Be A Man
I was a blubbering mess at my wedding. I get pretty emotional at times, so it was no surprise to anyone present. However, the irony was in the words that triggered my meltdown. My father, who was officiating the wedding, said to me, "Son, be a man." Those four words reduced me to a sniveling fountain of tears.
All I can say is my definition of manliness has to involve a few tears. It's just the way I'm wired.
"Manliness" is the title of a new book by Harvey C. Mansfield, a conservative professor of government at Harvard University. The thrust of his argument is that manliness, which he sums up as "confidence in the face of risk," is a misunderstood and unappreciated attribute.
Ruth Marcus, a columnist for the Washington Post, takes issue with Mansfield's position, blaming the manliness of the Bush administration for our troubles in Iraq, the deficit, and the slow response in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. She says, "What this country could use is a little less manliness--and a little more of what you would describe as womanly qualities: restraint, introspection, a desire for consensus, maybe even a touch of self-doubt."
I don't disagree that this world could use more individuals with womanly qualities. However, aren't there enough women without having to emasculate our men? Marcus's comments are part of a broader scheme that will not rest until there is not a real man left standing. True, this world needs more real women. But it needs more real men too.
There is a difference between being a man and merely being male. Scripture plainly bears this out. From his deathbed David advised his son Solomon, "Be strong, and show yourself a man" (1 Kgs. 2:2). Jehovah commanded Jeremiah to "run to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem...search her squares to see if you can find a man..." (Jer. 5:1). Paul admonished the Corinthians, "Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong" (1 Cor. 16:13). None of these statements makes sense if "man" is defined in terms of the male sex. Biblically a man is more than male--he is virtuous, courageous, devout, and full of integrity.
Fathers, teach your boys to be men. Mothers, teach your girls to be women--not just females, but ladies with feminine qualities. The world will be a better place.
