So, YOU think you're a man?
Saturday, June 16, 2007 Posted by Pastor Fred Wolfe
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In the past several months I have heard a cry from many in the Republican Party calling for someone to step up as a “true conservative” and bring us back from the brink of destruction. While I have the same heartcry, I am wondering if this is the proper remedy for our malady as a nation.
I have had the idea for some time that the notion of men becoming men again would solve so many problems in our culture. It has always resided as a peripheral kind of notion, just out of the reach of articulation, and therefore, practicality. Meditating and ruminating on this subject with a little more urgency in the last few months has made me realize some things.
First, I am a wimp. I have been bred that way. I don't want to be a wimp anymore. I realized this when I was trying to write down exactly what I meant by a “real man” and found that every descriptive phrase made me feel embarrassed or worried of female backlash. Then it hit me. Wow, I am such a wimp. The very thing I am trying to describe as a prescription to the problems of modern America is the very thing I am afraid to describe, much less become.
Think about it. Because of the lack of real men in America, America's young males are forced to look to famous “men” who are self-indulgent, hedonistic, obnoxious, and even violent. We have an entire generation of young men who try to live out this lifestyle, and finding it unlivable, float aimlessly on the sea of postmodernism, questioning everything they come across, even the concept of truth, because they have no idea what it means to be a man.
The progressive women who have popularized feminism know exactly who they want men to be. They want men to be women. Men who stand up for the leadership that God has charged them with have become vilified as chauvinists or sexists. To even suggest that men will be the deciding factor in the rise and fall of nations is considered ludicrous, no matter how true it is.
This country needs more than a conservative politician. This country needs more than a party who listens to the people. This country needs real men again. For so many years, people like Ernest Hemingway defined the ideal for many men-men of courage who employ “grace under pressure”.
We need gladiator men who are described by Lord Byron, men who rise above what is normal:
I have had the idea for some time that the notion of men becoming men again would solve so many problems in our culture. It has always resided as a peripheral kind of notion, just out of the reach of articulation, and therefore, practicality. Meditating and ruminating on this subject with a little more urgency in the last few months has made me realize some things.
First, I am a wimp. I have been bred that way. I don't want to be a wimp anymore. I realized this when I was trying to write down exactly what I meant by a “real man” and found that every descriptive phrase made me feel embarrassed or worried of female backlash. Then it hit me. Wow, I am such a wimp. The very thing I am trying to describe as a prescription to the problems of modern America is the very thing I am afraid to describe, much less become.
Think about it. Because of the lack of real men in America, America's young males are forced to look to famous “men” who are self-indulgent, hedonistic, obnoxious, and even violent. We have an entire generation of young men who try to live out this lifestyle, and finding it unlivable, float aimlessly on the sea of postmodernism, questioning everything they come across, even the concept of truth, because they have no idea what it means to be a man.
The progressive women who have popularized feminism know exactly who they want men to be. They want men to be women. Men who stand up for the leadership that God has charged them with have become vilified as chauvinists or sexists. To even suggest that men will be the deciding factor in the rise and fall of nations is considered ludicrous, no matter how true it is.
This country needs more than a conservative politician. This country needs more than a party who listens to the people. This country needs real men again. For so many years, people like Ernest Hemingway defined the ideal for many men-men of courage who employ “grace under pressure”.
We need gladiator men who are described by Lord Byron, men who rise above what is normal:
“...before me the Gladiator lie: He leans upon his hand – his manly brow consents to death, but conquers agony.”
We need men back in the time of chivalry, who took the oath:
“Be without fear in the face of you enemies,
be brave and upright that God may love thee,
speak the truth, even if it leads to your death,
safeguard the helpless.”
If we want our government to have decency and honor, it will be through the men of this country becoming men again. This does not mean that they will be heard because of their macho bravado or their ability to mate or their capacity for chicken wings and beer. This is the lie that our liberated culture has shoved down our throats to keep us stupid and weak. A shallow, dishonored and easily pleased male culture is easily controlled and has not a trace of true masculinity. They will be heard because they will be bold. They will be strong. They will fail forward. They will build healthy families. They will change the culture...beginning with themselves.
It will begin with me, and many who are awakening to this truth. God has made us men- but men need to know how to be genuinely masculine. The Bible always speaks to my heart, but this verse really speaks to a man's heart in a special way:
“I rescued the poor who cried for help, and the fatherless who had none to assist him...I made the widow's heart sing...I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame. I was a father to the needy; I took up the case of the stranger; I broke the fangs of the wicked and snatched the victims from their teeth.” Job 29:12,13, 15-17
Real men are passionate, noble, honorable and dangerous. Not dangerous in a bad way, but dangerous in a healthy way. Real men see themselves as modern day gladiators, ready to destroy the forces of evil who daily battle to rip our families apart, undermine the freedom given by this great nation, and turn our young leaders of tomorrow into the slaves of an ideology that leaves them breathless, aimless and helpless.
Stand with me. Stand up and tell those who would blur the lines of masculinity and femininity that the scriptures alone can and do define gender. Then, teach these truths to our children, especially to our boys. Someone once told me, "A boy doesn't know he is a man until his father tells him he is one." Fathers, man up! If we don't take this stand, how many generations will it take before someone does?
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June 17, 2009 2:53 PM
I'm blessed that I am married to a man like this!
June 20, 2009 9:42 AM
dad I lovve you & you'r awesome.
love josiah
July 3, 2009 4:18 PM
dad I love blogs
josiah
July 6, 2009 3:48 PM
It can't be coincidence. It must be God. I agree brother. I too have received this concept lately. I did a Google search for the exact words of your page and you came up at the top of the search results. "So, You think you're a man?" Isn't God good? I wonder how many others are rising up to God's call. WOW, I have a huge lump in my throat now!! Great blog and I don't even read blogs!! Peace to you and your family.
jacomus decanus
May 4, 2010 3:15 PM
I married a real man. Before I met him, I was reading "Wild at Heart" by John Eldredge. I heartily recommend it to every man and woman who wants to see men become all the Lord created them to be.
May 4, 2010 4:09 PM
Laura, that is great to hear. I also got a lot from Wild at Heart. Have you read the women's companion book, Captivating?
May 4, 2010 4:25 PM
HA! Someone's feeling threatened by modern society. If you're that worried that your balls are going to shrivel up, then buy a cup.
May 4, 2010 4:25 PM
Where is the SHARE button so this can be posted all over Facebook and Twitter!??
Love it! Thank you!
May 4, 2010 5:07 PM
Anonymous-You're anonymous. Coward.
Jade- your wish is my command. Please share to your hearts content, I think we need to wake men up!
May 5, 2010 4:51 AM
Very interesting take. You might be right. If we were to model ourselves after David or Paul, we'd be much better off.
May 5, 2010 4:58 AM
Eric, if I was half the man that Paul or David were, I sure would be more like Christ!
May 5, 2010 9:05 PM
I loved this article!! It really shows that us as men have to step up for our future!Now excuse me while I go get my manicure.
May 8, 2010 12:51 AM
Pastor Wolfe,
I've never heard your name before and I don't know you, but I find myself fiercely agreeing with you. Like others who have commented, "Wild at Heart" has also impacted me, allowing me find my true heart. True Masculinity - it is dangerous, wild, and free - and it is good! May God ignite roaring fires in every man to get up to do battle for this country, for we are desperately needed in this day!
May 8, 2010 9:32 AM
Michael- lol, I suppose real men can have manicures, just don't enjoy it too much.
Anonymous- Thank you for stopping by. Your sentiments are correct, and we need to fan that flame by sharing our thoughts with others!