On Wednesday Night, January 23^rd, we will discuss “Toxic Masculinity.”  In January 2019, the American Psychological Association has issued new guidelines for the purpose of helping counselors who help men deal with the harmful and toxic effects of “traditional masculinity.” While they do not actually define  “traditional masculinity”; they describe it as “marked by stoicism, competitiveness, dominance and aggression.” Following the press release of the APA, the Gillette shaving company hired a feminist to direct a TV advertisement that shows boys bullying less manly boys, men “cat-calling” at women, and dozens of men standing beside their BBQ grills watching kids beat each other up while chanting “boys will be boys.” Then the ad shifts to a “Thank You” to the #MeToo movement for forcing men to do better. Men must become more like women who are more sensitive, less competitive, less dominant, and less aggressive.

Needless to say, the APA report and the Gillette commercial have caused quite a controversy. What are these psychological experts saying? Are all men toxic?  Are all women examples of righteous behavior? Are men and women the same or different? Are the “traditional” roles of the men and women who fought wars and built America wrong? Will these new less masculine roles make America better?

While the current discussion is a little more extreme, the basic argument boils down to the old argument about gender. Are males and females complementary or equal? Complementarianism says men and women are equal in essence but have different roles in family, church, and society. Egalitarianism says men and women are equal in every way – both in essence and in role.

As Christians, we are supposed to look to the Bible for our standards of faith and practice; therefore, our question for the evening is:

 Loading ...