The Fatherhood Principle: God's Design and Destiny for Every Man

by Myles Munroe

The inherent purpose of all men is fatherhood. Whether a man is married or single, and whether or not he has children, he is designed by God to fulfill the role of father in the lives of those around him. It is his calling to reflect the creative and cultivating nature of God.
This book provides key principles and insights that will teach you how to be a father in your personal sphere of influence. In clear and compelling terms, Dr. Munroe explains how a man can become source, nourisher, sustainer, protector, teacher, discipler, leader, head, caring one, and developer. The Fatherhood Principle provides practical guidelines for fulfilling your God-given fatherhood role by showing you… 
How to be the foundation of your family
How to be strong even in the storms of life
How to meet the needs of women
How to develop the potential and gifts of children
How to find your life’s vision
Five vital purposes of the male
 Discover God’s original blueprint for men and step into your true purpose in life.

190 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2008

Reviews

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're a Christian, or are willing to become one, this book lays out a strong and principled approach to being a man and a father in the contemporary world. For this author, man and father are synonymous terms, regardless of whether one has had actual biological offspring, since a man's role and purpose in the world is to act as a "father" to others who need dependable and unselfish guidance and support.

Munroe's views are based on the Bible, which he takes seriously and literally. And if you're willing to accept all Bible stories, especially that of Adam and Eve, as literally true, then his arguments are strong and well formed. You can even say the same about his views on homosexuality, for which he became notorious in his native Bahamas (he died in a plane crash in 2014), for in the Bible God's position on homosexuality is as clear as can be.

The big question is whether one who is not a Christian, or not a Christian who takes every Bible story literally, can still benefit from Dr. Munroe's vision of fatherhood. I like to think yes. My own experience is that genuinely spiritual people, of whatever stripe, are a positive force in the world. Here Dr. Munroe tells men, especially young men who may feel confused and aimless, how to gain a sense of purpose and meaning in life, and thereby become the rock that others can lean on or stand on for support. Feminists would no doubt howl with execration at his ideas about men being the heads of their households, but I suspect that many women would be happy to marry a man who was principled, ethical, and dedicated to the welfare of his family. Munroe's vision of man as the head of the household is that he leads by example and does his best to help everyone in his care to realize their potential.

But for such a man to be entirely credible he does need to have a strong spiritual grounding, and in Munroe's view this means being thoroughly versed in the teachings of the Bible. For the real question is what one does when the going gets tough. The godly man has the Bible and his church as his supports; what does the secular man or the non-Christian man lean on? I think that men from other spiritual traditions, such as, say, Buddhism (where I've had my own spiritual training, such as it is), can probably take valuable advice from Munroe's book, even though Munroe himself is dismissive of other spiritual traditions. If you believe there is such a thing as masculinity and masculine virtues, then it makes sense to apply these notions to that most defining of male functions: fatherhood. If you can ground those virtues in spirituality, then you're on your way.

[Nathan Winkler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Myles Munroe writes on the importance of Fatherhood, the roles and purposes of every male, why the male is the sole foundation and anchor of the health and wellness of families, and therefore the same of society as a whole.

This book is a keeper, one I plan on rereading, noting, referring to, meditating on. This is a classic leadership book for all males, calling males to become fathers and fulfill our God give purpose in the lives of our wife, children and communities

[Fred · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have so many negative things to say about this book that I rather not.....

[Ivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well narrated points on the (why/ how to) role of men in strengthening the family and society.

[Olubunmi Adewumi]

I will definitely give this book a second reading. Every man and woman across the globe should read this book. It is really mind-blowing and thought-provoking.