A Man of Valor

Biblical masculinity encompasses those attributes and responsibilities uniquely ascribed to men, reflecting the divine design for their role and purpose. Regrettably, a significant portion of the visible Church today offers incomplete or misguided answers, often emphasizing spiritual qualities to the exclusion of all else, or perhaps conflating masculinity (which applies to men) with general godliness (which applies to men and women, young and old). As one of my friends pointed out, when examining a typical definition of masculinity from a Reformed evangelical, "I guess my Grandma is more masculine than anyone I have ever met." Brothers, we have to stop conflating specific masculinity with general godliness. Many assert that biblical masculinity is solely defined by spiritual virtues such as pursuing God's heart or being empowered by the Holy Spirit. While these are indispensable in each Christian's life, such a view risks reductionism, shaped by a subtle form of Gnosticism that seems to pervade modern Christian thought in the West. This Gnostic tendency dismisses the physical as inconsequential, exalting the spiritual as the sole domain of virtue. This must be corrected. The doctrine derived from David's example is this: Biblical masculinity is defined by both spiritual and physical realities, employing both body and soul to enjoy and glorify the Lord.