Luke Simon had an interesting article about masculinity in Mere Orthodoxy.  He ponders the question, asked by Barb Weiss, “How do we bring back heroic masculinity without bringing back toxic masculinity?” Weiss was in discussion with Louise Perry, author of “The Case Against the Sexual Revolution,” in which Perry suggests, “the sexual revolution has largely benefited men while leaving women more vulnerable and unhappy.  She acknowledged that a return to a Christian sexual ethic offers women greater protection and security. “

But there is no need to reinvent masculinity.  “What we need”, suggests Simon, “is a return to cruciform masculinity – a strength that serves, a power that protects, and a leadership that sacrifices.” Today, our culture seems to offer two extreme versions of masculinities.  On one hand, a masculinity that is toxic, which needs to be softened or even erased.  On the other hand, a masculinity that is brutal, aggressive, and dominant, in which masculinity is weaponized.  Each extreme can leave men confused.    

Jesus’ example offers men a different vision.  Simon gives this description of Jesus: “He was neither passive nor oppressive.   He was fierce yet gentle, authoritative yet humble.  He protected the weak, challenged corruption and served the outcast.  His strength was not wielded for his own gain but for the good of others.  And he ultimately laid down his life – not out of weakness, but out of the greatest strength of all: the strength to love sacrificially.”  

A desire for “heroic” masculinity can be seen as a longing for cruciform masculinity, “because true heroism has always been about sacrifice, and there is no greater sacrifice than the cross.”  If women in our culture are looking for a heroic masculinity, there is no need to look to self-proclaimed alpha males.  We need men who are shaped by Christ.  “Their strength is not for power, but for service.  Not for control, but for love.  Not for status, but for sacrifice.”  

So, the question of how to bring back heroic masculinity without bringing back toxic masculinity is for men being formed in the image of Christ.  Simon wonder, “maybe the problem isn’t that we have too much masculinity.  Maybe we don’t have enough of the right kind.  We need more men shaped by the sacrificial love of Christ, more men who know their power is for protecting, not exploiting.  More men called to a greater story than their own success.”  

Then as a younger male, Simon makes this statement that is a challenge to me as an “old guy.”  “Maybe that’s why Gen. Z men like me are staying in church.  In a culture that is confused about our purpose, the church tells us, we are responsible, needed, and called to something higher.  We are looking for purpose, direction and identity – and we are finding it in the example of Jesus.”  

As an “old guy” who has been blogging on “the wildman journey,” I sense a move of God among young men, who are seeking a “safe place” where they can “rub shoulders” with older seasoned men who have walked with the Lord through the “thick and thin” of modern life, and still have a confident, humble, winsome walk with the Lord.  I sense that the author of this article, Luke Simon is such an individual.  

Peter seemed to be addressing such a “safe place” among men when he said, “You who are younger must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another.” ( I Peter 5:5). Peter is speaking to a right order of mutual sharing among men expressed in humility.  Gen. Z hungers for such a space among men.