Manhood
Manhood on the Mind
by on Feb 8th, 2010 at 12:01 am
Ok, so the Super Bowl is over, and now our uber-consumeristic culture will set its mind toward who will win next year (of course, this follows all of the “I-told-you-so” articles from sports critics).
Hopefully for us, life has not been severely derailed by a game. Here are some articles from the past week that, I hope, will draw your focus in profitable places.
“Getting Your Eyes Off the Other Guy” by Doug Wilson
Never underestimate the deceitfulness of sin and its ability bring harm to others.
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Manhood on the Mind
by on Feb 15th, 2010 at 2:32 am
Gentlemen, I hope that this week is full of character-growing opportunities. Here are some articles that can stir your heart and challenge your mind.
“Where are the Young Men” by Albert Mohler
The number of female students entering undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate education programs has been steadily increasing over the past few decades. This trend is a good thing. However, the male population is dropping and Al Mohler inquires as to why this is the case.
“When God’s Direction Comes through Correction” by Jon Bloom
Oh for holy friends who can deliver faithful wounds...
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Manhood on the Mind
by on Feb 22nd, 2010 at 1:58 am
Spring break is one week away for me. I’m looking forward to visiting with my mother, extended family, and my brother’s family. I’m also looking forward to going south where it (hopefully) is warmer and the southern charm is available even for Yankees such as myself. Not every moment will be light and easy. My grandfather, a hero of this country and in my own life, is not faring well, and I am preparing to speak with him for what might very well be the last time. Pray that I can learn one last lesson from him and honor someone to whom honor is due.
“The Critical Spirit” by Douglas Wilson
Just a thought for us as we embark on another week.
“Did He Get Married Too Young” by Albert Mohler
Dr. Albert Mohler offers an interesting review of David Lapp’s article on marriage and youth. What do you think of the issue?
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Manhood in the News
by on Aug 29th, 2010 at 11:00 pm
Well, gentlemen, here are some more articles worth your attention. As always, I send them to you to think about them, wrestle with them, and make your own conclusions about them. I’m not necessarily in agreement with all of them, but they are worth taking and holding against the rubric of Scripture to see what is true.
“Why Aren’t ‘Emerging Adults’ Emerging as Adults?’” by Albert Mohler
It is hard to let time pass without including something from Dr. Al Mohler because he is usually paying close to attention to issues of masculinity and culture. In this article, he interacts with the thoughts of other sociologists on the growing pattern of young men and the seemingly later ages in which they are embracing the responsibilities and opportunities of adulthood.
I’m still working through and chewing on this particular article because though I agree with a large percentage of what Dr. Mohler says, I also wonder if the older generation of Christian leaders is truly sensitive to the nature of life in today’s economy as a person in his twenties. I just completed my twenties last week and can say that it was nothing like my father’s twenties or my grandfather’s twenties. I’m asking the question: to what degree have today’s males failed and to what degree are today’s males being as responsible as they can in a world where jobs are not readily available, the cost of necessities is much higher than thirty years ago, the debt from high college expenses is exponentially greater than thirty years ago, and the idea of renting an apartment would only exacerbate the debt of a young man today? Notice that I have not even added the costs that this younger generation will incur at the hands of today’s big spenders (i.e. insolvent government programs, growing costs of health care, deferred maintenance of our nation’s infrastructure, not-so-rosy look at the future of the market, etc.).
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Manhood On The Mind
by on Sep 12th, 2010 at 10:40 pm
Since I took several months off to finish my graduate degree and enter into other responsibilities for a short-term period of time, I thought that I would send you some articles that were written during that time. Yes, some of the information is dated, but I picked these articles because the authors each found creative ways to talk about issues that permeate the circumstances.
“Warholian Christians” by Douglas Wilson
The recent events that have transpired with a small church in Gainesville, Florida, a set of holy books, and a tense global climate are pretty well known to everyone. Douglas Wilson is not without his opinions, but his article is unique in comparison to other articles on the situation. In particular, I like that he brings to the surface the inability for modern (and postmodern) secularism to find consistent grounds to be upset at all. Theology matters (even an atheistic view has consequences).
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Manhood On The Mind
by on Sep 19th, 2010 at 11:00 pm
Well, the summer will officially come to an end tonight and the fall will ensue. I’m a warm weather person so it is somewhat of a sad day for me. Whether you prefer warm or cold weather, here are some articles that provide heat to sharpen the iron of our mind, heart, and character:
“Sexual Confusion” by Douglas Wilson
Pastor Wilson quickly exposes an aspect to sex that few people consider when discussing the merits or demerits of sexual activity. Literally just a paragraph long, but a meaty paragraph nonetheless.
“Inconvenience and Blood” by Douglas Wilson
Pastor Wilson has the ability to bring out the logic of other people’s arguments and use them to challenge their arguments. If you read the first article suggestion, be sure to read this meaty paragraph.
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Manhood On The Mind
by on Sep 26th, 2010 at 10:45 pm
In terms of news that is relevant to issues of manhood, this past week was a busy one. I have fourteen listed, but that is simply too much at this time. I don’t want you to feel like you are drinking from a firehose! So, here are some of the better articles. On slower weeks, I’ll play “catch up” and send you the others.
“Small Compromises and Great Transgression” by Douglas Wilson
Again, Pastor Wilson’s article is short, to the point, and well worth considering carefully. Even if you are not yet married, the reality of most great transgression is its development through many small decisions. David didn’t wake up one morning with the intent to kill Uriah and decided to sleep with Uriah’s wife so as to launch the process of murder. A series of bad decisions led to a great transgression. So, married or not, take heed of Pastor Wilson’s observation for it is birthed from James 1:14-15.
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Manhood On The Mind
by on Oct 11th, 2010 at 12:15 am
10/10/10 is over and all of the lovebirds out there are now thinking about getting married on 11/11/11 (perhaps even at 11:11).
Here are some articles from last week that could prove beneficial for you.
“Faint Heart Fair Lady” by Douglas Wilson
“Faith is willing for earthly success or failure, whatever the Lord has ordained for us. Cowardice is ultimately willing for neither, because cowardice won’t take the risk of failure that is necessary in order for real success to occur.”
“How Can I Glorify God?” by Kevin DeYoung
Pastor DeYoung’s article is a healthy reminder from the Bible concerning ways that we can honor God with our lives.
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Manhood On The Mind
by on Oct 18th, 2010 at 1:20 am
Outside my window, the men are returning from their Fall Breaks and preparing to reengage their semester work. I’m coming off of a fruitful break that involved not working, spending extended time with my wife and son, hiking along the Little Miami River, and fellowship with friends.
To help you (and me) reengage with our responsibilities, here are five good articles that will feed the mind, and hopefully, heart:
“God Doesn’t Need Renegades” by Darrin Patrick
Darrin’s comments are another reminder that we, as Christian men, are so often out of non-physical shape. Yet, it will be our degree of non-physical shape that will determine our usefulness in this short, earthly life.
“THE Greatest Problem in Evangelical Christianity is Our View of ‘Authority’” by Wade Burleson
Blessed is the man who lacks a milquetoast pastor! You might disagree with Pastor Burleson’s physical reaction to another spiritually and physically abusive pastor, but a good shepherd carries a staff (for his sheep) and a rod (for the wolves).
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Manhood On The Mind
by on Nov 1st, 2010 at 1:15 am
A big weekend has come to an end. My son’s first birthday party was a success. My home is full of toys. I read a very interesting book from William Struthers called Wired for Intimacy: How Pornography Hijacks the Male Brain. My father-in-law has loaned me another interesting book, Paris 1919: Six Months that Changed the World. I hope your weekend was enjoyable.
Now for some good reads:
“Are You Ready to Be a Leader?” by Kevin DeYoung
Pastor DeYoung lists about 20 questions that were provided by J. Oswald Sanders in his great book, Spiritual Leadership, which I read every summer in preparation for the next school year. These questions challenge our readiness for responsibility and are excellent to consider.