I have found  Anthony Bradley to have keen insights on the struggle of men in our culture.   He has recently published a study in Exodus.  In a recent blog he notes, “In the grand spiritual war against God’s people, the enemy’s strategy is both ancient and terrifyingly consistent: to dismantle the Church, and attacks its men.  This is a demonic tactic, aimed at severing covenant confidence, breaking the chain of leadership, and leaving God’s people exposed and defenseless.”  Bradley goes on to argues, “the life of Moses, detailed in Exodus, serves as the ultimate case study, revealing the mechanics of this demonic assault  and more importantly God’s powerful counter-strategy for forging the kind of faithful manhood that can withstand it.” 

His use of Exodus has been informative.  “The assault begins with Pharaoh’s decree to kill all Hebrew male infants, an act of political brutality that is at its core a spiritual objective,” observes Bradley. “The devil, seeking to prevent the rise of a prophesied deliverer, finds a willing partner in a ruler consumed by what psychoanalyst Karen Horney identified as ‘neurotic pride.'”   Neurotic pride exposes Pharoah as being vulnerable, causing him to response in rage.  This psychological fragility is called by scholar R.J. Rummel, “democide:” the murder of a people by their own  government. 

Bradley maintains, “centuries later, the devil’s playbook is run again with chilling precision. When King Herod hears of the birth of a rival ‘king of the Jews,’ the same neurotic pride is wounded.  His response is the identical demonic strategy: kill the boys of Bethlehem to eliminate the infant Christ ( Matt 1:18-2:23).  This recurring pattern confirms a demonic agenda, not a historical anomaly.”

Desiring to take my place in our culture, as a man committed to the Lord, I need to be forewarned that as a nation we are under spiritual attack.  Being under spiritual attack is often overlooked, when we consider the breakup of the family.  Patriarchy – the leadership and headship of men is under attack.  Various radical movements, according to Mary  Eberstadt exposes “the threefold crisis of filial attachment that has beset the Western world for more than a half a century.  Deprived of father, Father, and partria, a critical mass of humanity has become socially dysfunctional on a scale not seen before.” Young men, today, “have been left alone in the cosmos with nothing to guide them, not even a firm grasp of what constitutes their basic humanity, and no means of finding the way home.”

 I look back with some regret at the first hears of my marriage (marriage -1965).  I did not  comprehend my role as husband and father, while wanting to follow and serve Jesus.  I was  ordained as a pastor, before scripture helped me see my place as man of God in my family.  The turning point  was the reading of Larry Christianson’s book “The Christian Family” (1970).  I read Larry’s explanation of Eph. 5:25, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” I have never read anything as convicting since those days in the early 70’s.

As a result, only by the grace of God and my continually crying out for his mercy, I have remained faithful in my role as husband and father since reading Larry’s book over 60 years ago.  For me, it has meant the following.  First, I have not abandoned my post, even though I have wanting to give up responsibility.  Secondly, I have kept at my post in the continual battle with the enemy.  And thirdly, I am thankful that God has carried me this far.  I want to help others to stay at their post.