Defining Manhood
Jun 18
How would you define manhood? What are some principles of “manhood”? Where do we get these from or who should define them? I need men and women on this one. Can anyone give me 3-10 points?
Jun 18
How would you define manhood? What are some principles of “manhood”? Where do we get these from or who should define them? I need men and women on this one. Can anyone give me 3-10 points?
I don’t know, I was speaking to a few trained “Christian” killers the other day about Christ’s command to turn the other cheek, to love your enemies, not to resist an evil man, and not to stop someone who is taking away your belongings and they were very certain that I was not very manly.
The “church” I used to attend not Bridgewater but prior to that said that because Stacy and I are barren having no children that I am not qualified to do a number of things within their organization, so apparently I’m not much of a man on that front either.
They even told me that because I “allow” Stacy to work outside the home (that cracks me up just reading it) that I have abdicated my role and am not a biblical man.
So, I’m really not one to ask about what it means to be a man, but I’m gonna focus on following Christ anyway.
I am convinced after meeting you Lionel that you are a man who loves God, his wife and his children. Keep up the good work my man.
Hutch,
I would take all non Chritian perspectives also. So it doesn’t have to say “what makes a Christian man” but a man in general.
More testosterone than estrogen and the right equipment? I’m not good at this, ask Wayne Grudem.
Hmmm…let’s see…in no particular order (and some of these are not exclusively male but in my opinion are important in defining manhood)
1. Born with male genitalia.
2. Provider (not necessarily in the traditional way…I just mean he must contributing to the household in some way whether it be a stay at home dad or an outside job).
3. Humility
4. Protector of the family
5. Leader of the family
6. Patience
7. Willing to sacrifice for the family
8. Love for Christ
9. Love for the Church
10. Love for his family
I get some of these principles from society, personal preference, tradition, or my faith…..Who should define them? In a marriage, the husband and wife should define these. In singlehood, I think each individual should define them and link with a mate who shares the same convictions.
In the Christian marriage, I think we make a mistake on focusing on the differences or so called roles instead of focussing on the one-flesh relationship that I believe is so much more than just sexual union as we grow more and more as a one-flesh couple in Christ as our marriages picture the relationship of Christ and the church. Like Priscilla and Aquilla, our identities become more and more intertwined with each other as we walk in Christ.
Lionel,
Human manhood can be described in one word, whether secular or Christian: JESUS CHRIST!
Aussiejohn,
Amen to that brother! For Christ is the perfect man and therefore our perfect example of what it is to be a man. Study Him and you will find all of your manhood points.
Aussie,
What does that look like practically? The life and practices of Christ?
Vetta,
What do 4 and 5 look like practically?
Lionel,
Briefly: He is the epitomy of:
Compassion towards all, Obedience to the Father, Surrendered to the Father’s rule, Absolute example of being Spirit Filled, Prayerful, Humble, a true Servant, utter Confidence in the Father.
He is:
Powerful but gentle, just and compassionate, lived in reality,not fantasy, as a man,fully aware of human weakness.
Lionel,
I was going to add, apart from His Deity, He is everything I would hope to be, but cannot be in this earthly life because I am a saint who sins.