My friend Shane Morris recently posted a series of Tweets that articulate an idea I’ve seen circulating a lot recently: That evangelical Christian culture implicitly (or explicitly) blames men too much for the state of the church and the wider world. Contrary to what you might guess at first glance, this isn’t an especially parochial or “manosphere” take; you can find figures ranging from
To a certain extent, it's less about "are we too harsh" as much as "are we giving men the tools they need to live up to the high calling they've been given?" You're absolutely spot on that without looking at men holistically, as more than dads and husbands, you'll be missing some of the critical avenues like friendship and community that can help them fulfill their calling(s).
I tend to think of this in light of the qualifications for elders and deacons. Being a husband and father is only a small part of the lists in Titus & 2 Tim; to stop there misses all the other virtues that are cultivated not just in the family context, but in vocation and community and everywhere else. To meet men in those areas with challenge AND support is to push them in the right direction.
“ Because men and women need more than for the other group to do right by them. They need each other.”
Once I got here I finally gave in to the tears. This was so good. My husband and I recently completed counseling - over 6 months. During this time the Lord really taught and guided me in so many things. And much of what you’re speaking about here echos those things.
Pointing out the disparity between men’s and women’s ministries . . . I must repent. How haven’t we seen this? I’ve even heard some of the men complain when there is a men’s group that is just camaraderie and fun.
We’ve know our men need friendships - but we’ve encouraged things that don’t foster that. 🙏🏻
“This critique seems to conflate what rises to the surface in evangelical subculture—magazines, blogs, books, etc.—with what actually goes on in typical churches.”
Ive thought this about many of the “crises” in American evangelicalism. When I log off social media and go to church Sunday morning, I gather with lots saints who love the Lord, are actively pursuing him and sharing the gospel, but who have no idea what the latest controversies and arguments in the online world are.
I would suggest asking an even more basic question - are we Evans. ceding too much to the world by accepting their category of "gender?" It's a comparatively new concept - 70 years old and still needs to be proven or supported from Scripture.
So accepting the concept of significant differences in identity and definition that have encrusted common use of "gender" now, even more conflict and unresolved issues will result, right? Fruit of the tainted culture.
In Scripture, the orienting principle is a person's relationship with God, male or female - and there are not two separate lines leading to God. In the NT, Christians are called to be like Christ without having "blue" and "pink" lists of attributes...
This clear distinction between Scripture and world teaching may limit how much we can debate, but isn't it better than debating on the world's terms and always being on the losing end in culture?
To a certain extent, it's less about "are we too harsh" as much as "are we giving men the tools they need to live up to the high calling they've been given?" You're absolutely spot on that without looking at men holistically, as more than dads and husbands, you'll be missing some of the critical avenues like friendship and community that can help them fulfill their calling(s).
I tend to think of this in light of the qualifications for elders and deacons. Being a husband and father is only a small part of the lists in Titus & 2 Tim; to stop there misses all the other virtues that are cultivated not just in the family context, but in vocation and community and everywhere else. To meet men in those areas with challenge AND support is to push them in the right direction.
“ Because men and women need more than for the other group to do right by them. They need each other.”
Once I got here I finally gave in to the tears. This was so good. My husband and I recently completed counseling - over 6 months. During this time the Lord really taught and guided me in so many things. And much of what you’re speaking about here echos those things.
Pointing out the disparity between men’s and women’s ministries . . . I must repent. How haven’t we seen this? I’ve even heard some of the men complain when there is a men’s group that is just camaraderie and fun.
We’ve know our men need friendships - but we’ve encouraged things that don’t foster that. 🙏🏻
“This critique seems to conflate what rises to the surface in evangelical subculture—magazines, blogs, books, etc.—with what actually goes on in typical churches.”
Ive thought this about many of the “crises” in American evangelicalism. When I log off social media and go to church Sunday morning, I gather with lots saints who love the Lord, are actively pursuing him and sharing the gospel, but who have no idea what the latest controversies and arguments in the online world are.
Can you explain your thoughts behind the idea that premarital sex would be intuitively thought of as a female-coded sin?
AMEN
Good thoughts as always!
I would suggest asking an even more basic question - are we Evans. ceding too much to the world by accepting their category of "gender?" It's a comparatively new concept - 70 years old and still needs to be proven or supported from Scripture.
So accepting the concept of significant differences in identity and definition that have encrusted common use of "gender" now, even more conflict and unresolved issues will result, right? Fruit of the tainted culture.
In Scripture, the orienting principle is a person's relationship with God, male or female - and there are not two separate lines leading to God. In the NT, Christians are called to be like Christ without having "blue" and "pink" lists of attributes...
This clear distinction between Scripture and world teaching may limit how much we can debate, but isn't it better than debating on the world's terms and always being on the losing end in culture?