The Politics of Blame

— Lennox Kalifungwa

The audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

There is a sense in which complaint is the resignation and abdication of responsibility. This unqualified assertion will likely prompt the retort that affliction and pestilence are commonplace, and that people should be free to express their discomfort without fear of moral shaming.

Yet this expected retort ought to earn the response that trouble neither nullifies nor exempts a person from responsibility; in fact, it provides an opportunity for duty to be constructively exercised and applied.

To begin an article with such philosophical dialogue may not be ideal in some books, and yet it is necessary to confront the unfortunate spectacle that has been enshrined in the dogma of this modern world.

We live in a world that not only promotes, normalises, and celebrates irresponsibility but has effectively politicised and institutionalised it.

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Family Overreach in Marriage

–– Joe Shoko

The audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

Ubuntuism is a good thing. What makes it unique is the emphasis on communal living. Not too long ago, African communities were distinctly community-oriented. It was as if Acts 2:42-47 was being re-enacted, but without Christ as the focal point. Whenever someone was sick, they didn’t run out of aunties, uncles, brothers and sisters to lend a helping hand. 

In such times, high yard walls were still very much a vague, futuristic half–baked concept and the only thing that separated you and your ‘neighbour’ was the closed doors and windows at night. This was the ideal scenario, until it was time for prospective couples to wed. 

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Black Tax: How Christians Should Care for their Ageing Parents (Part 2)

–– Paul Schlehlein

The audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

In a now-deleted Tiktok rant, Elsa Majimbo roared to one of her parents: “I was born, I was raised, I grew up, now you’re asking me for money – you lazy [expletive]. I’m not feeding your habits.”

This is how some African adults feel today. They rage at the thought of supporting their parents, especially if it’s a delinquent Dad or Mom. 

What should be the realistic expectations for adult children in caring for their parents? This is a common conundrum in Africa, where fathers and mothers often insist that their children finance them until death. But it’s not only about money. How should children interact with their parents’ transgressions?

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Black Tax: How Christians Should Care for their Aging Parents (Part I)

–– Paul Schlehlein

The audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

These days, many Africans are feeling the pressure of the “black tax”, a colloquial term referring to the obligation of children to provide for their parents on a continual basis. 

Poverty in Africa adds to the anxiety but sometimes wealth only makes the black tax worse. Some even call it an epidemic. The layers of difficulty are many, especially with first-generation Christians who feel torn about how to help unbelieving relatives, some of whom face financial difficulties of their own making. 

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How Much Counsel Should I Seek From Unsaved Parents?

Listen to the podcast discussion on this topic here: Spotify — Apple Podcasts — Youtube

Dear Joseph:

In just a few days you’ll turn the corner and find a “W”, “W” meaning both a wedding and a win. They’re equal, are they not? Scripture calls marriage a victory for both the man and the woman, a win for the man because now a helper stands beside him and a crown rests upon him. It’s a win for the woman because in front of her marches a protector, leader and provider. 

You’ve heard about the honeymoon stage of marriage, that section of time when your beloved can do no wrong. In this stage, even her burnt casserole tastes finger-licking good. But in time you’ll discover that marriage takes work, because love is a choice and you’ll not be able to coast through marriage on romantic feelings. Many marriages end in divorce because the feelings end. They forgot that the covenant of marriage is an objective choice, not a subjective feeling. 

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Five Ways to Teach Your Children

What parent doesn’t want a great education for his or her child? All fathers and mothers desire to see their sons and daughters grow in knowledge and wisdom.

Second Timothy 3:15 is a short verse of only 20 words, yet it brims with truth about teaching children. Paul writes to Timothy, his son “in the faith”, and gives five ways parents must teach their children.

And how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ.

This brief verse answers five questions. When should we teach our children? What should we teach our children? How should we teach our children? Why should we teach our children? Who should teach our children?

Teach them when they are small

Children often bother adults. We murder them in the womb because they’re too expensive. The modern family is smaller than yesteryear because children apparently take too much work. Continue reading

How to Teach Your Children Excellence

Listen to the podcast discussion on this topic here: SpotifyApple PodcastsYoutube

Wolfgang Mozart was an Austrian composer who lived in the 18th century. In his short life, he composed over 800 works. When a boy, he was considered a child prodigy, a young man with unusual and exceptional skill. In 1763, when Mozart was seven years old, King Louis XV asked him to play the organ. The time was set for the next day but the king could not wait. Everyone followed the king as he marched to the Royal Chapel to hear the Mozart play. The king was astounded by the beautiful music that came from the young boy.

Though Mozart was not a Christian, he still reflected the truth of Proverbs 22:29. “Do you see a man skilful in his work, he will stand before kings, he will not stand before obscure men.”

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How to Teach Your Children Gratitude

Listen to our podcast discussion here: Youtube – Spotify – Apple Podcasts

Puritan William Secker said: “He enjoys much who is thankful for little.” If parents want their children to be happy, they must teach them to be thankful for even the smallest items. “Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father…” (Eph. 5:20)

Consider the following six ways a parent can teach their children gratitude. 

Guard Your Children from the Victim Mentality

The victim mindset teaches people it is okay to be bitter with the world due to the ways they’ve suffered. The life of Samuel Ajay Crowther illustrates the success one can have when one rejects this worldly mentality. 

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The Breakdown of the Family in Africa: A Christian Perspective on Migration, Marriage, and Parenting 

–– Jonathan Klimek

The audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

The African continent is grappling with a significant challenge: the breakdown of the family unit. Economic necessity is a key driver of this issue, which compels many individuals to leave their home countries in search of work, particularly in South Africa, now a major destination for migrant workers. Although the financial support sent back home offers some relief, the long-term absence of parents and spouses creates deep and lasting fractures within families. This article explores the roots of this crisis, its devastating consequences, and how the Bible can inform our response.

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How Do I Interact With My Absent Parent?

Dear Tabitha,

I’m happy to see you growing into a godly young lady. You’ve overcome long odds having been raised in such a troublesome home.

Most children follow in the footsteps of their parents, whether they plan to or not. The kings of Israel epitomize this. Yet, here you are, growing like a weed spiritually and drinking God’s Word from a firehose—two peas in a pod—and here I am mixing three metaphors in one sentence and confusing you altogether.

You asked me recently about how to interact with your absent mother. While you’ve never known your father, your mom has always been “there” (kind of), which makes her absence all the more painful. Apparently, she never cared much for investing in you as a girl but instead focused only on herself. Now that you’re out of the house with a university degree and marriage prospects, all of a sudden she wants back into your life. Continue reading

Good Theology Builds Economies: God’s Blueprint for Societal Flourishing

–– Lennox Kalifungwa

The audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

The world has grown accustomed to economic turmoil. Despite the veneer of progress, inflation, high taxation, currency instability, unemployment, debt, and dependency have become entrenched as normal. Numerous efforts to mitigate these economic challenges through policy, democracy, government intervention, aid, debt restructuring, and wealth redistribution have yielded persistent issues with incremental devastation. 

An economy mirrors the values and beliefs of a culture or society. At the core of every economy lies a belief system that is fundamentally theological. Everyone lives based on their beliefs about God, which influence their thoughts, emotions, and actions. As beings designed to be governed by what they worship, humans live every aspect of their lives within theological frameworks, whether they recognise it or not. Theology is inescapable, shaping the lenses through which we perceive the world. 

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Africa’s Absent Fathers: Working Away from Home and Family

–– Warrick Jubber

Audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

Among Africa’s many problems, one of its greatest is the absence of fathers from the home. The Human Sciences Research Council reports that in South Africa, over 60% of children do not reside with their biological fathers, with only 20% seeing their biological father bi-weekly. 

The importance of a father’s role in the family and especially the development of children has been the subject of extensive global research. The National Fatherhood Initiative reported that children living in father-absent homes are almost four times more likely to be poor and twice as likely to drop out of school. Children raised without the influence of a father are also reported to face significantly higher probabilities of being abused or indulging in crime, drug and alcohol abuse, and sexual promiscuity. 

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How Early Should Parents Start Teaching Their Children?

–– Paul Schlehlein

Listen to our discussion about training children here: YoutubeSpotifyApple Podcasts

“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” – Proverbs 22:6 

Proverbs 22:6 has two main points: a command and a consequence. The command comes first because if we obey it, we’ll reap good consequences. If we disobey, the consequences are awful. 

The Command to Train Your Child

Here is Solomon’s command: “Train up a child in the way he should go.” He’s talking to educators and teachers, mostly parents. This is somewhat unique because Proverbs is not directed to parents. Primarily, it is written to youth. Proverbs 1:4 states that the purpose of the book is “to give…knowledge and discretion to youth.” Young people naturally struggle to make wise decisions, so God gave the book of Proverbs to help them. 

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Should Christians Have More Kids?

–– Paul Schlehlein

Audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

Galatians 6:7 teaches an important principle: you will always harvest what you plant. This concept is especially pertinent regarding the falling birth rates worldwide, including in Africa. 

When a society ignores God’s directive to be fruitful and multiply, its death rate will surpass its fertility rate and that nation will begin to die. For example, researchers estimate that the population of Japan–currently at 125 million–will more than halve to 53 million by the end of the century. Russia, Ukraine, and Italy face a similar problem. These nations thought they were smarter than God and now they are reaping the consequences. 

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Biblical Counsel on Marital Engagement | Part 1

Podcast edition here:  YouTubeApple Podcasts, or Spotify.

By the time Maria Dyer agreed to marry Hudson Taylor, two other ladies had already rejected his marriage proposals.

The soon-to-be-great missionary had recently arrived in China when he fell in love with the squinty-eyed Maria. She was young and her parents were dead. A group of English missionaries—one of whom was an old maid—had watch care over her.

When word got out of his letter proposing marriage to Maria, they were disgusted. “The nerve…!” Maria was a lady. Taylor was a young, poor, unconnected Nobody. She was proper. He was no gentleman, without a sufficient education and without position. She was tall. He was short, a “ranter”, a Plymouth Brethren. Worst all, he wore Chinese clothes and a long pigtail like his Asian neighbours. Marriage? Maria’s guardians wanted Taylor horse-whipped.

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Seven Ways A Husband Should Protect His Wife

–– Paul Schlehlein

Podcast edition: Youtube – Spotify – Apple Podcasts

One of the central roles to which God calls men is to protect women.

Husbands and fathers should protect their families spiritually. God told “the man” not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil” (Gn. 3:17) but he failed to protect his wife from the serpent who induced her to sin (Gn. 3:6). This is why the Adam was ultimately responsible for Eve’s sin (Rm. 5:20).

Husbands and fathers should their families physically and emotionally. Men should be willing to die for their wives, not the other way around. Christ laid down his life for his bride (Eph. 5:25), similar to how husbands should give up themselves for their wives.

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Dos and Don’ts: Fathers, Sons and Talking about Sex

Podcast edition: Youtube – Spotify – Apple Podcasts

Normal Rockwell’s famous painting of a father talking to his son about the birds and the bees represents the way most men feel regarding talking about sex. In the painting, the son is embarrassed out of his mind. The father, while trying to be diplomatic and scientific, feels awkward and inadequate. The picture makes us cringe. 

But it doesn’t have to be this way. Solomon lived thousands of years before Rockwell. He taught his sons about sex with such skill and warmth that his words are still being read today. 

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Hope for Single Moms

– Paul Schlehlein

Podcast edition: YoutubeSpotifyApple Podcasts

As the family goes, so goes society. As the father goes, so goes the family. God made fathers the leaders of the home. They lead, provide and protect.

God chose Abraham, not his wife Sarah, to command his children to obey the Bible and do right (Gn. 18:19). The Psalmist urges fathers not to hide the truth from their children (Ps. 78:3-6). Ephesians 6:4 implores fathers to teach their children early and often.

So what are mothers to do when they have children but no father at home? This is not unusual. Almost a quarter of children under the age of 18 in the US live with one parent. Nearly a third of women in Sub-Sahara Africa between the ages of 18-60 are single with children in the household. 

Maybe her husband died, or took off, or is gone all the time for work? What hope do single mothers have that their children will end up godly? Where can they go for confidence that their children can thrive in adulthood?

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The Battle for Bible-Based Education

–– Gideon Mpeni

Listen and subscribe: Youtube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

Parental authority in training and bringing up their children has faced attacks in most parts of the Western world, yet we are now beginning to see this tidal wave on the family hitting the shores of Africa. The recent developments in Sub-Saharan Africa, rise from the famously named ‘mother city’, Cape Town, South Africa. 

On the 26th of September, the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education in the South African Parliament  adopted the Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill, otherwise known as the BELA Bill, in which parents can face 12-month jail sentences if their children of school age are not enrolled. This bill also introduces a ban on corporal punishment. These are not mere attempts to cater for the well-being of the children but rather rules aimed at controlling the parents and stripping them of their God-given responsibilities.

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The Greatest Defense Against Poverty

–– Paul Schlehlein

Listen and subscribe: Youtube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

Is there a correlation between broken homes and poverty? Do the two go hand in hand? Can the strengthening of the home decrease poverty in a society? The answer to all of these questions is yes.

In 2014, the Institute for Family Studies ranked countries by how likely children are to live with two parents, from 94 percent of children in Jordan to just 36 percent in South Africa. None of the top 20 countries with the highest percentages of two parent homes are found in the top 50 of nations with the highest percentage of their population below the poverty line. In other words, it is nealry impossible to find poor countries with a high percentage of two-parent homes.

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Review: Masculine Christianity

Zachary Garris, Reformation Zion Publishing, 312 pages, 5 of 5 stars

I purchased this book on a whim. I was buying It’s Good to Be A Man on Amazon when I noticed Masculine Christianity. It’s by an author I’d not heard of and by a publisher I’d not heard of.

I first listened to the book on audio while driving with my wife and eight children through the U.S. Then I bought the paperback and read it through again. With skill and clarity, Garris confirmed most of my biblical convictions. I learned a whole lot too. See my full 16-page summary HERE.

Overview

Garris shows from Scripture that husbands hold authority over their wives. He argues that only men should preach and be pastors. Men only should act as soldiers and civil leaders. He contends that “patriarchy” is a better and more biblical word than “complementarianism”, the latter term built on shaky ground and since lost its way. Continue reading

MM 57: How Can I Make My Parents Happy?

Feel free to listen and subscribe on Spotify and Apple Podcasts as well. 

Paul

First a story. I’ve always been close with my own father and growing up he was my best friend. I even considered making him the best man in my wedding. I don’t get to see him too often these days. As a missionary, I’ve left my homeland, which has meant leaving my family, so I only get to see him about every four years or so. Our family returned to the US in 2019 and we just finished our latest furlough here in 2023. It was so great to see my family, especially my father. He drove with me to the airport to drop us off, and I was laughing so hard that I was wiping away the tears and feared I might get in an accident. Among my favorite things in life…laughing with my Dad.

This time with my father has made me reflect upon Proverbs 10:1. “A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother.” Even though I am an adult and have children of my own, I still want to please my father. I do not want to bring tears to my mother. I thought it would be a good idea today to unpack this verse and give some practical ways we can obey it.

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TARIF: Choosing Between an iPhone 15 and Your Family

The Africa Review in Five highlights African current affairs from a Christian perspective. Listen and subscribe through Youtube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

Today is Tuesday, October 3rd, A.D. 2023. This is The Africa Review in Five, written by Yamikani Katunga and presented by Paul Schlehlein

Choosing Between an iPhone 15 and Your Family

In our world of ever-developing devices and novel announcements, this time of the year has come to be coined as ‘Tech-tember and Tech-tober.’ Annually in September the biggest and most successful company in the world, Apple Inc.–which has surpassed a market cap of $3 Trillion– attracts global attention with the fanfare that covers the release of their latest phone. 

With the hype bubbling around the brand-new iPhone 15, MyBroadband, a top African blog, reported the cost in terms of the average worker’s salary. According to their research, a South African employee must save 27 days’ pay to afford the lowest-priced iPhone 15. With South Africa being the third-highest peak of the African economy in terms of GDP, one can only imagine comparative challenges in countries like Malawi, Zambia, and Senegal which are less than a tenth of the size of South Africa’s economy.

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A Practical Way to Pray for Your Kids

Every Christian parent knows they should pray for their kids. Job prayed for his children, even in their adulthood. He would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings on their behalf (Job 1:5). But prayer for children is easier said than done.

A parent’s prayers may fall into several ruts. There’s the Vague Ditch (“Lord, bless Johnny”), the Redundant Ditch (“Lord, help Johnny”), the Trivial Ditch, (“Lord, be with Johnny”), and the Carnal Ditch (“Lord, give Johnny good grades”).

There’s a place for all of these prayers, for sure, just as there’s a place for dessert. But you can’t live on dessert. Dessert prayers shouldn’t dominate your intercession for children any more than ice cream should dominate your dinner.

If the prayers for your children lack meat and potatoes vitality, here’s a practical solution. Choose a theme verse for each child, then pray that verse over them all year long.

Examples

Fathers should consider following this exercise each year. This is a big part of being a leader in the home. Dad must shepherd the heart of his children. He plans ahead. He has forethought. He knows his little lambs. “Know well the condition of your flocks”, Solomon says (Pr. 27:23).

Find a verse that touches an important need. For example, suppose your son is nearing conversion. In his battle with sin he cannot determine if he’s a Christian. Consider choosing as his theme verse 2 Corinthians 13:5. “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves.” Continue reading

3 Hinderances to God-honouring Family Life within Black South African Families

8E300912-6B73-4671-9AE1-03345C08F407_1_201_aFor the past 17 years I have lived with the Tsonga speaking people in Limpopo, South Africa.

Tsongas comprise our church body. I preach in the Tsonga language each Sunday. Our Christian School teaches mostly Tsongas, along with a few Vendas and Zulus. All eight of our children have been born in South Africa. I lived with the chief’s family for two years as I hauled my drinking water. I learned the language the old fashioned way. I have preached countless sermons in the neighboring villages and cities of Mozambique, Botswana, and Zimbabwe. I love the people I live among.

This background gives me at least some authority to answer questions about challenges in the black African home. I recognize that not all black Africans are the same. There are many differences between the Zulus and Sothos in South Africa and even more so between the Hausa in West Africa and the Bemba in Zambia.

A Kenyan friend, professor and pastor asked me a question the other day. With a broad brush, here’s how I would answer his question: “What are the hinderances to God-honouring family life within black South African families?” Continue reading

Are Husbands Commanded to Lead Family Worship?

The podcast episode associated with this blog post can be found above, or on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

John Paton still talked about Family Worship later in life. Looking back he said: 

“None of us can remember that any day ever passed unhallowed thus; no hurry for market, no rush to business, no arrival of friends or guests, no trouble or sorrow, no joy or excitement, ever prevented at least our kneeling around the family altar, while the High Priest led our prayers to God and offered himself and his children there.” (p. 14)

Aniwa, John Paton explains how new converts were expected to perform family worship every morning and evening. Initially, the gatherings were quite awkward. John Paton writes: “Doubtless the prayers [of the natives] were often very queer, and mixed up with many remaining superstitions; but they were prayers to the great Jehovah, the compassionate Father, the Invisible One—no longer to gods of stone!” (p. 356, Auto)

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5 Ways to Encourage Your Kids to Serve

We have eight children 14 years old and under.

Over the years, a number of people have remarked to me and my wife that our children are unusually interested in helping others. 

If a lady is carrying a heavy bag, they often run to carry it for her. If a man is changing a tire, they walk over (unsolicited) to hand him the tools. If congregants need song sheets, they rush to assist. When the meal is over, they’re pretty good about clearing the table quickly and washing the dishes so the adults can talk.

“Show us the secret,” they say. The secret is really no secret at all. You can find the answers in the Bible. We believe in the sufficiency of Scripture. The Bible is all we need. This doesn’t mean that Scripture will teach us how to remove stitches or win at horse shoes or pass the chemistry exam. It’s not sufficient in that way. The Bible is sufficient for faith and practice. This means that the Bible teaches us, either directly or indirectly, everything we need to know about salvation and sanctification.

In other words, if you want to know how to draw blood, you go to nursing school. But if you want to know how to live a good life, you go to the Bible. This includes teaching your kids how to serve others.

Here are five tips.

1. Show them serving is Christian

Serving others is to Christianity what ivy is to the outfield wall at Wrigley Field. When you look at Christians, you’re really looking at servants. The word “servant” is found well over 250 times in the New Testament. Paul had a hard time introducing himself without calling himself a doulos. “Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus…” (Rm. 1:1).

This is totally foreign to our narcissistic world. Some years ago, Tim Tebow said that the girl of his dreams would have a “servant’s heart”. Though this is standard Christian parlance, much of the media lost their minds. The wife, servile? Yes, and not just the wife but the husband and all the kids too, all in an effort to serve just like Jesus. The Master said: “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many (Mt. 20:28). Continue reading

Review: Boyhood and Beyond

Bob Schultz, Great Expectations Book Co., 2004, 217 pages, 4 of 5 stars

Jane Austin wrote that surprises are foolish things. The pleasure is not enhanced, and the inconvenience is often considerable.

Even more surprising than quoting Emma in a review on masculinity is the shock I received after reading Bob Schultz’s book on raising boys. He’s a carpenter by trade, so that’s promising. But he’s also the father of three girls and no boys. Still, Boyhood and Beyond is superb. I’ve reviewed books on father’s bringing up daughters as well as raising sons. Schultz is the best I’ve read on the latter.

In past mornings I’ve read this paperback (or the sequel) at family worship to my wife and six children. It’s good for my daughters too because it teaches them traits to look for in a husband. The whole family loves it. Here are three reasons why.

First, the book is manly. You picture Schultz sitting down in his shed with rolled up flannel sleeves, writing with pencil and paper. There’s not a Macbook Air in his zip code. He’s old school. He quotes from the KJV and bolsters his points with masculine illustrations you want your sons to hear: shooting turkeys, chopping firewood, tending the orchard and fixing the chicken coop.

Second, the book is well-rounded. There are thirty-one chapters covering topics like hard work, the value of an old man, perseverance, initiative, overcoming temptation, and personal responsibility. But it’s not just a book on standard character traits. Where will you find a man encouraging your sons to make inventions, think in analogies, write thank-you letters or have a pilgrim mindset? You will here.

Finally, the book is biblical. Though I must say the illustrations and stories were the delicious appetizer and dessert of every chapter, the main course is always rooted in Scripture. On each page he teaches in a way young and old can understand. I’ve even used it as a discipleship tool with the male teens and twenty-somethings in our African village.

“Developing in manhood is a process,” Schultz writes. In a world that has lost its way regarding gender roles, Boyhood and Beyond is a great tool in helping boys become men.

Review: She Calls Me Daddy: 7 Things You Need to Know About Building a Complete Daughter

Robert Wolgemuth, Focus on the Family, 1996, 2014, 256 pages, 3 of 5 stars

screen-shot-2017-02-10-at-10-43-56-pmI had never heard of Robert Wolgemuth until I watched “Unexpected Grace”, a video directed by my friend Nathan Bollinger for Revive Our Hearts Ministry. It tells the marvelous story of Wolgemuth’s marriage to Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

I found the video so intriguing that I decided to read one of his books. The first volume he ever published, She Calls Me Daddy, was also his best-seller. Since then he has written a number of other books, many of them on family. Having two daughters of my own, I figured this was a good place to start. Continue reading

Africa’s Need for Noble Men

screen-shot-2016-10-15-at-10-37-42-pmThomas Watson once said, “A father is a looking glass that the child often dresses himself by. Let the glass be clear and not spotted.”

When the nobleman in John’s Gospel believed in Christ, so did his whole household (Jn. 4:53). This would have included his wife, children, and workers. He did not give faith to his family, nor force them to believe, but was the positive and pervasive instrument God used to lead that home to saving trust.

This is why Paul encourages spouses in mixed marriages to remain and not divorce. Fathers and husbands have tremendous spiritual influence in their homes because they man the gospel rudder. “The unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband (1Co. 7:14).

Father Abraham was the appointed apparatus to teach his children the righteous way (Gn. 18:19). So was Joshua (Jos. 24:15).

Sadly, in rural African culture, a child’s looking glass is often the family member or relation that happens to be around at the time. A bike rides best with two wheels—the family with two parents. The rural African home is learning this the hard way as it drags along slowly from one generation to the next.

In our village context, and a hundred others beside, the people wonder why their culture continues to be ravaged by crime, poverty, and bad education. Certainly AIDS, corruption, and distant jobs play a part, but ubuntu is the greatest culprit. Ubuntu is the African worldview that says I exist because of the whole. Or as Hillary has said, it takes a village. This supposed “togetherness” of Africa was meant to be a contrast with the individualism of the West. Instead, it has devastated the home because grandparents, uncles, aunts, and neighbors are all viewed as sufficient and often superior trainers of the children. Single moms are rampant. Women are encouraged to seek careers. What else are grandparents for?

Africa needs fathers and husbands who will lead their households to Christ. Africa needs men who act as mirrors, before which their children can see an accurate picture of themselves and the gospel. African men need to abandon the cloak of pseudo-humility used to cover their bad character and instead urge their wives and children to follow them (1Co. 11:1). What Africa needs is an army of noble men.