Amy, I appreciate this series. I often think of Paul's glory in his own weakness because it showed Christ's strenth, because I too experience chronic weakness. It has always been God's plan that he would build his Kingdom through human weakness and frailty. Jesus rejected Satan's offer of worldly power and the, just before his crucifixion, told Pontius Pilate, "My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would fight, so that I wouldn’t be handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.” (John 18:36). Jesus Christ won his victory by laying down his glory and his life, the exact opposite of what worldly wisdom says to do, and he told his disciples that those who wanted to be greatest in his kingdom must serve others, and anyone who wanted to join his kingdom must become like a little child. God delights in turning the way of the world upside down, as Paul points out in I Corinthians 1:27-29:
'But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God."
This series has been incredible so far. I love where the crossroads of history touch on theology in new and interesting ways. Excited for the next one!
This was an excellent article. However with all due respect we cannot compare the state of manhood as it was when Jesus roamed.
The church has taken a distinct feminine trajectory towards lessening man’s unique place in the hierarchy of Gods construct. The feminization of the church has produced a sense that if men act like men they are sinning which is far from truth.
Men are to be gentle when called for. Men need to lead. Men to fight when called for. None of these attributes are against scripture.
I cannot speak for all churches, all men, or all women. Neither can I speak for Christ. I can simply repeat what is revealed in the Scriptures. Jesus’ teachings have been making people uncomfortable for 2,000 years. Every one of us finds something about them hard to stomach. That is the revelation of our sinfulness. We must put our trust in Christ as our righteousness and justification, but he is calling us to a higher kind of life based on radical love. That is what it means to live for the good of our neighbor. If you want to know what a man should look like, there is no better exemplar than the incarnate Son of God.
Amy, I appreciate this series. I often think of Paul's glory in his own weakness because it showed Christ's strenth, because I too experience chronic weakness. It has always been God's plan that he would build his Kingdom through human weakness and frailty. Jesus rejected Satan's offer of worldly power and the, just before his crucifixion, told Pontius Pilate, "My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would fight, so that I wouldn’t be handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.” (John 18:36). Jesus Christ won his victory by laying down his glory and his life, the exact opposite of what worldly wisdom says to do, and he told his disciples that those who wanted to be greatest in his kingdom must serve others, and anyone who wanted to join his kingdom must become like a little child. God delights in turning the way of the world upside down, as Paul points out in I Corinthians 1:27-29:
'But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God."
Good reminders.
This series has been incredible so far. I love where the crossroads of history touch on theology in new and interesting ways. Excited for the next one!
Thanks for reading!
This was a fascinating read! I look forward to the rest of the series
Thanks for reading!
This was an excellent article. However with all due respect we cannot compare the state of manhood as it was when Jesus roamed.
The church has taken a distinct feminine trajectory towards lessening man’s unique place in the hierarchy of Gods construct. The feminization of the church has produced a sense that if men act like men they are sinning which is far from truth.
Men are to be gentle when called for. Men need to lead. Men to fight when called for. None of these attributes are against scripture.
I cannot speak for all churches, all men, or all women. Neither can I speak for Christ. I can simply repeat what is revealed in the Scriptures. Jesus’ teachings have been making people uncomfortable for 2,000 years. Every one of us finds something about them hard to stomach. That is the revelation of our sinfulness. We must put our trust in Christ as our righteousness and justification, but he is calling us to a higher kind of life based on radical love. That is what it means to live for the good of our neighbor. If you want to know what a man should look like, there is no better exemplar than the incarnate Son of God.