Book Review: The Little Book of Christian Character and Manners by William & Colleen Dedrick
The Little Book of Christian Character and Manners gave me a good solid kick in the pants. Deserved. So much of it makes sense; philosophically and theologically I agree with it. I like the way it was laid out. I need repentance and diligence and trust and consistency. I see some of the negative traits it lists in my children. (I see some of the positives, too)
I read through it quickly, underlining a lot, but it deserves a more thorough, careful read.
I have a few qualms. I wish the authors had been more clear about who they were quoting (like Rushdoony, for example) in a couple of places, it made me feel like they were trying to hide things and I wasn’t catching everything. There is definitely a flavor of parents imposing a “law” in this book that I’m not sure but goes too far. I definitely think they take a bit too far the section on work (almost as far as the Maxwells do).
Overall, a happy addition to our library.
Yep- it gives me a kick in the pants EVERY time I read it too! (We try to read it once a year.) But that is okay b/c I need it! 🙂 I find the book so encouraging too- fresh breath of air compared to what most books are like!
I'll have to look again at the work issue- I didn't think it went as far as you said…