A Brief Book Summary from Books At a Glance
by Benjamin J. Montoya, PhD
Introduction
Our culture speaks of men and masculinity as being “toxic.” Instead, men who pretend to behave like women are honored, whereas more conventional manhood is labeled as toxic. Strachan examines our culture’s understanding in light of Scripture teachings.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 How Men Are Struggling
Chapter 2 Why Men Are Struggling
Chapter 3 The Foundation of Strong Manhood: Genesis 1-3
Chapter 4 The Foundation of Manhood: Old Testament Men
Chapter 5 The Foundation of Strong Manhood: Jesus Christ
Chapter 6 The Foundation of Strong Manhood: New Testament Teaching
Chapter 7 The Physical Distinctiveness of Men
Chapter 8 The Social Distinctiveness of Men
Chapter 9 A Plan for Boys and a Way Back for Men
Summary
Chapter 1: How Men Are Struggling
Men are struggling in several key areas. First, men are struggling economically since men are largely dropping out of the workforce in shocking numbers. Second, men are struggling educationally as college enrollment is declining for men. Third, men are struggling spiritually, as the amount of porn users, sex addicts, and divorcees increase. Fourth, men are struggling physically, often not stewarding their bodies. Fifth, men are struggling socially, with men being the majority of arrestees in alarming rates. Sixth, men are struggling in fatherless homes with no male role models.
The result of these struggles is that many are making all kinds of claims. Boys have begun lashing out in the form of mass school shootings. Organizations like the World Health Organization have concluded that masculinity is toxic. So, to change things, politicians like Hillary Clinton have claimed, “I remain convinced that yes, the future is female.” Thus, it is fair to say that the future focus is to make men enemies. This outlook does not help with the struggles men face.
Chapter 2: Why Men Are Struggling
Men are struggling because of seven key factors. First, there has been a philosophical assault on the family stemming from the inroads socialism has made into our culture. Second, the ascendancy and dominance of feminism are such that key attributes of manhood—risk-taking, having freedom, exploration, etc.—are no longer an option in the female-oriented structure of our core institutions. Third, there has been a widespread theological attack on the fatherhood of God and the order of leadership, such that the cultural devaluation of gender has more liberal theologians and clergy referring to God as “Mother.”
Fourth, the term “manhood” has been replaced with “androgyny,” as our culture seeks to treat gender as an option on a buffet—letting people decide for themselves. Fifth, the growth of fear culture and the loss of risk has eliminated the opportunity for men to be heroes. Sixth, men have experienced a loss of work and meaningful endeavors, especially since COVID accelerated the trend of locking people down in the name of safety. The message has become, “Drop back. Step aside. Stop advancing. You are outmoded. The future is female. We do not need you. Even more than this: We do not want you.” Seventh, the growth of woke cancel culture has made men seem toxic just by being masculine; without the ability to be trained, discipline themselves, express themselves, etc., everyone is worse off for it. . . .
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