In Defense of Masculinity

With the latest Gillette ad causing lots of acrimony I thought I would throw in my two cents. First of all, I’m glad they did it.  It’s not that I agree with every single part of the ad.  And let me just say I’m not a big fan of any ad that leaves me feeling like I’ve just been sanctimoniously lectured.  That being said, I feel like the ad has started a meaningful conversation about men and their behaviors.  The buzz-phrase these days is toxic-masculinity.  In the past we’ve used terms like chauvinistic, sexist, and boorish, and if that is what toxic-masculinity is then count me as being against it one hundred percent.  Except that I think on the part of some, these more obvious obnoxious behaviors are not what they are talking about.  I think some are simply equating masculinity with toxic.  As in anything that happens to emphasize your manliness is a bad thing.  That is where I would part company.  You see I believe that God created me as a man and along with that there are certain masculine aspects of being a man that God intended; the good things about being a man.  The bad things happen when our sin screws up what God intended.  I have a verse that I use at the bottom of all my communication with our men’s group that I think sums up what Godly masculinity might look like.

Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love. 

1^st Corinthians 16:13-14 (E.S.V.)

Even beyond the obvious command to act like men, you can see how the rest of that verse encourages what I might call a healthy masculinity.  The watchful part brings to mind being protective.  We are on the lookout for people or things that might bring harm to those we love.  The more we stand firm in our faith the more we become men of character and integrity; men who do the right thing when it’s easier to do the wrong thing.  And yes we are called to be strong and that’s okay.  Obviously that is referring to more than just physical strength.  It’s also about being dependable, reliable, and courageous.  Of course we can’t rely on the first group of characteristics without the last and most important part of that command; to let all that we do be done in love.  Therein lies the challenge for all men (and women too for that matter).  When we forget the love part, we start doing things out of self-interest and selfish ambition, and yes, that sometimes can lead to a toxic form of masculinity as opposed to the masculinity God calls us to; the masculinity that this verse calls us to.  Let’s embrace the masculinity of 1^st Corinthians 16:13-14.  And come on ladies; isn’t that the kind of man you want in your life?  It’s anything but toxic.  Its men as God intended.