Some have asked me lately what I meant in my introduction by "I am a Christian, and I have a passion to restore a more masculine
image to the Christian Church (sorry ladies, but church has become way
to feminine and it needs to reverse direction)". Therefore today I would like to expand a little on this subject. Truthfully its no one thing, and men we have nobody to blame but ourselves for the decline in masculinity in today's church.
I'm not sure how or why but somewhere along the road Christianity has been labeled as a place where anger is a taboo. Men get angry (Jesus got angry and I'm certain HE still does), a place or a group that doesn't allow anger is a strange and uncomfortable place for a man to be. This is an image churches need to change, that the pew is a place where its okay to cry and grab a tissue, but anger is a 4 letter word.
Some women may not understand this so I will offer two examples one is a quote and I cannot remember who said it so forgive me there, "Telling a man not to get angry is like telling a woman to stop crying". The second example comes from my own children (and I imagine yours are the same). My son is 3 and when he is missing dad or having a hard time with something he reacts in anger, my daughter who is 2 cries out.
Okay men PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THIS PART. Anger is okay but it needs to come from the right place; James 1:19-20
19 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.
Be angry when you read about babies murdered in the womb, when you observe unjust and unfair treatment of others, when you see our youth trapped in the grips of drugs and sex. Getting angry when you get cut off on the highway "does not bring about the righteous life that God desires".
Men lets take back the church, lets step up and with a righteous anger show the world that we are not a bunch of soft spoken intellectuals but men the same as any other only carrying a hope that comes from God Himself.
Men lets take back the church, lets step up and with a righteous anger show the world that we are not a bunch of soft spoken intellectuals but men the same as any other only carrying a hope that comes from God Himself.
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4 comments:
You also forgot where Paul says
Ephesians 4:26 -- "Be angry but do not sin."
You also might want to draw a line to where God tells you Proverbs 8:13
"To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech."
The Fear of the lord is the beginning of wisdom. so could hate an anger be wise? Only if you have the renewed mind of Christ and hate what is detestable to the Father.
I read this a couple of days ago and have been thinking about it. I've been saying for sometime that the Church has been emasculated. I agree with you that men are probably to blame. I've thought of a couple of reasons for this in descending order.
1. Pornography, I think that this, with it's easy access with modern technologies has decimated the church in America. Given the shame that is associated with it, and the church's oblivion to it (women have no concept of the power this has over a man, they do have plenty of disgust toward it however) and as men withdraw leaving leadership in feminine hands, the problem is exacerbated.
2. Corporate models. Men deal with corporations every day of their lives. They work with power structures and embedded empires and politics all week long. Men, given that it is in their DNA to "fix" problems; to put their hand to problems; to rally the troops so to speak; are increasingly disgusted with the corperate structure and business models, they experience all week long. (shut up and stack some chairs) The local body itself has become the prime reason for the local body's existence. Given that politics will be a part of any group involving more than two people, I think that these inherent problems can be mitigated by taking up a 1st Cor. 12-14 model that was laid out by Paul; a model, it's sad to say, completely alien to the modern church.
3. The political incorrectness in the church toward masculine behavior. You have expounded well on this. Have you by any chance read Warrior at Heart? What did you think?
BTW way, great post.
To Dan and Bob - from Mrs. Melissa Hadley - I just want to say a little something about this from a woman's perspective.
I agree Bob, that men have no one to blame but themselves for the emasculinity of the church. Women are languishing for the lack of male leadership and have thrown up their hands in exasperation, and rolled up their sleeves to do the job themselves. I believe that most women would shout for joy and gladly hand over the torch if men would simply step up and lead. I thank God everyday that you are a leader in our home and trying to also lead at our church.
Secondly, I wanted to respond to Dan about the pornography issue. You stated "women have no concept of the power this has over a man, they do have plenty of disgust". I quote 1Co 10:13 "No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it." Pornography does not hold power over any man in Christ.
Romans 12:9 says to "hate evil, cling to what is good". Pornography victimizes; and statistically leads to crime against women and children. It deeply wounds a woman/wife's self esteem and worth and the trust and purity of a marriage bed. Most men know that; and then some choose to partake of it anyway; even the Christian men who know better. That is disgusting and evil and it is wrong to expect any other reaction from a God fearing individual.
It seems to me that what men really want is to be more comfortable in their confession, and not have to feel the conviction of their sin; or the shame of their behavior. I agree that the church is often silent on this issue, and that is wrong. We are so busy teaching salvation, that we forget to teach God's word and our responsibility to act on it. As a woman, I just wish men would start meditating on 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 and start acting like the strong men God intended them to be. And start protecting women instead of victimizing them like they are supposed to.
Oh that they would!
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