Recently, I attended the Newfrontiers-USA Equipped for Mission Conference, and one of our guest speakers was Ed Stetzer. Ed believes that gender roles are a huge issue in culture right now and that Christians should engage in the discussion. I also read William Bennett’s controversial article this week, “Why Men Are in Trouble,” and last year I caught Hanna Rosin’s article in The Atlantic, ominously titled “The End of Men.” It seems like American culture is collectively asking, “So what’s the deal with guys?” I wanted to pause and think through my response to this question, and to ask for your thoughts, too, GLR readers. Here’s where I’m at so far.
First, I don’t think men are the problem. I think sin is the problem.
Secondly, all the failures of men and women were paid for by Jesus Christ at the Cross. The sinful nature we inherited from Adam died with Jesus, and now we live a new life in Him. We wear His righteousness, embrace His mission, and enjoy His reward. We also have the Holy Spirit, transforming our minds, bodies, and hearts from instruments of sin into instruments of right living and right relationship with God. Despite the stats, I am not hopeless about the future of men because I think that God will continue to win the hearts of those caught in downward spirals and give them purpose.
The third conclusion I’ve come to is that I don’t need to spend much time dwelling on the problems that Rosin and Bennett point out. I know that many women, single or married, are frustrated by the extended adolesence they sometimes observe in men, especially those in their 20s and 30s. Honestly, me, too. Sometimes I get this idea that it will help me to talk about it. But I also know that my tendency to nag and complain is always looking for an excuse to make an appearance. I want to say things like, “Finally! Some stats to back up what I’ve been saying all along!” That’s really, really not helpful. I don’t need to keep reminding myself that men have problems. (As stated before, their biggest problem is the same as mine: sin.) What I need to do is find a way to respond that glorifies God and encourages men toward all that God intends for them.
Today, I read Genesis 2-3. Adam was given dominion over the garden, and Eve was uniquely made to help him function in that role. He wrote the first love song for her in Gen. 2:23. They tended the garden together and enjoyed daily conversation with God as they carried out their assignment. Sounds ideal to me. But somewhere along the way, things began to break down. Eve started hanging around the wrong tree and eyeing that forbidden fruit. Her conversations with the serpent started to make more sense than her conversations with God. Adam didn’t interfere, and she didn’t ask his input. Eve was deceived; Adam followed her lead. The issues that arose between the first man and the first woman are not very different from the ones discussed in the articles above.
Both Adam and Eve failed to obey God. Both men and women still fail in that respect.
Sisters, if we are frustrated by men who appear to be reluctant, apathetic, or immature, let's humbly consider the path that Eve went down and firmly decide not to go there. We have a perfect example of how to respond to the "problem with men" in Jesus Christ. Our Lord reacts with compassion (not anger) when he observes weakness; He hasn’t given up hope but is fully confident in His ability to make disciples of all men; and He intercedes constantly on the saints’ behalf. Who cares about the statistics?! Let's remain gracious, hopeful, and prayerful, because we want to be part of a vibrant church where men and women are fully embracing what God has called us to together.
First, I don’t think men are the problem. I think sin is the problem.
Secondly, all the failures of men and women were paid for by Jesus Christ at the Cross. The sinful nature we inherited from Adam died with Jesus, and now we live a new life in Him. We wear His righteousness, embrace His mission, and enjoy His reward. We also have the Holy Spirit, transforming our minds, bodies, and hearts from instruments of sin into instruments of right living and right relationship with God. Despite the stats, I am not hopeless about the future of men because I think that God will continue to win the hearts of those caught in downward spirals and give them purpose.
The third conclusion I’ve come to is that I don’t need to spend much time dwelling on the problems that Rosin and Bennett point out. I know that many women, single or married, are frustrated by the extended adolesence they sometimes observe in men, especially those in their 20s and 30s. Honestly, me, too. Sometimes I get this idea that it will help me to talk about it. But I also know that my tendency to nag and complain is always looking for an excuse to make an appearance. I want to say things like, “Finally! Some stats to back up what I’ve been saying all along!” That’s really, really not helpful. I don’t need to keep reminding myself that men have problems. (As stated before, their biggest problem is the same as mine: sin.) What I need to do is find a way to respond that glorifies God and encourages men toward all that God intends for them.
Today, I read Genesis 2-3. Adam was given dominion over the garden, and Eve was uniquely made to help him function in that role. He wrote the first love song for her in Gen. 2:23. They tended the garden together and enjoyed daily conversation with God as they carried out their assignment. Sounds ideal to me. But somewhere along the way, things began to break down. Eve started hanging around the wrong tree and eyeing that forbidden fruit. Her conversations with the serpent started to make more sense than her conversations with God. Adam didn’t interfere, and she didn’t ask his input. Eve was deceived; Adam followed her lead. The issues that arose between the first man and the first woman are not very different from the ones discussed in the articles above.
Both Adam and Eve failed to obey God. Both men and women still fail in that respect.
Sisters, if we are frustrated by men who appear to be reluctant, apathetic, or immature, let's humbly consider the path that Eve went down and firmly decide not to go there. We have a perfect example of how to respond to the "problem with men" in Jesus Christ. Our Lord reacts with compassion (not anger) when he observes weakness; He hasn’t given up hope but is fully confident in His ability to make disciples of all men; and He intercedes constantly on the saints’ behalf. Who cares about the statistics?! Let's remain gracious, hopeful, and prayerful, because we want to be part of a vibrant church where men and women are fully embracing what God has called us to together.
Going green!
Lynn
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