My wise grandfather's definition of a man was "someone who does what needs to be done when no one else wants to do it". Nothing macho about it. Just take care of yourself, your family and your business

And that is a great definition. Which is why I asked him to define what he means by "act like a man".

This thread reminds me of a really good book that just came out. It talks a lot about this distorted notion of what a "man" is.

Jesus and John Wayne

I do separate sex and gender and believe gender to a fluid spectrum that changes overtime and between cultures and subgroups.

See the use of makeup and high heel shoes over time in traditional western christian cultures. It has gone from acceptable and it's users as being revered as manly men during the 1700s to mocked as ridiculous and feminine during the 19th century, to returning to a place of prominence as last occupant of the white house had a proclivity for both make up and high heels

Of course attire can change over time for men and women. What gender roles remain the same? ramblin's example? In the context of the verse I'd say men are also to be emotionally and physically strong and courageous. Not passive. The whole letter to the Corinthians demonstrates this as Paul does not gloss over their issues.

I think it's particularly important for Christians to "act like men" today. We cannot cower and be passive, but stand up for the truth.

redcrayon said:

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PacifistAg said:

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This thread reminds me of a really good book that just came out. It talks a lot about this distorted notion of what a "man" is.

Jesus and John Wayne

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I encourage folks to read the reviews of this book before buying it. It's so slanted to the point of being unreadable IMO.

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Have you read the book? And it's okay to read perspectives different than your own. I find it to be a great book though. I grew up in the world she writes about, and saw so much of what she mentions.

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My wise grandfather's definition of a man was "someone who does what needs to be done when no one else wants to do it". Nothing macho about it. Just take care of yourself, your family and your business

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I don't disagree that this sentence contains an attribute that a man should have...but I do struggle with what makes it masculine though.

Not that manliness is just the absence of femininity, but why wouldn't you teach this to your (theoretical) daughter as well?

PacifistAg said:

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redcrayon said:

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PacifistAg said:

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This thread reminds me of a really good book that just came out. It talks a lot about this distorted notion of what a "man" is.

Jesus and John Wayne

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I encourage folks to read the reviews of this book before buying it. It's so slanted to the point of being unreadable IMO.

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Have you read the book? And it's okay to read perspectives different than your own. I find it to be a great book though. I grew up in the world she writes about, and saw so much of what she mentions.

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I have. Differing opinions are fine. But the book was so slanted that it was hard to read IMO. She definitely had a perspective she was working really hard to push.

I got it for free. No way I would pay money for it.

Pretty easy to tell from the subtitle that it is NOT a book I would enjoy. Hard no from me on that one.

diehard03 said:

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My wise grandfather's definition of a man was "someone who does what needs to be done when no one else wants to do it". Nothing macho about it. Just take care of yourself, your family and your business

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I don't disagree that this sentence contains an attribute that a man should have...but I do struggle with what makes it masculine though.

Not that manliness is just the absence of femininity, but why wouldn't you teach this to your (theoretical) daughter as well?

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Luckily I have no daughters! Honestly I think it's was more of a boy v man maturity issue and not a men v woman gender issue. I read the Bible passage the same way. It's about maturity and not about gender

Frok said:

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Pretty easy to tell from the subtitle that it is NOT a book I would enjoy. Hard no from me on that one.

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Agree. Just watched Red River with John Wayne and loved it.

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Luckily I have no daughters! Honestly I think it's was more of a boy v man maturity issue and not a men v woman gender issue. I read the Bible passage the same way. It's about maturity and not about gender

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yeah, I thought about it as soon as I posted it...but I do think what you bring up is part of the "issue" with the topic.

"Act like a man" on it's own can assume either "don't act like a boy" or "dont act female"...and both are often used interchangeably to tell someone they aren't acting right.

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My wise grandfather's definition of a man was "someone who does what needs to be done when no one else wants to do it". Nothing macho about it. Just take care of yourself, your family and your business

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Totally get what you're saying about his point being about a boy/man maturity comparison and not a man/woman gender one, but my first thought when reading this was "anyone who's ever been to an extended family Thanksgiving dinner has seen lots of women becoming men in the kitchen while the actual men watch football in the living room."

Beer Baron said:

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My wise grandfather's definition of a man was "someone who does what needs to be done when no one else wants to do it". Nothing macho about it. Just take care of yourself, your family and your business

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Totally get what you're saying about his point being about a boy/man maturity comparison and not a man/woman gender one, but my first thought when reading this was "anyone who's ever been to an extended family Thanksgiving dinner has seen lots of women becoming men in the kitchen while the actual men watch football in the living room."

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That's me every single family holiday

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Totally get what you're saying about his point being about a boy/man maturity comparison and not a man/woman gender one, but my first thought when reading this was "anyone who's ever been to an extended family Thanksgiving dinner has seen lots of women becoming men in the kitchen while the actual men watch football in the living room."

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Wait...you mean you're telling me that the purpose of Thanksgiving ISNT to watch football? I thought the meal was just a special bonus...