Raising a Modern Day Knight FROM THE PUBLISHER
What does it mean to be a man? Moreover, how does a father instill these qualities in his son? By Raising a Modern-Day Knight. Beginning with a biblical perspective of manhood, author-pastor Robert Lewis shares a unique approach to shaping a boy into a man by equipping him with three essential elements: a vision, a code of conduct, and a cause (Christianity) in which to invest his life. Complete with ceremony ideas to celebrate accomplishments and ingrain them in his mind, this softcover is as insightful as it is practical in raising a boy to be a chivalrous, godly man.
SYNOPSIS
What does it mean to be a man? Moreover, how does a father instill these qualities in his son? By Raising a Modern-Day Knight. Beginning with a biblical perspective of manhood, author-pastor Robert Lewis shares a unique approach to shaping a boy into a man by equipping him with three essential elements: a vision, a code of conduct, and a cause (Christianity) in which to invest his life. Complete with ceremony ideas to celebrate accomplishments and ingrain them in his mind, this softcover is as insightful as it is practical in raising a boy to be a chivalrous, godly man.
FROM THE CRITICS
VOYA - Richard Gercken
This book is for fathers who want to raise sons to be "real men." The basis is biblical: "As with all other significant issues in life, the Bible holds the key." Lewis believes that society lacks what he calls real men because masculinity has been eroded by the feminist movement. For him, the medieval knight had the best vision of manhood. Knights rejected passivity, accepted responsibility, believed in a transcendent cause, and lived by a code of conduct. They used ceremonies to mark life's milestones. The book abounds in undefined phrases: masculine responsibilities, manly roles, biblical truths, Christian basics. But Lewis eventually offers concrete recommendations: develop a written code of conduct, tie an allowance to chores, create a family crest, read aloud, be active in a local church. His solid knowledge of all the books of the Bible enable him to cite scriptural support for anything he advocates, though his own book often lacks the compassion of his Bible testaments. Even his heartbreaking account of his loneliness in the midst of his father's drinking is vitiated by judgementalism and condescension. Lewis ignores the fact that biblical warfare was rarely chivalrous, and his recommendations give only a token nod to Jesus's most common teaching tactic: responding to individual differences. This is a book for extrovert fathers who want to raise extrovert sons with physical prowess and agility. The jacket shows father/son hands joined on a sword. The lifeplan offered here ignores women, except as objects of male affection. Many parents and others working with youth are no doubt looking for a book with just this orientation. What I describe as limitations will be for them the strength of the book. But it fails even those for whom it is intended. The stylistic naivetﾽ, grammatical errors, clumsy transitions, and repetitiveness pose problems. The book needs more of the backbone it accuses our society of lacking. Illus. Photos. Source Notes.
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