A positive and biblical vision of what it means to be a man
In a world where masculinity is often associated with toxicity, what does it mean to "be a man"?
In a straightforward and empathetic way, Matt Fuller gets beyond cultural confusion and stereotypes as he examines what the Bible says is distinctive about being a man. He outlines a positive vision of biblical masculinity and shows what that might look like in real life today. Men will be encouraged to be sacrificial when leading, to work hard, and to protect and invest in others.
Whatever your personality and interests—whether you would rather skin a rabbit, read a book, or remodel your house—this book will give you confidence and direction to be the man God wants you to be.
Introduction: To Be a Man Means…
What, Exactly?
Principle #1: Men and Women Really Are
Different (But Don’t Exaggerate)
Principle #2: Take Responsibility
Principle #3: Be Ambitious for God
Principle #4: Use Your Strength to Protect
Principle #5: Display Thoughtful Chivalry
Principle #6: Invest in Friendships
Principle #7: Raise Healthy “Sons”
Conclusion: Progress
Contributors | Matt Fuller |
---|---|
ISBN | 9781784988852 |
Format | eBook |
First published | June 2023 |
Case quantity | 50 |
Language | English |
Publisher | The Good Book Company |
This is one of the best Christian books I have read in the past five years. Matt Fuller has the courage to speak to a vital question and to do so with refreshing boldness, enviable clarity, loving warmth, and some delicious humour. His practical pastoral experience breathes through every chapter. Every man—and woman too—will benefit from reading it, and it will make a superb volume for a book group.
This is such an important and significant book for our current culture. With superb skill, Matt opens up the Scriptures in a way that engages with and challenges cultural norms. My heart was warmed, my spirit stirred and my mind stretched. It’s so relevant for men and women of every stage. I just loved it!
This is a radical book—radical because it’s biblical. We live in a time when masculinity gets an eye roll and is diluted and blurred, but Matt Fuller gives readers an inviting, full-strength, 4K vision of what it means to be a man who follows the Son of Man.
In ‘Reclaiming Masculinity’, Matt Fuller explores seven principles to help men reclaim their masculinity—“not by returning to flawed models of the past nor by asserting [their] own cultural preferences but by looking to the Bible”.
Utilising these seven principles, Fuller sets out to complete a simple yet seemingly challenging sentence, "To be a man means…” or the more crucial assertion, “To be a godly man means…”
While Fuller makes some strong points, I never felt as though I was receiving a lecture from somebody who had it all figured out. Instead, I was reading the words of someone who knows his own faults and failings and who wants to point the reader to Christ with pastoral warmth.
It was nice to see the zeal and natural humour I’ve come to know from listening and reading Fuller’s material. This provided the book with levity when needed.
Fuller was careful not to be too rigid or overly prescriptive in his instructions, which I thought was helpful. It would be very easy to read a book like this and quickly construct a "how to be masculine" checklist, which is not Fuller’s intention.
It’s also worth mentioning, that while the book is generally geared toward men, woman will gain much from this resource as many of the seven principles are simply reflective of a godly character.
In the minds of many, masculinity & toxicity go hand in hand, and being male is seen as more of a vice than a virtue. However, Fuller points to Jesus as the ultimate representation of masculinity, concluding:
“Being a godly man means taking responsibility to lead, being ambitious for God’s kingdom, using your strength to protect the church and serves others, investing in friends, and raising “sons”.
Short, pithy, wise, helpful and sprinkled with humour. A much needed book in this time of confusion.
This book was sent to me by The Good Book Company in exchange for an honest review.
In ‘Reclaiming Masculinity’, Matt Fuller explores seven principles to help men reclaim their masculinity—“not by returning to flawed models of the past nor by asserting [their] own cultural preferences but by looking to the Bible”.
Utilising these seven principles, Fuller sets out to complete a simple yet seemingly challenging sentence, "To be a man means…” or the more crucial assertion, “To be a godly man means…”
While Fuller makes some strong points, I never felt as though I was receiving a lecture from somebody who had it all figured out. Instead, I was reading the words of someone who knows his own faults and failings and who wants to point the reader to Christ with pastoral warmth.
It was nice to see the zeal and natural humour I’ve come to know from listening and reading Fuller’s material. This provided the book with levity when needed.
Fuller was careful not to be too rigid or overly prescriptive in his instructions, which I thought was helpful. It would be very easy to read a book like this and quickly construct a "how to be masculine" checklist, which is not Fuller’s intention.
It’s also worth mentioning, that while the book is generally geared toward men, woman will gain much from this resource as many of the seven principles are simply reflective of a godly character.
In the minds of many, masculinity & toxicity go hand in hand, and being male is seen as more of a vice than a virtue. However, Fuller points to Jesus as the ultimate representation of masculinity, concluding:
“Being a godly man means taking responsibility to lead, being ambitious for God’s kingdom, using your strength to protect the church and serves others, investing in friends, and raising “sons”.
Short, pithy, wise, helpful and sprinkled with humour. A much needed book in this time of confusion.
This book was sent to me by The Good Book Company in exchange for an honest review.
Part of what supported the rise in popularity of conservative theology was a clear pathway towards godly masculinity. Unfortunately, what often associates the fall of Christian ministers of a conservative persuasion is more hyper or toxic than godly masculinity. A reaction to this is to succumb to the idea that there is no difference between men and women – we need aim only for godliness, but this just doesn’t answer the many theological, sociological (not to mention physiological) questions it throws up.
Cutting through this concerning and confusing milieu, Matt Fuller has written a very helpful and concise clarion call to reclaim a biblical view of manhood offering seven areas of life for men to grow into. I like the fact that he deals with some very tricky passages from the off; I like the fact that it’s British and I like the fact that he references Manic Miner!
Part of what supported the rise in popularity of conservative theology was a clear pathway towards godly masculinity. Unfortunately, what often associates the fall of Christian ministers of a conservative persuasion is more hyper or toxic than godly masculinity. A reaction to this is to succumb to the idea that there is no difference between men and women – we need aim only for godliness, but this just doesn’t answer the many theological, sociological (not to mention physiological) questions it throws up.
Cutting through this concerning and confusing milieu, Matt Fuller has written a very helpful and concise clarion call to reclaim a biblical view of manhood offering seven areas of life for men to grow into. I like the fact that he deals with some very tricky passages from the off; I like the fact that it’s British and I like the fact that he references Manic Miner!