I recently received an article entitled, Why Men Don’t Like Church by Doug Giles (http://www.ntrf.org/articles/article_detail.php?PRKey=82). While I don’t often respond to articles with which I disagree, I feel compelled to respond to this one!
I don’t consider myself to be a “feminist;” however, I do desire to stand on the full word of God regarding men and women in the Church. Although I have more than one concern regarding the contents of Giles’ article, I’ll attempt to focus on its main thrust, the “masculine spirit.”
Having just returned from the Philippines helping sex-slaves find freedom, Giles’ question, Why do some churches look more like the bra and panty aisle at Wal-Mart rather than a battalion of men poised to plunder the powers of darkness, about knocked me off my chair!
• I submit that the reason why “churches look like a bra and panty aisle” to some has something to do with the mentality of those people.
• Yes, there is need for more men of godly character to join the assemblies of God; however, the army of God is not made up of only men. Thus, it was never intended to look like “a battalion of men!”
Giles contends that:
• the lack of strong men going to church has crippled the Church
• hanging out in church… seems unmanly
• most men just wannabe a cowboy.
While I concur with the cowboys that “going to church” is irrelevant, it is not the Church’s role to provide “wannabe cowboys” with an environment which encourages a testosterone driven mindset! What has “crippled our churches” more than poor attendance of “strong men” is the failure to recognize that God sees the Body of Christ as being neither male nor female.
Giles proposes that the masculine spirit needs to be regained in our houses of worship. We could look to no avail to find God’s description of a “masculine spirit” in His Word; however, He does have plenty to say about hormonal attitudes and behaviors!
Why would we want a masculine or feminine spirit
in the places where Believers meet
when the indwelling Spirit of Christ promises to be there!
Giles questions, How do we equip the Church to press on with that which is holy, just and good? How can we... fight the good fight…, for freedom, family and the flag?
What is “holy, just and good” according to God’s Word? It is the law (Romans 7:12) and it was not made for the righteous! It was made for “whatever is against sound doctrine that conforms to the glorious gospel” (1 Tim 1:10). The law of Christ (Gal 6:2), His gospel, is that “all are one in Christ with full rights of sons (Gal. 4:5)!” It seems that Giles is preaching another Gospel!
While all of God’s people are commanded to “fight the good fight,” His Word says nothing about it having anything to do with “freedom, family and the flag!”
Giles’ urges congregations to fire the Nicer-Than-Christ pastors and hire a John Wayne who will prod the congregation to biblical maturity with solid meat. Firing the "Nicer-Than-Christ pastors" is a great idea! However, let them be replaced with a body of believers who recognize that we all have something to offer.
As long as we look to “the pastor” for nourishment,
maintaining the infantile idea that somehow
women have less to offer than men,
there will continue to be immaturity in the Church!
Giles concludes that men will be there if we toss in…, competition.., fun and a problem to spiritually throttle. When we spiritually emasculate the environment of these holy testicular necessities your church, as far as men go, will be more empty than Snookie’s noggin.
Giles reasons that a building full of women has led to artificially sweetened worship, sentimental basilica décor and wimpy co-dependent behavior. Will establishing an environment which attracts males seeking to compete, have fun and be “the answer man” solve the problem?
Not only does Scripture deny that these “testicular necessities” are “holy,” the ongoing lust for power, control and entertainment is the very reason why God described the Jewish people as being an empty-headed whore! It is the Bride of Christ who walks in “the beauty of holiness” who is so compelling to the rest of mankind, not a testosterone driven agenda!
Giles proclaims, If… Christians want to improve our nation biblically, then the Church has got to eliminate its effeminate drift and re-establish a masculine bent.
I contend, however that if Christians want to improve the nation of God, then the Church must abolish its lusts and re-establish a Spirit-led bent. God’s people must stand against the Jungian psychology which teaches that “Masculinity is achieved by a revolt from woman, and it is confirmed only by other men!”
I question the wisdom of a man who thrives on sensationalism, encourages believers to “whip some ass” like Jesus did, and teaches fathers how to raise “daughters to fight and shoot guns" (http://righteousrowdygirls.com/, http://www.clashradio.com/wwjw.html). Giles ministry does not exude with the aroma of Christ, but the ego of its leader! In fact, it seems that Mr. Giles has experienced his own “spiritual emasculation!”
Whole-Heartedly,
Bonnie
DISCLAIMER:
The author of this article does not endorse everything represented on/in suggested links, books, etc. Each of us is accountable to God to weigh everything according to His Word.
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