CALL FOR PAPERS: “Christian Manhood”

Arguably, manhood is on the ropes these days, taking a bit of a beating, much of which it deserves. Whether it is news of the Ashley Madison website or fallout around sexual scandals involving powerful celebrities like Harvey Weinstein and Bill Cosby, it seems that every other day we are bombarded with yet another report of men behaving horribly, and often at the expense of women. And Christian men haven’t fared much better, regrettably. Whether they make the national news or not, many people are all too well acquainted with the stories of Christian men whose behavior is downright sickening, if not at least subpar or dysfunctional. The Bible is also chock-full of these accounts. For example, King David comes to mind. On October 30, seeking to address some of this, I preached a sermon, titled “Tricks Are for Kids,” from Proverbs 31:30 during a standard chapel service to roughly 700 college students. Part of the conviction shared was that we should not and cannot tolerate boys who cross-dress as men, physically looking the part of a man yet behaving as an immature child captured by self-indulgent fits and destructive behavior.

Abstracts are invited for a proposed collection of essays addressing this dynamic, offering clarity, rebuke, intervention, and encouragement. The ESV Bible translation is makes it plain in 1 Corinthians 16:13-14, where men are told: “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.” As Phillip Holmes has written, “Real manhood is a hard and uncomfortable calling, whether you’re single or married. The role of leadership God has given men isn’t an opportunity to be served, but a calling to serve sacrificially…Real men deny themselves carnal pleasure for true joy in Jesus.” The Christian witness is damaged or lost altogether when Christians lower the bar, treating women and themselves poorly, kowtowing to the lowest denominator of rogue, sinful manhood. The intended audience here is, primarily, young adult men, ages 18-35. Wise, vulnerable, creative commentary not only from pastors or theologians, but laypeople is encouraged.

While a Bible study is not the desired outcome, Scripture should be employed throughout, whether in broader, thematic terms or intensely. Interdisciplinary contributions are welcome. This book length project will embody an evangelical or theologically orthodox perspective. Please prayerfully consider if this is a right fit for you or your colleagues.

An abstract of no more than 500 words along with a tentative title and C.V. is needed by September 1, 2018 for those interested. Authors will be informed soon thereafter if their proposal has been selected to move forward in the process. The completed essay will be due December 1, 2018.

Abstracts and inquiries should be sent in Word format to Rev. James Ellis III, who will serve as the project’s editor: ellis@hope.edu