Beards, Bourbon and Bibles.

 By Pastor Steve Bainbridge - Posted at The Pastor's Desk:

I am old enough now to have witnessed with my own eyes the impact the mainstream media and entertainment has had on manhood. Perhaps you are reading this, and can recall a time when the TV sitcoms that aired (long before streaming services) started shifting from the father figure being a man who was calm, well balanced and provided for his family, over to what resembled a buffoon, always needing to be corrected and guided by his wife, and put in his place by out of control children.

Such shifts in the entertainment world undoubtedly impact the culture we live in today. There are issues surrounding effeminate men, lazy men, and feminism, and each of these categories deserves its own attention. However, a fourth category has emerged specifically within church culture as a response to society’s downward trajectory. What is it? It is the culture of men who not only believe but also promote the idea that unless one has a beard, drinks bourbon, or smokes a cigar, one does not meet the requirements of a strong man. Within this group, some (not all) identify as Reformed Baptists and Presbyterians, along with certain non-denominational factions that go even further. Unless one is Postmillennial, holds to Theonomy, or embraces dominionism—with a hint of Christian Nationalism—one is not regarded as a strong man or a person fit for leadership. Unfortunately, the online world is filled with immature arguments, strawmen tactics, and divisiveness regarding such positions. Those, looking for answers, discipleship and truth often are interacting with some making tertiary issues into first order issues. Some leading others down a path of sin and ruin over expressions of freedom.

These are very important issues. In fact, the word paramount would be sufficient, as the old saying goes: ” For every action, there is an equal or opposite reaction.” What is evident, despite the COVID craziness and Government overreach, or denomination areas of weakness or blindspots, residual emotions are still driving leaders to go too far at times. In time, such reactions could potentially damage not just themselves but the flock.

With all the nuanced views on manhood with those presuppositions, it is important to ask, answer and unpack specific questions that seem to have a level of influence today. Now, if you are a sister in Christ reading this, it may not speak to you, but certainly assists you in praying for your husband, brother, father or friend. Now, let’s get into it.

• Does one need a beard to be manly? Short answer, No.
• Does a sign of manhood include one’s ability to drink bourbon and smoke Havana’s? Short answer, No.
• Does one need to be Post-Millennial to be a true man of God? Short answer, No.
• Does one need to hold to Theonomy, Dominionism or Christian Nationalism (it is nuanced forms) to be Biblically sound? Short answer, No.
• Have these matters been raised from a kick back regarding a lack of Biblical headship in the homes and the churches over the last many decades? Short answer, Yes.

Let us then, spend our time in this article to now look at these questions in more details.

Continue here...