Book Review: Future Men by Douglas Wilson

I have sons, how do I prepare them? 

Future Men is an excellent read for knowing the basic principles that a father should under-gird his son with.  It touches numerous topics such as girls, fighting, work, money, and laziness.  The author, Douglas Wilson, begins by defining the obstacles that prevent boys from becoming Godly men, then enlists the fathers to take up the responsibility God has given them in the raising of a son, and finishes with several chapters on key topics, as mentioned above.

I found this book to be principly sober.  This book was short and concise, consisting mostly of biblical principles that sons must know and fathers must teach.  Biblically, this book, was aligned correctly with the Word of God.  I found all of Mr. Wilson's points to be exegetically correct and applied aply to any and all issues of our sons.  Each chapter was short and carefully outlined in such a way that referencing it in the future for quick review on a certain issue is helpful.  The book began and ended by establishing the truth that men are to be obedient to God.  In fact, every chapter alluded to this very basic and absolutely essential truth - men are called to be obedient to God. 

If you are looking for a book with very practical applications to it, this is not the book.  The principles outlined on each topic allow for personal digestion and personal application.  For instance, Mr. Wilson does not advocate a certain type of education for our sons over another, i.e. homeschooling is better than public.  He lays out the truth of what our sons need and then rightly applies the implications - fathers are to make sure their sons know the proper truth as future men. 

My favorite moment in the book was in the chapter on Christian Liberty.  He carefully laid out the truth that Christian liberty is for the service of another, not our own personal self-will.  We do have the liberty with certain practices, as mature adults distinguishing between good and evil.  We are to train our sons to be able to distinguish the same and not give into their appetites for their own glutoness passions.  As he closes out the chapter he tells the reader that wine makes a heart glad and that a father is to train his son to enjoy a glass of wine responsibly.  He is not hypocritical in his position, just balanced and led by the truths of Scripture.

I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to any father who needs a basic primer on the principles that are necessary for the training of our future men.