Rules of Engagement: Finding Faith and Purpose in a Disconnected World

by Chad Hennings, Michael Levin

In all of the roles Chad Hennings has been privileged to play in life he has seen that the persistent "go-it-alone" myth in our society traps men from connecting in a meaningful way with other men. In fact, men in our society are emotionally disconnected from each other and from God.

In this book Chad wants to share the lessons he has learned that will make a difference in men's lives and tear down the walls that separate men from each other and their true selves.

This book will offer men a plan for a new approach to life that

208 pages, Hardcover

First published December 29, 2009

Reviews

[Greg · Rating 1 out of 5]

Chad is a former Air Force pilot and then went on to be a football player for the Dallas Cowboys.

Chad looks like a nice guy, and he could kick my ass but fuck it, I don't like him. Once again I don't know much about him personally but this book irked the shit out of me this morning.

Reasons why in temporal order.

1. The title. I'm sick of military / fighting phrases used in Christian Inspiration books. I get it, you all as a majority in this country are so oppressed constantly that the only recourse you have is to take up arms a la the Black Panthers in the 1960's. Titles like this scare me when being put on a book about finding faith and purpose in the world because I can hear the jackboots sounding in the not so distant future when people think in language like this for an act that should have no military connotations.

That said, I'm planning on writing a self-help book for secular non-humanists called, Cut his Fucking Balls Off and then Shove them Down his Throat: Finding Purpose in the World without Selling Out to the Man; I'll be titling my second book Donkey Punch: A Man's Guide to Finding True Love.

2. He's a football player. There are so many Christian Inspiration books authored by current or former football players these days. I find this funny because if I was a Christian I'd be all about the part where Jesus says that none of the earlier Laws have been changed, and thinking that one has the right to change his fathers Laws is a bad thing (see one of my other reviews about Christians for the actual bible quote). Which basically means that God is still playing with the Ten Commandments and Leviticus in effect, yo! And which means that every professional football player is going to hell for not following the Sabbath. That's right, all of them, every one of them that points his finger in the air, thanks God for letting him win the game, and every one of these people who have been flaunting their disrespect for the law of God for their own personal gain, they will be going to H E double Hockey Sticks.

I've lost track of how many evangelicals I have sentenced to hell so far in these reviews, but this might be the biggest group of believers yet I've sent in one swoop.

Needless to say I don't care to read self-serving holier-than-thou Christian accounts from ex-atheletes who have made a mockery of their own faith by their profession, and now want to preach at everyone else. All of you are hypocritical fucknuts. You are also fucking retarded and so morally myopic to believe that if there was a God he would give a flying fuck about you and your stupid game, and would have had a hand in helping you win a game when there are people in the world suffering who also believe in him. Your belief baffles and confuses me. It also makes me want to call you all fucktards, needless to say this is only for the football players (American that is), and every celebrity who has ever thanked a Christian God at an awards ceremony held on a Sunday night, but that is for another time.

3. I opened up the book to read this fact, (loosely quoted), "Before WW2 only 18-20 percent of soldiers aimed to hit the enemy in combat." This interesting and fully fabricated fact is claimed to be from studies. I'm not sure what studies these are from, since this sounds like a post WW2 social science type of study, and what soldier would admit to basically being a coward and guilty of some type of treason or dereliction of duty by not having any intention of hitting the enemy, and shooting directly over their head.

This is a bullshit fact and being on the page I opened the book to, it makes me think that it wasn't just a coincidence I found the one piece of stinking cow feces in the book. Chad you are a liar. Your pants are on fire, and that might just be because of the flames of hell already coming up to grab on to you.

Thankfully since your evangelical beliefs are fairy tales you don't have to worry about all the bad shit waiting for you after you die. Instead the physical parts of your body will disperse back into the universe and everyone will forget you within a century of your death. You will be insignificant, but at least you will not be burning for all eternity.

[Linda B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read quite a few books that are entertaining and interesting. It isn’t often I come across one that is not only entertaining and interesting, but it is essential reading for its target audience, which is males from about 15 to 25. Of course, men over 25 will enjoy the book too, but the values message in Rules of Engagement is so important that it should be read in the years in which moral values are forming.


The author describes how men in our society become emotionally disconnected from other men and from God. From his years as an Air Force pilot, he describes how important a “wingman” is to the pilot and how he has applied that concept into a civilian ministry.


Chad’s style is not “preachy”, but instead he offers a two part plan. In the first part he describes the challenges and talks about building character, work ethic, balance, and spirituality. He calls this part Basic Training. In the second part, or Active Duty, he describes a plan to live a life that is honorable and fulfilling.


Although Chad Hennings writes about his own life in football, the military and his own weaknesses, he does not focus the book on himself. Rules of Engagement is about men and how to live their lives for God.


I would recommend this book for all men, but especially for high school and college students, a graduate gift, men just starting out in the work world, Sunday School classes, and church libraries.

[Scottie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think that "Rules of Engagement" is a really good title for this book. It makes the things he has to say easy to understand in a way men can understand from the military to football. I thought this was a well written and easy to read book. On page 118 Chad says "I'm also in awe of the academic or writer, who can so eloquently take thoughts and ideas and put them down on paper. That's talent and I respect it-it is so cool." I can hardly believe he doesn't put himself in this category. This is a great book for men and puts all things with Christ into perspectives that can easily be identified with. I especially liked his comparison of the Armor of God to his football equipment. What man or boy couldn't identify with football? Chad put so much thought into this book and covers so many pertinent subjects from mental and spiritual strength to the various roles that men have and to so many aspects of a man's life including work, money, family and serving others. I will definately pass this book aroud to many friends.

[Gregory · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have just finished reading this book. I do like to take Mr. Hennings to task for his comments about a family raising a child. That is true, a village can also raise a child. He also excludes Single Fathers which I am a Single Father myself and a Christian. It is a very good book. As a man, I did find it to be encouraging.

Mr. Hennings should take into account that there are Single Fathers out there who need help as well as Single Mothers. I didn't fall into the traps that have befallen most children of Single Mothers. I had a godly mother who had helped me and good male role models that have prevented me from falling into those traps. He also has to take into account that not everyone grew up on a farm.

That is good that he was raised with those values and is instilling them with his children, everyone is different. Otherwise, a good book.

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this book through First Reads. Granted, I'm not a man, so I'm sure my opinion on this is a bit different, but I found this book interesting and possibly relevant to some men. The idea of the "disconnect from men and God" I found interesting, and very relevant to its target audience. Overall, I'm not sure how it benefited me, but I can see how it would benefit others.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a short easy to read book. Filled with stories from his like in the Air Force, as a Cowboy, and as a Christian, he uses his personal life to get his message through. The book is primarily written for men but has some useful information for anyone.

[Christine]

Won this book through First Reads. Can't wait to dive in and start reading it!

[Ricka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book, my husband is currently reading this one! I look for Chad to write more.

[Jordan Ulmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book firmly founded on Character and Christ Centered thinking.