The Family: A Christian Perspective on the Contemporary Home

Rating:
Summary: A "Christian" but not necessarily Biblical perspective
Review: I was hoping this book would be a thorough study of all the Bible passages related to family (marriage, parenting, fathers, mothers, discipline, etc.). The authors use a few passages to establish the general "Christian" themes of grace, forgiveness, respect, etc. They do not look at the many passages that specifically address how children should be taught, the role of the father, etc. They then analyze various cultural trends, sociological studies, perspectives, etc, from the viewpoint of these limited "Christian" themes. Their analysis is helpful, particularly in understanding the various social and cultural forces at work in modern America. However, their analysis is insufficient since many pertinent biblical texts are never addressed.

So yes, this is a valid "Christian" perspective since the authors are Christian and are able to assess from their personal view. But it's not really "Christ's" perspective on the family since they have omitted studying much of what God has already said about the family.

Rating:
Summary: Great resource book for Christians and churches!
Review: The Balswick provide an excellent basis for understanding the family from a Christain context. They deal with theological and psychological issues in a language that is easy to understand and informative to people with various levels of training. They deal with a broad range of topics in a sensative, yet intelligent manner. This book is a must for every church library!

Rating:
Summary: Great resource book for Christians and churches!
Review: The biblical model for family relationships proposed by the authors provides an easy to understand framework to explore family problems of today. The basic concepts of covenant love, forgiving grace, empowering service and intimate knowledge, which comprise this model, constitute a major advance in the formulation of a theology of family relationships.

Rating:
Summary: Fine Theological Model for Family Relationships
Review: The biblical model for family relationships proposed by the authors provides an easy to understand framework to explore family problems of today. The basic concepts of covenant love, forgiving grace, empowering service and intimate knowledge, which comprise this model, constitute a major advance in the formulation of a theology of family relationships.

Rating:
Summary: A pleasant surprise!
Review: When a colleague recommended this book to me, I did not have high hopes: I was afraid it would be another "conservative" diatribe full of "thou shalt nots," lacking depth both theologically and psychologically. How happily surprised I was when I read it!

Jack and Judith Balswick combine academic backgrounds in sociology and psychology with demonstrated knowledge and ability as Christian counselors. Rather than being a negative, prohibitive book, this is a positive, life- and love-affirming work, meant to guide individuals and families toward God's will for them -- not beat them into submission.

The book presents an abundance of academic and clinical research, but it is presented so skillfully and unobtrusively that the average lay reader will not be put off by it. Even difficult topics (such as masturbation, homosexuality, and divorce/remarriage) are presented in a sensitive manner, resisting the temptation to fall into an authoritarian tone, and encourage the reader to prayerful reflection. Quite [pleasantly] surprising!

I highly recommend this book; most especially, I recommend it to all clergy and lay counselors.

Rating:
Summary: A pleasant surprise!
Review: When a colleague recommended this book to me, I did not have high hopes: I was afraid it would be another "conservative" diatribe full of "thou shalt nots," lacking depth both theologically and psychologically. How happily surprised I was when I read it!

Jack and Judith Balswick combine academic backgrounds in sociology and psychology with demonstrated knowledge and ability as Christian counselors. Rather than being a negative, prohibitive book, this is a positive, life- and love-affirming work, meant to guide individuals and families toward God's will for them -- not beat them into submission.

The book presents an abundance of academic and clinical research, but it is presented so skillfully and unobtrusively that the average lay reader will not be put off by it. Even difficult topics (such as masturbation, homosexuality, and divorce/remarriage) are presented in a sensitive manner, resisting the temptation to fall into an authoritarian tone, and encourage the reader to prayerful reflection. Quite [pleasantly] surprising!

I highly recommend this book; most especially, I recommend it to all clergy and lay counselors.