Mark Driscoll, speaking of Jesus Christ as tough guy: “I could never worship someone I could beat up.”
Jesus Christ, speaking of Mark Driscoll and other tough guys in Titus 1: “Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless — not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not violent . . . ”
Christian social activist Cesar Chavez, wrapping it up nicely: “It is my deepest belief that only by giving our lives do we find life. I am convinced that the truest act of courage, the strongest act of manliness, is to sacrifice ourselves in a totally nonviolent struggle for justice.”
I once shook hands with Cesar Chavez. He was a short, wiry, gentle man with kindness etched on his face and a devotion to Jesus manifest in his heart. Cesar wasn’t interested in manliness, but Christlikeness; he “took himself down” to lift others up, and he lived with great faith in the One who did it first, and did it best, and did it as “the human one, Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people” (1 Tim. 2:5,6) — not the “tough guy” Driscoll insists on as the object of his worship.
Keely,
I find your take on Jesus to be half of the story. Jesus as a man was diminished, with a purpose (Phil 2:5-8 and Matt 26:53) and now is glorified and exalted (2:9-11). Christ told us that His future return in His glorified state would more approximate a victorious king, with power to judge the nations (Matt 25:31+), and power to avenge (Luke 18:8). Jesus’ current appearance and role are quite striking (Rev 19:10+) with authority to judge and make war, to smite the nations, and to rule with a rod of iron. Not the ‘meek and mild’ Jesus of our pulpit pictures and gospel hymns.
Why take Jesus as a picture of masculinity? Orthodox Christianity (and I know you disagree) considers Paul’s teaching on Christ’s love for the Church in Eph 5 to be an example of how a man should love his wife. As Christ is a king who gave himself up for His bride, so should any man who aspires to godly manliness.
Respectfully,
Rob Storm
Comment by Unknown — September 2, 2011 @ 7:23 pm