Being Dad: Father as a Picture of God's Grace

I received this book as a Christmas gift from my only son, Jonah, a freshman at Concordia University Irvine. It was accompanied by a card expressing gratitude for the example I had set for him. “The good, bad, and ugly, I’ve seen it all,” is how he put it. Ugly? Yes. That’s how I knew this was a legit Christmas card. He was keeping it real, so I knew he was talking about me—this was no “Hallmark” greeting card. That’s why I finished reading the book before vacation ended. This was no “gift book,” meant to fill a hollow on my book shelf. And because I also heard an mp3 of Dr. Keith talking about the book, I was further motivated. While on our anniversary getaway a few days ago, my wife finished a book she was reading, and took up this book. We read the Epilogues to each other (“Why Daughters Need Fathers” and “Why Sons Need Fathers”.) Needless to say, I got "dust in my eye" more than once. I will say to fellow dads to stay with the book; it took a while to warm up. Also, I really enjoyed the chapter entitled “Stories of and by Fathers.” Overall, I felt affirmed and encouraged by this book. And lastly, here's a thought-provoking quote from the book: “When we as a society lose the idea of the man as the head of the house, we also lose the idea of what it means to be a good husband and father.” (75)

The author clearly states, almost redundantly, that Fathers are to be faithful in sharing the gospel of grace and mercy to our children. But, it was frustrating to read over and over again how the dad was the hero of the story, and the mom was presented as the sidekick. (Or worse, the enemy the children needed saving from). I think the author intended to present a Complementarian view of marriage and parenting, but he leans much more Patriarchal. In one of the stories shared about a dad coming in to save the kid from his mom asking to take money out of his own account for his expenses, the dad pays out of his own pocket. He says, “not to sat that my mum is a bitch…” that was wildly inappropriate and unnecessary. At another points, the author tries to explain the role of the farther in the home as the head and the hero, and though he tries to backtrack himself in parentheses (saying that the role of the mother is just as important) he fails to clearly show the importance of a mother. This book does a good job of describing the importance of a father, but fails in incredible ways to elevate the importance, dignity, and beauty of the shared role of the mother! I am thankful for the Theological insight of this book, not disappointed with its unbalanced view of parenting.

An easy one sitting read. It is a good book for the Dad that wants to better understand God's plan for Grace to His people and how Dads demonstrate and deliver grace to loved ones. A quality and theologically sound book that can easily be recommended to a Christian dad. Understand grace for yourself and how to demonstrate it to others you love.

Keith's book could be summed up like this: The Gospel is real, so why wouldn't you try to model your fatherhood after it? Keith does a great job of easing you into the (countercultural) idea that dads are not primarily the disciplinarian of the house, but are the image of God ala Genesis 2 - meaning, that just as you see the relationship of husband and wife mirroring the relationship of Christ and the Church in Ephesians, you should see the relationship of God and the individual mirrored in the relationship of dad and kid. Probably the best thing in the whole book, with apologies to Keith who sets the whole thing up, is the end of the book where you find real world stories of dads and kids - and how powerful the Gospel has been in those relationships.

What exactly has the effect of this book been on me? Has it caused to consider a theology of Fatherhood and manhood from the outside looking in? Has it reminded me of the joy of being a father? Has it reminded me of the joy of my own father, and that Good Father above who sent His son?Yes. And Yes. And Yes!Read. Mark. Digest. Grab hold of your wife and children. Give dad a call. Tell another father what a great job that he is doing. Call upon God your Father.And, if you want a special treat, purchase the audio version of this book. Craig Beck's phenomenal recording will make this book sing to you all the more.

This book far exceeded my expectations. Do you have a dad that is amazing? Do you have a dad that was never there? Have you seen good dad's and bad dad's? This book helps to explain our longing for our good Heavenly Father, and how dad's are a weak shadow of Him, but how they all point to our Heavenly Father. This book has been very practical and therapeutic in the approach to allowing me to see the good and bad in how I am as a dad, and also helped me to create magic and specialness with my wife and kids

The best book I've read on the subject. Dr. Keith approaches it from a very different direction than you might expect. This is not a how-to manual. Instead of approaching it directly, you are allowed to infer from a storytelling style of writing what it means to be a good dad, and possibly reconsider redefining what it is you mean exactly when you say "good dad." I happily and strongly recommend this book , and to more than just dads. This is a book I think anyone could enjoy and would benefit from reading.

Excellent read for any father looking for guidance in their vocation as father using God's Word. We are but a pale reflection of God's Love but a reflection none-the-less. This book helped answer some of those situational questions I struggled with from my own childhood and how I should deal with those situations as I become a father myself. Providing the perpetual cycle of freedom and forgiveness is what our Father has done for us and I want to be that to my child. Thank you Scott!

Very powerful book that should be read by fathers everywhere at some point in their life. The audiobook version is very handy to keep in the car - worth listening to a few times a year to keep you on track

Very good book - and relevant to most of those days' absent fathers.