Men and manhood are under attack in our culture. The phrase “toxic masculinity” is tossed around indiscriminately to describe any negative behavior associated with men and often used to define manhood and denigrate men.
Dr. Nancy Pearcey, noted apologist on the faculty of Houston Christian University, has written an important new book challenging these assertions. Her book, The Toxic War on Masculinity, is an outstanding rebuttal to the mythology, dubious claims, and outright lies about men and manhood that are pervasive today. She rests her arguments on data gathered from legitimate studies at major universities and historical analysis vetted by secular and religious leaders. By sharing the personal aspects of her negative experiences with men, she lends additional credibility to her ultimate conclusions. Rather than extrapolate her experiences into supposedly universal insights, she uses them to motivate her search for truth. That’s a refreshing approach from an academic leader honestly following the facts, not fostering her own agenda.
As the title suggests, Dr. Pearcey believes the war on masculinity—not men or manhood—is the most toxic aspect of this issue. She explains how the concept of “toxic masculinity” developed and why perpetuating the concepts associated with it is essential for people committed to social re-engineering the concept of manhood. The war on masculinity is more toxic to our culture than the impact of masculine men.
One refreshing (and sobering) insight in this book is the reporting of studies which show the impact of religious faith on stability in marriage. Men who demonstrate religious commitments (defined as regular church attendance) have the lowest divorce rates—decidedly lower than secular men. But men who are nominal religious adherents (claim a religious faith but do not practice it) have the highest divorce rate of all—even greater than secular men. Nominally committed men, who are often held up as negative examples of toxic masculinity, make it seem like religiosity leads to toxicity. The studies show real religious commitment does not, but nominal commitment does.
This book is an essential resource for men, people who work with men, and for mothers of boys. Its insights and information are useful for shaping men’s ministries, marriage training, and parenting strategies for mothers (and fathers) of boys. We need helpful resources like this to counter the deluge of misinformation about men, manhood, and masculinity. Reading this book will make you a better man, and help you make better men as well.
Read More
Excerpt — Towards a Clearer Understanding of Jonathan Edwards’s Biblical Typology: A Case Study in the ‘Blank Bible’
Dr. Cameron Schweitzer provides new insights into Jonathan Edwards’s often mischaracterized typology.
Seeing the Unseen
CSBC Women’s Ministry Director Cathie Smith shares how the church can serve the marginalized in its community.
Listen
Historical Books | 1 & 2 Chronicles
What is the purpose of 1st and 2nd Chronicles if a huge part of the content is just repeated from 1st and 2nd Kings? Chronicles has more of an emphasis on David as the ideal king. In this episode, Dr. Wegner takes a look at the historical context and literary content
Historical Books | Kings Part 4
Tyler and Dr. Wegner finish up the books of Kings and the downward spiral of Kings in Israel and Judah that lead to the exile of all the people.
Watch
Jonathan Edwards and the Asbury Revival
Chris Chun and Chris Woznicki discuss the signs of true revival, signs of the work of the Holy Spirit, and why it is important to critically assess the characteristics of revival in a spirit of charity.
Jonathan Edwards and the Baptists | Douglas Sweeney, Nathan Finn and Chris Chun
Dr. Douglas Sweeney and Dr. Nathan Finn joined Dr. Chris Chun for a panel discussion on Jonathan Edwards, recorded live at the SBC Annual Meeting in Anaheim.