Thoughts on Manhood

Westerners today value many things, but manhood isn't one of them. Our culture tells us that men are arrogant, stupid, shortsighted, and selfish. Our society dismisses courage as bravado, and denounces chivalry as chauvinism. Yet history & Scripture paint a rich picture of what men are to be and how they are to conduct themselves. Much profit can be gained by examining the attributes of godly men as evidenced by our forefathers.

Courage (The Battle of Maldon)

In 991 A.D. The British Earl Birhtnoth led his thanes against the Viking raiders that threatened the security of Essex. As the sea-wolves cut down the English defenders and finally killed Birhtnoth many warriors began to flee in terror. As the tide of battle turned fear began to grip the defenders. Until, at the last moment, a young thane by the name of Ælfwine spoke these words: “Remember the speeches we have spoken so often over our mead, when we raised boast on the bench, heroes in the hall, about hard fighting. Now may the man who is bold prove that he is.” With these words he “went forward, bent on revenge, and with the point of his spear pierced one of the pirate band, so that he lay on the earth, destroyed by the weapon.” Ælfwine's example of manly bravery illustrates one of the characteristics of a godly man: courage. The Bible is replete with examples of courageous men who faced danger and difficulty with firm resolve. As Paul reminds us in Philippians 1:20 “[I]t is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.”

Wisdom (Erasmus of Rotterdam)

But courage is not enough. In 1516 the renaissance scholar Erasmus wrote an admonition to the young Prince Charles, grandson of the Emperor Maximilian. Erasmus opens his letter by reminding the Prince that “Wisdom in itself is a wonderful thing...” Wisdom is another attribute of a godly man, and a subject about which the Scriptures often speak. King Solomon, the wisest man in history, reminds us in Ecclesiastes 9:17 that “The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools.” As Proverbs 1:7 says “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

Humility (Marcus Aurelius)

The ancient Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius was a man renowned for his wisdom. While on campaign against the barbarian hordes in 170-180 A.D. He wrote his famous Meditations. In this great work he gives a warning particularly well suited to young men when he says: “Do not act as if thou wert going to live ten thousand years. Death hangs over thee. While thou livest, while it is in thy power, be good.” Marcus Aurelius's reminder of both our mortality and our duty illustrates another characteristic of a godly man: humility. Without an awareness of our own frailty, and of God's infinite power, courage and wisdom are useless. It is through humility that we submit ourselves to God. As Proverbs 15:33 reminds us: “The fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.”

The 6^th century Roman philosopher Boethius closes his great work The Consolation of Philosophy with these words: “Avoid vice, therefore, and cultivate virtue; lift up your mind to the right kind of hope, and put forth humble prayers on high. A great necessity is laid upon you, if you will be honest with yourself, a great necessity to be good, since you live in the sight of a judge who sees all things.”