A big question today is What does it mean to be a man? This is not a simple question. Answering What does it mean to be human? is actually simpler. So, with the caveat that I cannot possibly give this question the attention it deserves in a short blog, I’m going to take a stab at it.
One place to start is with biblical examples. Joshua is an example of courage in the face of danger, including obedience despite fear. Noah was an example of submission to God’s will, which allowed him to have an incredible impact on the world. Moses was an example of servant leadership and humility. The prophet Jeremiah exhibited tremendous perseverance in the face of continual resistance. Gideon protected his people from the Philistines. Elijah stood for what was right, even though that meant he stood alone. And finally, David showed restraint when he had the power to do more.
These are all great examples of various elements of biblical manhood. Not surprisingly, the only place we find all aspects of biblical manhood perfectly embodied is in Jesus. Most fundamentally, Jesus sacrificed Himself for those He loved. Nothing is more manly than that. But it wasn’t a one-time act of love, it was an every day love for all people—friends, strangers, even enemies—that is the core of His biblical manhood. Biblical manhood isn’t ashamed to love deeply, in word and deed. Genuine love for God and for others is like a superpower that enables all other traits of biblical manhood.
Providing for oneself and one’s family is also an element of biblical manhood, though it is often misunderstood. This is more than just providing a paycheck and then checking out on the couch. This is providing for the physical, spiritual, and emotional needs of the family. A provider gives his kids encouragement when they need it and discipline when it’s called for. A provider meets his wife’s need to be cherished and feel safe. It’s easy to see how this is manly. Think of those who are totally dependent on others to provide for them, such as the homeless. Dependency is not manly (though ironically, knowing when to ask for help is courageous and manly). Even Jesus provided for his family, telling John to care for His mother while He hung on the cross.
One thing Jesus didn’t have to do that we do is take responsibility for His actions. Biblical manhood requires the courage to admit wrong or failure and accept the results without blaming others. This is VERY hard to do but is enabled by knowing that our value comes from God, regardless of how many times we screw up. So, our value is never in question.
Integrity is another element of biblical manhood. This is more than telling the truth, though that is part of it. Integrity means doing the right thing, even when no one is watching. Psalm one extols the man of integrity. Such a man is secure because he has nothing to hide.
You may be wondering, How is this different from biblical womanhood? Shouldn’t women love God and others? Shouldn’t women take responsibility for their actions and have integrity? Yes, of course that’s true. The difference is fuzzy; the lines blurred, because it’s nearly impossible to paint with a brush that encompasses all people. But I get the distinct impression that it’s not that the character traits men and women are called to are different, but rather they tend to be expressed in different ways. But even Jesus compared Himself to a mother hen who protects her chicks. Clearly, the lines between biblical manhood and womanhood can be blurry, but what the online influencers of the manosphere are projecting as manhood is nowhere near the truth.
