The Most Important Place on Earth: What a Christian Home Looks Like and How to Build One [Paperback]

Robert Wolgemuth (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 3, 2006

Many people did not grow up in a Christian home, and many more do not consider their childhood experience a good model. Robert Wolgemuth presents this inspiring, practical book for people who want to have a Christian home.

So, what's so great about a Christian home? There's redemption. There's forgiveness. There's hope. Laughter and genuine happiness. There's discipline and purpose there. And there's grace . . . lots of grace.

The Most Important Place on Earth covers eight answers to the question "What does a Christian home look like?" It's filled with stories and practical ideas that will convince any reader that a Christian home is not an elusive stereotype. It's something that really can be achieved. And it's something worth having. You'll see.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this book about the essential ingredients of a Christian home, Wolgemuth states that readers should use the guide as "a cafeteria in printed form... there will only be a few things that you'll choose at a time"; however, he seems to view virtually all of his advice as non-negotiable. Most of his ideas, such as treating every member of the family lovingly and finding ways to pray and worship together often, are thoughtfully articulated, good reminders. However, when Wolgemuth makes a troubling and poorly supported argument in favor of spanking (he bases his claim that spanking is effective on an unscientific poll conducted on a conservative Web site), he loses some credibility. Some readers may be uneasy about his use of Ephesians to argue that family relationships are hierarchical—God first, then Dad and Mom and finally the children. In a book that mostly encourages gentle parenting, these admonitions are glaring. Finally, readers are likely to struggle with Wolgemuth's persistent idealization of his own family. While he includes a few examples of personal failures, his anecdotes often feel boastful. This, as well as his and his wife's routinely judgmental responses to other families, adds an ungracious element to an otherwise helpful book.
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Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (October 3, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0785280324
• ISBN-13: 978-0785280323
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #450,886 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Treasure, November 3, 2004

By 

L. Queen (Charlotte, NC) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Most Important Place on Earth: What a Christian Home Looks Like and How to Build One (Hardcover)

After reading "The Most Important Place on Earth" in 3 days, I am so encouraged and excited about my own family and the home that we share as our refuge. Wolgemuth pulls from his own experiences as a son, as a father, and as a grandfather to share how he has witnessed first-hand the victory of making a Christian home "different." And being proud and diligent to do so. He explains how so many small things that we say or do (that may even seem unimportant) can become major influences in making our children or spouse feel loved and welcome and safe in their own home. Our society's influence and even our own idols of perfectionism and materialism have clouded our view of what is most important and Wolgemuth pushes to have the reader realize that time spent on each other within the family is eternal and necessary work. Many times, we witness families that are overflowing with joy, laughter, and respect and seem to work so well - and we wonder what it is that our own is lacking. This book is packed full of little nuggets of practical things to do or say that truly make a difference in the tone of a family and all of the relationships within. I love that Wolgemuth also touches on mistakes made and the ability to ask for forgiveness. What an example for a child to see their parent come to receive forgiveness. I love his reference to the parents as the "priests" of the family, entering the throne of the Father on bended knee on behalf of the family. Our example is the best way to train children. What a wonderful treasure of encouragement and focus on the home - it truly is the most important place on Earth.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Uplifting, encouraging and challenging - great read., June 26, 2006

By 

Dan Panetti "Worldview Director" (Plano, TX USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Most Important Place on Earth: What a Christian Home Looks Like and How to Build One (Hardcover)

An absolutely outstanding read - very uplifting, very challenging. Author of She Calls Me Daddy!, Wolgemuth explores the various unique elements that make a Christian home different than just any other home. While the book has many practical suggestions that Wolgemuth shares from his own experience (good and bad), the primary emphasis of this book is to get the reader to feel, not think, about the importance of the Christian home. Wolgemuth begins with the smell of a Christian home - the aroma that brings back memories of family, food and fellowship within the home. He talks about the words that are used in the home - how they need to be encouraging, loving and tender. And he talks about the home being a safe place, one where children feel like they can be themselves, even if that isn't always perfect.

Wolgemuth probably says in the book a dozen times that he's "old school," and he is. He believes that the family ought to sit down for dinner together, he believes that electronic devices (TV, video games, etc) disrupt family conversation time and result in disconnected children, and he believes that the parents should view themselves as the "priests" of their home. I guess I would have to say that I'm "old school" as well and wish that more people would be!

Wolgemuth is also very honest about his own learning curve as a parent and gives numerous examples of where he blew it as a dad and a husband. The book is an excellent read - slows down a little in the final couple of chapters, but still one of the best books I've read on the importance of the home and the family...especially in our culture today!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book rich with motivating encouragement for the home, June 3, 2006

By 

A. Sargeant "HappyMommy" (Edmond, OK) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Most Important Place on Earth: What a Christian Home Looks Like and How to Build One (Hardcover)

I am only halfway through this book, not because it is a tough read, but because everytime I pick it up, I read something that calls me to get up and go do something. This book is so rich (the best word I can use to describe it). The author, Robert Wolgemuth, uses a very casual tone and talks about what works to build a Christian home in everyway. It really is motivating and it gives good reminders and habits to practice everyday. I would recommend this to new parents, old parents, and basically anyone who comes in contact with children who want to be of Christian influence. Wonderful! I will try to read it every year.