Seth Troutt, a young pastor in Arizona, articulates masculine issues in an insightful manner.  In a recent article entitled, “A dearth of vital virtues,” he contends that our society has a masculinity shortage.  In our culture, the description of masculinity as “toxic” is a binary word, being an either-or reality; either a man is too toxic, or he isn’t.  But male toxicity can be viewed as not having enough male energy. The question then becomes when does masculinity become toxic?  “The world suffers,” observes Troutt, “not from too much, but from too little, healthy masculine presence.”  

“Masculinity has to do with male energy and male presence” notes Troutt, “what a man feels like relationally and what his contribution is to the world.”  In understanding masculinity there are two basic assumptions.  “One perspective envisions masculinity as inherently toxic in the binary sense.”  In this view male leadership, aggression and ambition are basically toxic, seeing masculinity energy as domination and controlling.  Masculinity is like a cancer. It needs to be eliminated.  The second perspective is more nuanced, seeing  the amount of toxic masculinity as expressed  harmful. “Too much of anything can prove to be ‘toxic.'”  

Influencers like Andrew Tate can be seen as having too much masculinity.  “The antidote …would be to tone it down, to embrace a more balanced or androgynous energy.”  But Troutt believes there is a lack of God given masculinity.  “Our culture is suffering not from too much of a possible dangerous thing.  Instead, we’re suffering from too little of a necessary thing. We don’t have a toxic masculinity problem.  We have an anemic masculinity problem,” not enough godly masculinity.

What is anemic masculinity?  “Like a body with chronically low amounts of iron can develop anemia, a culture or a person with chronically low nutrients develops an anemic masculine.  What are the aspects of masculinity that are most lacking?” In Troutt’s view the discussion regarding toxic masculinity gets things mostly wrong.  For example, Troutt points out, “A chauvinist isn’t too masculine.  He’s not masculine enough. He sticks out for what he lacks: chivalry and humility.” Troutt points out four characteristics of godly masculinity.

First, “a godly masculinity will always present as humility.”  Instead surrendering in the face of the voices of “toxic” criticism. men should be bold and stand in their God given masculinity.  Male energy is expressed in servanthood. Jesus said, “The greatest among you will be your servant” (Matt 23:11). 

Secondly, “a proper masculinity will see his desires as fundamentally good, but nonetheless disordered.” As an example, the desire for sex is normal, but lust is too much.  A godly expression of masculinity is deeply aware of sexuality, but has surrendered the passions to be rightly ordered by God.

Thirdly, “the true vision for masculinity is of a man who can take care of himself.”  He is focused on giving himself first to others.  He sees himself as a servant of others.  He does not project been a victim.

Fourthly, “an authentic masculinity will recognize the reality of male power and use it to honor and uplift.”  Men are encouragers.

As an elderly male, who has been concerned with issues of masculinity for over 30 years, I admire this young man for his courage.  I agree with his challenge at the end of his article.  “The absence of masculine strength-in-action means that bad players thrive while the weak and timid suffer.  We are to beat back wolves, not coddle them and delve into their back stories.  We are to warn divisive and unruly people while driving out the leaven that threatens the whole lump.  Shirking of responsibility is wildly non-masculine.”