6 Rules Every Man Must Break (Hardcover)

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Key Phrases: spiritual police, Old Testament, New Testament, Sea of Galilee (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Bill Perkins combines the spiritual depth of a Dallas Willard with the light-hearted writing style of a Dave Barry. This book is a joy to read—and a challenge to live.”--David Murrow, author of Why Men Hate Going to Church

“If you’re into ‘nice’ religious books, don’t read this one. But if you want to be challenged, like to laugh, and want to know what God desires from real men, this is your book.”--Steve Brown, author of What Was I Thinking? Things I’ve Learned Since I Knew It All; Bible teacher, Key Life nationally syndicated radio program

Product Description

With startling frankness, Bill Perkins offers life-changing wisdom to help men find true freedom in Christ. Perkins shatters six man-made rules that sound good on the outside, but often keep men from reaching their full potential. He shows how breaking these taboos can help you break free to become the man that God created you to be.

• The Rule of Passivity: Never Get In a Fight
• The Rule of Playing it Safe: Never Risk It All
• The Rule of Perseverance: Never Give Up
• The Rule of Independence: Never Ask For Help
• The Rule of Restraint: Never Lose Your Cool
• The Rule of Impressing Others: Never Look Stupid

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.; First Edition edition (March 6, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1414311400
• ISBN-13: 978-1414311401
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #379,372 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars If you can't say "Amen" you oughta say "ouch"!, March 27, 2007

By	John K. Homrighausen "Son of Thunder" (Houston, TX) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Perkins does it again. I think the six rules can be broken into two groups, those that contradict our nature (don't get in a fight, don't risk it all, and don't lose your cool) and those that we naturally supress (don't give up, don't ask for help and don't look stupid.) I think there are very few men who can boil down the problems we face as Christian men the way Bill Perkins can and I highly suggest you add this book to your collection. Bill's other talent is writing books men will actually read! I think he has a scientific equation that tells him the exact amount of words that men will read without zoning out. You need this book. Thanks for writing another winner Bill.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not a Men-Specific Book, August 19, 2009

By	P. DeBusschere (Marietta, GA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I bought this book hoping to use it as a short study for a men's group. However, after reading through the first four chapters, I realized that nothing Perkins says in the book really pertains specifically to men, and nothing in the book would be appealing to unchurched men or marginal/new believers.

For whatever reason, Perkins misses the boat entirely with this book. While the packaging and title are very appealing, the contents failed to deliver a man-specific message with broad appeal. Inevitably, Perkins takes a left turn in each chapter as he ends up addressing issues which, although relevant to people who have been Christians for quite some time, invariably fail to connect with the chapter's prescribed topic.

For example, in Chapter One, "The Rule of Passivity - Never Get in a Fight," Perkins winds up talking about fighting legalism. While I agree legalism is a bad thing, it seems to me Mr. Perkins could have addressed a much more broadly relevant theme, such as fighting against societal norms that pressure men into destructive and self defeating behavior. Sure, legalism is something Christians should fight against, but it is neither specific to men, nor is it broadly relevant to men as a whole.

Chapter Two, "The Rule of Playing It Safe - Never Risk It All," again falls short as Perkins redundantly talks about legalism. Although he tries, Perkins fails to connect the chapter's topic convincingly to his diatribe against legalism. I would have expected the chapter to explore the risk of following Christ in such a way that one goes against the expectations of society and family to fulfill God's design for the individual. But, no, Perkins just blabs on about legalism.

Chapter Three, "The Rule of Perseverence - Never Give Up." Perkins talks about abiding in Christ. Great stuff for Christians, but again, not man specific and limited in appeal only to Christians.

Chapter Four, "The Rule of Independence - Never Ask for Help." Perkins takes a weird leap and talks about how we need to depend on God to give us a heart for the lost. Although I agree with the concept, again, Perkins seems way off topic.

That's all I've read so far. Although I don't disagree with what Perkins says in each chapter, I still have to say the book just doesn't resonate and seems to have been mistitled and mismarketed. Overall, this book would only appeal to Christians who are looking to examine church-centric issues. I think it fails where it could have succeeded spectacularly.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Are you secretly a miserable Christian man and can't quite figure out why?, April 14, 2008

By	Jethro Caspers (Elsewhere in America) - See all my reviews

This book will help. Being a Christian doesn't mean being a passive little sissy-mary. In fact, it's just the opposite.

There are God's perfect rules, and then there are the ways the Christian community twists them into something oppressive. The explanations and anecdotes in this book will help you develop a keen acumen to to distinguish between the two.

Perkins' books and ministry is a good companion to John Eldrige books and "No More Christian Nice Guy" by Paul Coughlin. These powerful mens ministries have got it right.