The Christian Husband (Hardcover)

by Bob Lepine (Author) "It's a good thing there was no interview..." (more)
Key Phrases: incarnational love, loving your wife, prophetic responsibilities, Mary Ann, God's Word, King Moe (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Join FamilyLife Today cohost Bob Lepine as he takes you deeper into what it means to be a truly Christlike husband. In these pages, you will find a clear explanation of the spiritual priorities for any godly husband, as well as practical pointers for making real-life changes. The Christian Husband is packed with advice and teachings from men like you who are seeking to follow the divine call of God to truly be a Christian husband by the Book. This is your chance to find out exactly what God expects from you according to biblical principles not cultural fads. Filled with application ideas as well as study questions at the end of each chapter, The Christian Husband is the perfect resource for you to use alone or in a small group.

About the Author
Bob Lepine is the co-host of the popular daily radio program "Family Life Today," a nationally syndicated radio program heard in more than 200 cities across the country. A frequent speaker at Family Life Marriage Conferences, he lives with his wife and five children in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 212 pages
• Publisher: Regal Books (January 30, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830736891
• ISBN-13: 978-0830736898
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #457,204 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Some strengths... but read something else instead, November 11, 2008

By	B. Knox (Denver, Colorado) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I'm generally not the kind of guy who does stuff with our church's men's ministry, but when they were starting small groups going through this book, I decided to engage the opportunity to learn from one another, encourage each other, etc. The book was promoted well, so I came in with an open mind. I wondered, "What might be unique about this book? Why did Bob Lepine choose to write this book - does it have anything to offer that can't be found in other 'be a godly husband' books? What's with the pretentious-sounding title?"

Let me start with the last question - the title. It struck me as arrogant that Lepine would call his book "The Christian Husband." Did he think his book was the husband book to end all husband books for Christians? Did he think it would really speak to men across a wide variety of cultures and times? After getting into the book's argument, I discovered that wasn't his intent. You see, here is Lepine's main idea, in three points:
--Ephesians 5 says husbands should love their wives as Christ loves the church.
--As John Calvin taught, the role God gave Christ is threefold - he is Prophet, Priest, and King.
--Therefore, husbands should take on the role of prophet, priest, and king for their wives.
In that sense, the title is appropriate - Lepine wants us to be husbands after the model of Christ. That also answers my other questions: Bringing the categories of systematic theology about God the Son to bear on a husband's role is an approach I had never heard before, and I'm guessing that's what Lepine believes he is uniquely offering with this book.

The trouble is... I think he's wrong.

I agree with points one and two - husbands should love their wives as Christ loves the church, and Jesus is the great Prophet, Priest, and King. However, point three does not follow. All believers are royal priests (1 Peter 2:9-10), and we are all given the same Spirit with which to speak prophetically into one another's lives. I do desire to be a prophet, priest, and leader for my wife... but I find nothing in the Bible that would persuade me to believe she should not also be a prophet and priest to me. (I believe she will also be a leader to me, but there are Christians who disagree on this point, so I will leave that alone in this space.)

As a result, I find the book wanting. Lepine also uses a few silly illustrations; he implicitly equates "biblical" views with his own views even when his views are cultural; he brings up viewpoints dissenting from his own without accurately refuting them; at times, his reactionary tone seems more concerned with attacking feminist ideology than building a practical picture of Christian marriage. In the small group I was a part of, the result was distraction in our conversations. It was encouraging to hear many men who were willing to dissent from the author's opinions rather than follow them blindly, but a book where we could have agreed with more of the material would have led to more constructive discussion.

There is a great redeeming exception to all this: "Part Three: The Task - How to Really Love Your Wife." This section of the book really is solid. It is the most directly dependent on the Bible, the most practical, the most challenging, and the section which sparked the most educational, stimulating, encouraging conversations in our small group. I am glad this is how we got to finish our many weeks of meeting together.

If I were to recommend a different book instead of this one, I would point you to Sacred Marriage, by Gary Thomas. That book would work well in a variety of settings - for individuals, couples, single-gender small groups, or couples small groups. It is thoughtful, practical, empowering, and encouraging. Like Lepine, Thomas does not reject the perspective that husbands are to be leaders in the home, but unlike Lepine, he does not load the marital relationship with unnecessary patriarchal baggage.

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is not Christianity Lite, July 11, 2007

By	G. Davison Jr. "GDJr" (Little Rock, AR) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is not a "lightweight" book. This book is not an attempt to make you "feel good" nor is it an attempt at some shortsighted pop psychology ploy about "love banks" and "love tanks". Thankfully, God has raised up men like Bob Lepine, whose first priority is to honor God--by obeying Him. That is what this book is all about: Biblical fidelity in the role of a Christian Husband.

This book is Bible-saturated and very approachable. The book is broke down into three sections: The Qualifications of a Christian Husband, The Model for Husbands--Jesus Christ, & The Task--How to Really Love Your Wife. In each of the sections Mr. Lepine tackles many of the task that we, as Christian Husbands, should be doing from a biblical perspective. I can't think of a more important book to read for any husband. As a newlywed husband myself, I have gleaned much from this book and wholeheartedly and enthusiastically commend The Christian Husband.

1.0 out of 5 stars If time is not of the essence., June 24, 2009

By	Oleg B. Maksimchuk (Philadelhia, PA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is pretty lame, only read half way through and started reading different book. This book starts out with how he was being interviewed for his first job at a radio station, and then through the chapters he still talks about it. I don't need to know how his first interview went, and if he got the job or not, in order for me to become a Christian husband that God has created me to be. Then he has this cheesy simple points that are common sense. Over all if you are having hard time falling a sleep this book is perfect with helping you to over come your insomnia. I suggest don't waste you time and money on this one, rather get a book from Dr. Myles Munroe - Understanding the Purpose and Power of Men.