My high school freshman son read this today and it pushed him into asking “why do I/you do _____” (fill in the blank with sport he’s playing, my work, becoming a pastor, etc…) and glorifying God, serving neighbors for good, etc…. Are all things that came up in our conversation, but I know young men struggle to begin to answer the “why”. I agree so many of us are resigned, reckless, or just rude; and masculine in our culture needs a refresh.
Personally, I have found myself in environments in our culture that any hint of being a man (or manly) seemed off base. Which begs questions about expressive individualism clashing incoherently with the denial of differences. I could have been feeling those vibes or emotions wrong in the settings I am thinking of in this moment , but it seemed (hypothetically) as if the group wished us all androgynous.
PS - “severe sacrifice” as a husband… please pray for me and all our brothers in this, we sure need more of this in our world
These are really good, even great, thoughts. ( :) ). In conversations with my husband about this, I've used "initiative" as the word I think best evokes a kind of directional compass for masculinity (contra "invitation" for femininity). Heroism is its goal, and virtue is its true north. The goal must be to promote, affirm, and steer the exercise of initiative towards heroic ends.
"It honors GOD to risk failure for the good"!
Profound words my friend and a great summation of the virtue of courage.
DT
So excited for you to read this next book.
Sitting on ready. Have been doing a deep dive into Stoicism lately. Epictetus, Seneca, et. al. looking forward to your musings on this topic.
dt
Thank you Alan.
My high school freshman son read this today and it pushed him into asking “why do I/you do _____” (fill in the blank with sport he’s playing, my work, becoming a pastor, etc…) and glorifying God, serving neighbors for good, etc…. Are all things that came up in our conversation, but I know young men struggle to begin to answer the “why”. I agree so many of us are resigned, reckless, or just rude; and masculine in our culture needs a refresh.
Personally, I have found myself in environments in our culture that any hint of being a man (or manly) seemed off base. Which begs questions about expressive individualism clashing incoherently with the denial of differences. I could have been feeling those vibes or emotions wrong in the settings I am thinking of in this moment , but it seemed (hypothetically) as if the group wished us all androgynous.
PS - “severe sacrifice” as a husband… please pray for me and all our brothers in this, we sure need more of this in our world
These are really good, even great, thoughts. ( :) ). In conversations with my husband about this, I've used "initiative" as the word I think best evokes a kind of directional compass for masculinity (contra "invitation" for femininity). Heroism is its goal, and virtue is its true north. The goal must be to promote, affirm, and steer the exercise of initiative towards heroic ends.