Being Male In 2004

When families are functioning well – so will
society

We live in the age of relativism – where everyone is
right, that is, from their own perspective. This, of course,
means that subjectivity rules, and often at the expense of
objectivity. Therefore, our culture is ruled by situational
ethics and its progeny, namely the pursuit of pleasure -
regardless of the cost.

For both male and female, family is a place of sanctuary
designed exclusively by Almighty God.

It is a place where one’s soul is able to be
continuously recharged and restored. And this is why God has
provided principles which safeguard individuals and society in
general. God’s "logical limits" preserve the ability to
enjoy true fulfilment... long term.

One central principle of family which has been dangerously
eroded by today’s politically correct mindsets and peer
group pressure is in the area of "male leadership". Scripturally,
male leadership is clearly outlined as part of the masculine role
and responsibility within both family and further extensions of
community. Add to the mix the areas of shared responsibility,
with men and women having complimentary roles, and we find some
balance.

Many men in ministry and indeed mainstream religion as a
whole, are wrestling with the blurred issues of
‘women’s rights’ and ‘effeminate
males.’

Feminist theory is very diverse but shares a family of
concepts. It is essentially an attempt to understand and address
perceptions of oppression. A particular focus of course is
‘Males as the oppressors’.

As powerful and vocal as this ‘force’ has become -
feminist theory has been woefully inadequate in actually
addressing the heart issues of relationships between men and
women, particularly those of intimacy and companionship. This is
because the movement (which has its extremists, its liberals and
conservatives) has regarded men as being the cause of all social
ills throughout history, e.g. women being treated as unequal in
the workplace and in the home being a deliberate male
construct?

The central issue comes to this: what is the Biblical response
to this imbalance in an era where men’s identity, roles in
family and Christian leadership is so important. Here, I suggest
we return to consider our ultimate model of manhood: Jesus
Christ.

Jesus’ relationship with women was platonic, brotherly,
with respect and with love. Jesus understood friendship and
companionship.

What did He teach about the qualities of leadership? The
greatest would be the least – the place of serving, of
sacrificial love.

I suggest leadership, within marriage, is one of the key
dynamics for men and women to address not as an "I’m in
charge because I’m a man" kind of thinking but rather in
terms of how the responsibilities of family life are shared with
mutual respect and love – that we (men
and women) are ‘not supposed to be equal’ in
terms of design, ability and God’s calling. It is not an
issue of superiority or inferiority – it is an issue of
complimentary roles. And God knew from the beginning that an
imbalance in these roles would lead to confusion around gender,
sexuality and leadership.

The answer to many of the searing questions hurled at
Christian relationships today by the more radical feminist ideas
could be addressed fairly simply: Let our relationships
demonstrate complimentarity? - not subservience. A true
demonstration of compassionate masculinity.

The end times picture of Jesus separating the chaff from the
wheat may well include far more than just the ‘moral
segregation’ we conjure up in our minds when we read the
text. God purposed family from the very beginning and it would
appear that at the end of time, the restoration of families (in
the context of today’s extreme pressure which is destroying
families) will be another vital sign of God’s agenda and
intervention.