What is the definition of masculinity in the 21st Century? Is it the traditional and biblical role of men? Or in modern terms, the man who goes out to work, is good at DIY, does no housework, has little engagement with his family, does little cooking, and is sport mad. Or is it the man who works part-time or is a house-husband, looks after the kids, spends more time with his wife, does very little to no DIY, etc?

Certainly, when we lived as hunter/gatherers it was the man’s duty to hunt, look out for his family, etc. Just as in so-called primitive societies in isolated areas today males still carry out this role, whereas women stay at home and look after the kids, cook, etc.

Even in modern countries where machismo is still a thing, men are prominent in these traditional roles; particularly in Muslim countries where it can seem that some men use religion as a way of controlling women.

For example, look at Afghanistan, where women’s rights have been put back to the time of the Prophet Mohammed, or Saudi Arabia where women’s rights are making very slow progress. However, some women are still imprisoned or worse, should they not be accompanied by a male relative or not fully covered by the long black garment known as the hijab.

One must pay tribute to the women of Iran defiantly tossing aside their coverings and standing up to the regime, and some men have joined them as they stand up to the brutality of the Iranian security forces.

The Bible is clear about the role of men in society, whether 5,000 years ago or today. That does not mean men neglect their children or wives. There is nothing soft or weak about men showing love and having compassion in such an environment. A man showing emotion is not effeminate or weak; it is part of what makes a man a man. The Lord Jesus Christ, the most perfect man who ever existed, was certainly masculine and he worked in what many would regard as a traditionally male role – a carpenter. Yet, Jesus did indeed weep when he came across different situations. Jesus Christ is the true role model for Christian men and indeed, for women too.

Of course, trends for men come and go. In the 80s many men wore make-up influenced by bands like Duran Duran, Adam and The Ants, Culture Club, etc. This didn’t necessarily make them LGBTQI or effeminate. Men still associated, went out, and married their girlfriends, just as men had always done.

In many ancient cultures, the custom was for men to wear make-up as in ancient Egypt. Later on, of course in the 18th century men wore flamboyant clothes, powdered wigs, and make-up. Beards too (what some cultures or religions consider to be the true mark of a man) have come and gone. Whether the medieval era, 19th Century, Edwardian era, Hippies in the 60s, and Hipsters recently, have all sported face fuzz on their faces!

There is nothing wrong with men cooking, doing housework, being househusbands, or stay-at-home dads. If you have decided that your wife earns more and is the main breadwinner, that’s fine, just as if you decide the male goes out to work and the woman stays at home doing the traditional role.

Of course, there are some men who are in abusive relationships, and they are afraid of their female spouse. Yet far more women come forward about an abusive husband, boss, etc, than do males about their female abusers. For many men, it can be seen as a sign of weakness to say they are being abused by a female. That’s why in the main you haven’t seen the male equivalent of the ‘Me Too’ movement. Statistically speaking men are also likely to seek medical help.

The imbalance of the sexes is being addressed somewhat more today than decades ago. Now women can be plumbers, bricklayers, and perform other previously male-dominated roles in the workplace, just as men can be cleaners, nurses, hairdressers, etc. However, men are more likely to be paid more for doing the same job as a woman, and that cannot be right.

At one time the retirement age for men was 65 and for women 60. However, this has been equalised to 66 which should have been done a lot sooner. The downside is as people live longer the government raises the threshold of retirement. This means some men and women may never see retirement and this should be addressed. Of course, the church has seen the growing involvement of women in what were once male bastions only, that is in a voluntary role or a church leader.

Of course, in Christ’s time, women were expected to do the traditional roles, just as they are in many Middle-Eastern countries today. However, everything Jesus did during his three-year ministry was revolutionary and so it was with his treatment of women.

Jesus had women followers, yet in the gospels, the focus is mainly on the twelve disciples and other male believers. We must remember that Jesus’ mother Mary was blessed among women – blessed because she carried the Christ child – but not to be worshipped. Women were the first to see Christ alive again and Mary Magdalene was one of Christ’s closest friends and confidants.

The transgender movement has done harm in its mistaken belief of what a man or woman is. Gender neutrality (part of the woke agenda) is brainwashing our young so that they can choose whatever sex they want to be and that loving someone (sexually) of the same sex is as valid as the opposite sex. This is a Satanic agenda and must be confronted and challenged – not in a violent, fundamentalist way, by Christians, but in a loving, tolerant, mindful display, of why God loves us as men and women.

Biologically, there are two humans that can procreate together, and Genesis teaches us that God made male and female (Gen. 5:2) and told them to populate the earth. Clearly, the role of the family in the Bible pertains to male and female parents.

This may be rejected by humanists, atheists, etc, but never-the-less it doesn’t change what the Judeo/Christian faith has taught for millennia. Men are still men and women are still women, no matter what trends come and go.

All that matters is that as Christian men and women we behave accordingly, treating each other with reverence, appreciation, respect, and love, recognising our differences but celebrating what the Lord has done. So we can become the people we need to be regardless of sex.

Here is scripture speaking about issues discussed in this blog:

1 Corinthians 16-13: “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong”.

Colossians 3:19: “Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them”.

Ephesians 5:33: “However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, let the wife see that she respects her husband”.

God bless you

Nick x.