Manhood, being a man, is a gift from God. God has designed men with certain attributes different than women. Specifically, man is: to love; to serve; to protect; to provide; to train; to lead.
Highlights of the Episode:
Nurture
Genesis 1 and 2 – God has created everything with a proper Order. He created mankind in His image with the intent that mankind would be the crown of creation. God has given Adam purpose, direction, and motivation – even before the creation of woman; even before the Fall into sin. Yet, that purpose, direction, and motivation is fully realized only when Eve, the Woman, is created. When God has completed His work, He reflects and says, “This is very good.”
Included in that good order is the responsibility is the Spiritual responsibility that Adam had for Eve. That same good order still exists today – men are responsible for the providing and protecting the Spiritual well-being of their families.
Families are gifts from God and are to be stewarded as gifts from God.
Care
Genesis 3 – Mankind fell into sin. Eve was deceived by the Serpent; Adam abdicated his role to protect his wife. The Fall completely taints all the goodness that God had embedded in creation. The relationship between God and mankind, the relationship between man and woman, and the relationship between mankind and creation are thoroughly corrupted by sin. Yet, out of God’s mercy, by God’s grace – God promises salvation and redemption (Genesis 3:15). God gives an example of this mercy and grace in His provision of clothing (Genesis 3:21). God will undo all that the Serpent brought into the world through His Own Son, Jesus Christ.
“Three Step Plan”
1) Repentance – Answering God’s question: Where are you?
2) Speak the Gospel – Speak the promises of God in Christ to each other
3) Vocation – Carry out whatever you have been given to do – as unto the Lord (Colossians 3:23)
Training Up Our Young Boys and Girls
- Model your relationship with God – Pray. Read God’s Word. Sing the faith. Go to church – bring your family to church
- Make your relationship with your spouse an example – Speak forgiveness; live reconciliation with each other; praise, love your spouse
- Display the roles of men and women – teach them to expect that of other young men and women
Honor
Ephesians 5:22-33 – Submission has to do with being in the correct order. The majority of those verses focus on the husband’s responsibility – and this is an extremely tall task. Yet, for your failures in carrying out those tasks – repent, confess it, and believe the Gospel that Christ has died for your sins. Then, in that forgiveness, in the grace, get back out there and live the way God has designed.
Coleman’s Word of the Day
Order – Genesis 1:31 “And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.” God’s order is good and is for our good. Our problem is the sinful nature in us that despises His order. We need to fight against those inclinations in us. When God’s order reveals our sin, repent. Ask Him for forgiveness. Ask Him for strength to continue in His good order.
AJ’s Word of the Day
Responsibility – Ecclesiastes 3:12 -13 – I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God’s gift to man.
References in the Episode:
Jordan Peterson – (EXPLICIT LANGUAGE WARNING)
Manhood Matters: Why Society Needs ‘Good Men’ – AJ discusses what traits men should display using the Army Values as a framework.
The Doctrine of the Order of Creation – Coleman overviews Genesis 1 and 2 and the account of God’s ordering the creation.
Forgiveness Forms Faithful Fathers – Article on the centrality of forgiveness to the life of a Christian. Forgiveness from Christ is not simply a one-time event but is a truth we must return to daily.
Now What? Salvation – AJ defines and applies Salvation for the Christian.
Martin Luther – “We are all beggars; this is true.” – Sometime after this, the quote morphed into “We are beggars telling other beggars where to find bread.”
