Seth Troutt wrote an article for Mere Orthodoxy entitled “The Masculinity pyramid.” It is brief, to the point, and well expressed. I hope I can do justice to the article in this short blog. I will be quoting extensively from his remarkable insight. You will need to visualize a pyramid of the four part masculine pyramid with humility at the foundation, followed by discipline, responsibility, and strength.
Troutt begins by acknowledging that we are in a masculine crisis. Instead of starting with sociology or biology, he suggests that we start with ontology. “A vision for men rooted in a hierarchy of being would have the power to both transcend and critique cultures.” “It’s not just asking quality questions, but asking them in the right order” Troutt notes. “This is important if we want to reclaim a healthy vision of masculinity.”
Here is the order of questions to ask, making up the pyramid: 1) How is a man different from God? 2) How is a man different from an animal? 3) How is a man different from a boy? 4) How is a man different from a woman? “Like a pyramid, these four core questions build upon one another…..As we develop clarity around what a man is not to be, we’ll develop a compelling vision both of what a man is and what he is becoming.”
First, man is a creature, not Creator. “Man is under the mighty hand of God. Humility is the virtue provoked by this difference……The very form of man is humble ……. a man will never be who God is asking him to be if he lacks the considerate, curious, teachability that follow from humility.”
Secondly, man is a unique creature. “Animals are governed by instincts and appetites…..Man has the capacity to be governed by vision, to say no to certain lesser desires in light of the greater purpose…The virtue described here could be called self-control, self-conquest, or discipline.“
Thirdly, a man is not a boy. “Boys need guardians because they cannot take care of themselves and cannot be trusted to make wise choices……Responsibility is the virtue provoked by this difference…..A man who has yet to become responsible flounders like Peter Pan.”
Fourthly, a man is different from a woman. “The heightened presence of testosterone is the reason men are stronger than women…testosterone makes men more aggressive…..strength and aggression present in the male sex was meant to serve a purpose.”
Troutt then suggests toxic masculinity comes in two forms. “First, male aggression that lacks responsibility, discipline, or humility before God and secondly, male abdication that lacks all rightly ordered aggression.” He further suggests, “Toxic masculinity Type 1 is domination, [and] chauvinism ………Toxic masculinity Type 2 is impotent, passive, and reveals itself in characters like many men who sit in the pews of our churches.”
Troutt closes with these words, “Abuse is rampant, evil, and not to be taken lightly. Churches must discipline abusers. Yet, male abdication is also everywhere…..Like an ox without a yoke, testosterone without humility, discipline, and responsibility is a liability. But, when we ‘take up His yoke’ testosterone can be an asset, not a toxin.”
I close with Matthew 11:28-9 (Phillips), where Jesus instructs us to put on “His” yoke. It will be unique for every man. We are to follow Jesus not the culture. “Come to me, all of you who are weary and over-burdened, and I will give you rest. Put on my yoke and learn from me. For I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
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