trendy topic in church circles in at least the last decade has been masculinity: whether lamenting the apparent effeminateness of Christian men particularly in liberal churches, on the one hand, or examples of "toxic masculinity" in other evangelical churches - whether extreme examples that are mis-cast as characteristic of the whole, or more subtle examples of a masculinity that is controversial to some, but not universally obviously "wrong". There is also the complementarian vs egalitarian debate about gender roles. My purpose is not to provide examples: if you cannot think of any off hand, they are well documented and easily found elsewhere.

Instead, my purpose is to share some thoughts about Biblical masculinity in the hopes of stirring you up to think with me about the subject.

Any thinking about, discussion about, or pursuit of masculinity - for honest, well-intentioned Christians - should start with, I think, these questions:

Who is defining the masculinity that you pursue, and what is the philosophical basis of their recommendations? Are they in accord with what the Bible says?

What is the goal and purpose of your consciously pursuing masculinity? If you dismiss the question with a vaguely pious answer that it is to honor God by performing the gender role He has given you, how are you making sure that your understanding of your role and your exercising of your masculinity is honoring God by obeying Him, seeking His glory and not your own?

You might then move on to thinking about what biblical masculinity is not, and then what God positively asserts about masculinity. Just a few examples of the former, to get our thoughts moving:

1. Biblical masculinity is not lording it over other people (Matthew 20:25-26). My church has this enshrined in its constitution: elected officials (elders including the pastor; deacons are non-authoritative) are not to lord it over the congregation. They are to lead, to admonish and correct out of a spirit of love and truth pursuing peace and reconciliation with God and each other, and they are to be appointed because they have the temperament and have exhibited the requisite graces to achieve this difficult work. Similarly, at home and in life, all men pursuing biblical masculinity are not to lord it over other people. This is because men who pursue biblical masculinity are...

2. ...not full of self-aggrandizement, unwilling and unable to recognize the contributions of others or acknowledging their own limitations and the benefit of the wisdom of others (Proverbs 15:22), or of the dignity of other people and their opinions (James 1:19). Putting people down and shutting people down might be acceptably masculine to secular society (in some eras), but what is biblical about that as a habit of personality? On the other side of self-aggrandizement, winning friends and influencing people is nice, but is that where your chief end is supposed to be directed?

3. Biblical masculinity is not a facade: not confined to physical characteristics or outward impression (1 Samuel 16:7; Matthew 15:11).

Another thought about what masculinity is not, before moving on to what it might be: being masculine does not require being physically intimidating or being an alpha male. Some men do look intimidating or are alpha male type leaders, which is fine but not a pre-requisite. You are not off the hook for pursuing masculinity just because of how you look or feel about your image.

Yet negatives do not affirm anything and are not convincing. A couple thoughts about what true masculinity is, in which I hope to alleviate concerns you might be feeling that I am proposing some soft, non-offensive, unambitious personality type as somehow being biblically masculine:

1. A biblically masculine male will take the lead, in his domains, without seeking to dominate others (especially those he is called to love and protect).

2. A biblically masculine male is able to defend himself and his own and prepared to fight for that purpose, but does not pursue such capabilities or use such capabilities for the sake of aggression, the enjoyment of indulgence in violence, or bloodlust

3. Biblical masculinity requires understanding your calling, and recognizing the time and place for all things (Ecclesiastes 3:1). This enables there to still be exceptional George Washington types who arise to meet the needs of the era. Christians have the Holy Spirit to help guide and inspire for recognizing and meeting such times (Luke 12:12). God may or may not work through you in particular as a leading star character in such historical moments.

In summary, concluding these non-comprehensive thoughts, biblical masculinity will be first and foremost channeled to God's purposes and subject to Him.

Perhaps it might be easier to think in terms of nobility rather than masculinity. As co-heirs with Jesus, we (including females, but I am calling men to nobility here) are called to nobility. Not the nobility of kings of the world (taking multiple wives, cutting off heads of people who displease you, expecting people to bow to you) but nobility of character in justice, righteousness, faithfulness, truth, courage, and serving and looking after the needs of others. Subject to God. Our nobility is received by grace, certainly not of our deserving. We are representative of God in how we conduct our noble masculinity.

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