Monday, April 6, 2009

Manhood

What is man that Thou art mindful of him? (Psalm 8:4)

That is a question asked by one of the Old Testament prophets in an attempt to understand God's perspective on man. Why would He love us so? What is it about man that God would give His life in ransom for man? That is a question each generation asks and the scriptures clearly answers in John 3:16. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son ..." SWEET! That says it all, does it not?

But let's play off the first part of the above phrase for a moment. "What is man...?" Good question, huh? What is God's expection for a man today? What is a biblical definition for mansulinity? Sounds like good fodder for discussion to me!

What say you? Can you embellish this subject with me for a few days? As you contemplate the Christian male role today what topics/subjects come to mind for discussion? Who is man to be by oringinal design?

(Lady bloggers, I would really like your perspective on this subject. I understand if you feel compelled to post comments anonymously. But by all means, be sure to read the comments posted over the next few days. If nothing more you may get a chuckle from the men!)

Thanks for stopping by!

-------
Adrian

12 comments:

  1. Whereas any definition outside of physiology is not completely exclusive, man is a penetrator, we are that aspect of God that 'enters into' the garden.

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  2. From my perspective, a Christian man should be one of integrity who is the spiritual and emotional head of his home. He should also be a person of courage (not machismo). One who is comfortable with himself (of course, you have to know yourself before you can be comfortable with yourself) and willing to show sensitivity. As he was created in God's image, ideally he would be a replica of the Father who I don't think is swaggering around in heaven with his chest puffed out. Thus, man should look to the Father to find out who he was meant to be. Any other place we look to will not provide us with a sufficient model.

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  3. Steve, I agree. The whole nature of man's creation in the Garden was to "Go into the world... and have dominion." I think penetrated is a good word describing how we are to be proactive in influencing all of creation for Christ. Penetrate, infiltrate, etc., is what comes to mind when I consider the intentional living described in Genesis 1-3 and the Command of Christ "to go." Talk more about this...

    I wonder how Pat Pope has gained such good insight on men and who told her that we "puff" and "swagger" at home? :)

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  4. "thus, man should look to the Father to find out who he was meant to be. Any other place we look to will not provide us with a sufficient model."

    Exodus 15:2-4 (New International Version)
    2 The LORD is my strength and my song;
    he has become my salvation.
    He is my God, and I will praise him,
    my father's God, and I will exalt him.
    3 The LORD is a warrior;
    the LORD is his name.
    4 Pharaoh's chariots and his army
    he has hurled into the sea.
    The best of Pharaoh's officers
    are drowned in the Red Sea.

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  5. Sorry, I just meant that as a generality. I know that not all men "puff" and "swagger", but let's face it, that does tend to be popular culture's model of a "real man".

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  6. Where is Narrowminded? Is he hiding because we know who he is?

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  7. I have felt for some time now that men have fallen from who they should be under the past many years of having women fighting for their rights. The women's lib movement not only hurt women of today, but have destroyed the image of what man should be. We have allowed it because we felt the confrontation is just not worth it. Men are supposed to be the leaders of our homes, but we have allowed women to take over. We find it easier to just let her run the home. Work is easier than home because we know what we're doing there and understand the rules. Throw the wife and kids into the mix and we lose track of how we work into the mix. We have allowed "her" to take over the things that we don't want to deal with and then can't understand why we don't have any control there. Spiritual leader? Too much work. The world has changed from what it was when our fathers and grandfathers battled the beasts. Now we're confused as to what and who the beasts are and who they are. We want to lead, but are confused about where we are leading. TV demeans us to the point of making us clueless dolts that could not survive if our women did not give us every detail we need to survive. Yes we need men of integrity who are the spiritual and emotional heads of our homes. We live in a very confused world today and need to understand who God meant us to be, rather than succumb to what the world says we are. John Eldridge some save us!

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  8. Totally unrelated to this topic, I found a way to get e-mails when comments are added to a post in case anyone is interested. Here's how:

    http://help.blogger.com/bin/answer.py?answer=79117&topic=12506

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  9. Thanks Pat for the good information and link. You are the best!

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  10. No problem. Once again, a woman to the rescue! :)

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  11. I'd love to post but my wife won't allow me on the computer...

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  12. Anonymous,
    I am so sorry ... I guess using the computer must be a minor decision... huh? Oh well, maybe next time :-)

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