There's a better way

“When David’s time to die drew near, he commanded Solomon his son, saying, ‘I am about to go the way of all the earth. Be strong, and show yourself a man, and keep the charge of the Lord your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statues, his commandments, his rules, and his testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn, that the Lord may establish his word that he spoke concerning me...’”

1 Kings 2: 1-4a

This is Concerning

Recently, I have been listening to Christian podcasts talking about the crisis of masculinity both in the United States and within the church as a whole in the United States. Younger, particularly white, men gravitate to secular influencers like Joe Rogan, Jordan Peterson, former Navy SEALs or Green Berets, etc. Worse, some are getting swept up by white supremacy groups and anti-Christian influencers like Andrew Tate. Even secular writers like Jonathan Haidt and Christian writers like Russell Moore are noticing that young women and young men are having less in common due to political differences and, therefore, are not getting married. This is concerning.

An Ancient Challenge

When King David drew near the end of his life, he challenged his successor and son, Solomon, to be strong and act like a man. David was quite the “renaissance man” for his time, being well-rounded. We are well acquainted with his warrior side while also being quite the musician. He utilized both the left and right parts of his brain, as Scripture shows. When he challenged his son to “act like a man,” he was not referring to just being a warrior. He was challenging him to obey God, like Moses did with Joshua. When David was telling his son to “act like a man,” living in obedience to God, standing up for justice, showing compassion to his subjects, governing the nation with wisdom, and humbling himself before Almighty God is what he had in mind.

Toxic Masculinity

The MD5 process helped show what authentic biblical masculinity looks like. It is far from passivity, which we often see on one side, and “machismo,” which we see on the other. We as men must reject passivity, accept responsibility, lead courageously, and invest eternally.

I highly recommend a book I read last year by Christian author, professor, and apologist (defending the faith) Nancy Pearcey, called The Toxic War on Masculinity: How Christianity Reconciles the Sexes. In this book, she uses secular research to show that “authentically committed Christian men test out as the most loving and engaged husbands and fathers. They have the lowest rates of divorce and domestic violence of any group in America.” She also shows that men who minimally claim to be Christian are worse than non-religious men in this area. They incorrectly pick out things from Christianity to justify their toxic leadership in the home. Pearcey would know, as she tells of how her father, an elder at their church, was verbally and physically abusive in their home. He lived one way in public and another at home. He was the opposite of a committed Christian man, but instead used religion to justify his abuse.

A Better Way

God gives us a better way. When we live in loving obedience to Christ as husbands, fathers, friends, co-workers, sons, brothers, sons-in-law, etc., we live out authentic masculinity as God intended. We are not pushovers and passive, but men after God’s own heart. Look at Christ! No one could have endured what He did out of love for us when He could have easily called down all of Heaven to eliminate those who had Him put to death.

He is our model of authentic masculinity. Some Christian men are “man’s man,” some artistically creative, some musically talented, some sensitive, some leaders, some extroverts, some introverts, some more emotional, some less emotional, etc. God has shaped us differently but similarly, as we are made in His image (imago dei). I am confident that when we grow closer to God in love and obedience, we slowly become the best of who God uniquely shaped us to be. God is in the restoration business and desires to make you whole.

Contagious Authentic Biblical Manhood

Revisit your Life Plan this weekend and course correct where you have drifted, incrementally working towards becoming the man God has called you to be. Our sons won’t be swept away by secular influencers when we do that. They will see a contagious, authentic biblical manhood in the home. When finding a future husband, our daughters will not settle for less than that. Lean into Christ and watch how He “sharpens you” like iron on iron.

John Gore

MD5 Facilitator