Actually, what holdingon said makes a TON of sense in the context of "Wild at Heart."
It is a book designed to allow a man to discover his heart, and that must be a VERY personal journey. Eldredge has other books designed for a broader audience, such as his latest, "Waking the Dead."
But let's focus on the message of Wild at Heart that is focused on men.
First, a man must find his heart by seeking a relationship with God. He must deal with the wounds of his past (we ALL have them, whether they are inflicted by a parent, sibling, teacher or friend...we have all been wounded in life). He must face his wound(s) and, with God's help, begin the heart-work necessary to heal.
A man should not seek validation from a woman. In other words, a man should not go to the woman to have his question (the question that EVERY man has - "do I have what it takes?") answered. He must find that answer in his walk with God. And then, he can go to the woman to OFFER his strength.
As for parenthood, the father has a particular role, just as the mother does. A mother is a nurturer (who do children run to when they are hurt?)...the father conveys to a child, whether girl or boy, that child's identity.
And that's done through the father investing his TIME with his children. With a girl, he is answering HER question ("do you see me? am I delightful?")...he notices her when she's playing dress-up, for instance. With a boy, he is answering HIS question ("do I have what it takes?")...he takes him on adventures like camping or fishing trips.
The point is, these questions are dealt with primarily by the father.
As for the H/W relationship, the ultimate goal is deep intimacy. The man has to fight for the woman...DAILY. Show her that she is DELIGHTFUL to him (remember every girl's question?). Offer her his strength, which he gets by fulfilling his need for adventure and taking up daily his battle against the enemy and all that the enemy brings against him and his family.
Much, much more to this...but hopefully, some of these thoughts on the Wild at Heart ministry will serve to clarify some things for you.
More later...meanwhile, let me know how it's going and what you think.
