The Duty of Manhood

As I mixed the pie for “Man Sunday” (a day devoted to men cooking for the women with a sermon on Biblical manhood) at my church, I couldn’t help but wonder over the definition of manhood.  In a society where gender is seen purely as social constructs, defining manhood can become a quite a task, even a risk.  It will most likely end with the slanders of bigoted, sexist, or politically incorrect.  All words espoused by those in opposition of Christian values far too often.  Manhood is none of these.  It is a concept best defined by General Patton: “Battle is the most magnificent competition in which a human being can indulge. It brings out all that is best; it removes all that is base. All men are afraid in battle. The coward is the one who lets his fear overcome his sense of duty. Duty is the essence of manhood.”

Our country is currently engaged in a battle, and I’m not referring to the multiple wars in other countries.  I’m referring to the one taking place within our borders.  It is a war of ideas and philosophy.  It is a war between Secularists and Christians.  It is a war of morality.  No war is as important as the one for the hearts and minds of the people. For it is the hearts and minds which gave power to Hitler.  It is the hearts and minds which allowed the Bolshevik Revolution.  Whenever men forsake their duty, sin destroys.  Nowhere is the price of men forsaking their duty clearer than in the Garden of Eden.  Man, from the beginning, has been given the keys to safeguarding the Law.

Manhood is not a means of physical or emotional abuse.  It is not a means of “keeping a woman in her place.”  Manhood is a call to capture the hearts and minds of the family.  It is the call of Joshua: “as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”  When scripture records that God is in the midst of two or three, it is not to give comfort to small churches.  It is the number of a family.  When a family comes together—when a father disciples his wife and children, God is there.  Men, capture the hearts of your children.  Capture the hearts of your wives.  It is through them that Christ’s kingdom will increase and sin will decrease.  This is the duty of men.