With traditional family values in decline and under assault, how can parents convey Godly principles and morals amid competing messages? In The Fulfilled Family, John MacArthur, respected Bible teacher as well as experienced father and grandfather, takes a look at strategy for families as outlined in Ephesians 5 and 6.
What is MacArthur's secret to his successful family? "There's no magic. There's no formula. There's no gimmick," he says. "It's not about how many times we did something, or who was in charge of this or that, or what kind of processes or methods we used. It comes down to questions that have to start in my Am I committed to obedience to the Spirit of God? Am I committed to the controlling influences of the Word of God? Am I going to live out a Christian life? Because you must first answer yes to all of those questions before you have a successful family."
John F. MacArthur, Jr. was a United States Calvinistic evangelical writer and minister, noted for his radio program entitled Grace to You and as the editor of the Gold Medallion Book Award-winning MacArthur Study Bible. MacArthur was a fifth-generation pastor, a popular author and conference speaker, and served as pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California beginning in 1969, as well as President of The Master’s College (and the related Master’s Seminary) in Santa Clarita, California.
John MacArthur is by far the best expositor of the Bible of our generation and he does not disappoint with this book on God’s plan for the family as outlined in Ephesians 5 and 6. This is by no means an exhaustive study as the book is only 144 pages but it provides a handbook on how God not only views the family but his purpose for the husband, wife, and children. With traditional family values in decline and under assault, this book is free of gimmicks and pseudo counseling as it focuses on what really matters – where am I in my relationship to God? If this relationship is right and only if this relationship is right will our families be right.
MacArthur's book simply highlights Scripture portions under topical headings relating to the nuclear family and explains passages in further detail. Pretty straightforward. My drawbacks were where he diverges into clichés and accepted assumptions that I feel are preferential toward a more narrow interpretation of some Scriptures than my own. MacArthur does use so much Scripture and cross-referencing though, that I feel his main points are sound, though somewhat redundant if you are familiar with the passages.
Johnmy Mac's knowledge on the Bible is so insightful and applicable to all areas of life. This book is one for the shelf so you can go back time and time again for the little nuggets of truth on the family unit imparted throughout. I'm ready to start the Successful Christian Parenting book and study guide! Gleaning a lot of wisdom apart from the Bible itself.
My wife and I read this together at night. This isn't ground breaking but it is balanced and well written and certainly generated discussion. I appreciate his return to the basics when it comes to the family.