and just what prescription will turn the issue around. Jesus seems to be the answer but the application is absent.

The author's style may lie at the heart of the readability issue. He veers unexpectedly from and academic voice to colloquialism to one-off humorous aside in the span of a few sentence. I didn't know whether to snicker or go to the notes to verify a fact. This is not to say that there are not strong chapters, there are, but their effectiveness is blunted by those that go nowhere. Perhaps an editor that enforces a single voice could have saved the book.

If the reader takes each chapter on its own merit and reads the scriptures referenced in context they will gain more from Wilson's work. The question is, will the casual reader be willing to commit to the extra work in order to find the nuggets?