Archive for the ‘Biblical Manhood’ Category

11 Apr

Meditation on the Danger of Computer Unreality

Posted by tyrellh in Biblical Manhood, Christianity, Devotional. Tagged: , , , , , , , , .

I think that there are good reasons to make biblical resolutions as Christians. I think it is kind of like the idea in Scripture of making vows and keeping them (Psalm 76:11). But like so much that is good and helpful, it can be turned for evil and abused, as in the form of legalism. However I trust that we are not all reactionists.

I know that if I am left to myself I will make a mess of my life, I don’t presume to think I have the power to keep vows that I make. My trust is in God to keep me (Jeremiah 32:40) and to work in me what pleases Him (Hebrews 13:21). I believe that one small means that God has ordained to keep me is the making of vows. And so with reliance on God I make them… I hope that you find these helpful and that they direct you to other facets of your life where vows may be needed.

I was inspired and have gotten much of this material from another godly man who’s works I have been reading.

1) The hook of constant curiosity. P.C’s offer a huge possibility for discovery. Even the basic environment of Windows can consume hours and days and weeks of inquisitive punching and experimenting. Color schemes, layouts, screen-savers, short-cuts, icons, file-managing, calculators, clocks, calendars, etc. Then there are the endless software applications consuming weeks of your time as they lure you into their details. All this is very deceptive, giving the illusion of power and effectiveness, but leaving you with a feeling of emptiness and nervousness at the end of the day.

RESOLUTION: I will strictly limit my experimental time in the computer and devote myself more to the truth than to technique.

2) The empty world of virtual (un)reality. How sad to see brilliant, creative people pouring hours and days of their lives into creating cities and armies and adventures that have no connection with reality. We have one life to live. All our powers are given to us by the REAL God for the REAL world leading to a REAL heaven and REAL hell.

RESOLUTION: I will spend my constructive, creative energy not in the unreality of “virtual reality” but in the reality of the real world.

3) “Personal” relations with PC. Like no other invention, the personal computer comes closest to being like a person. You can play games with it. There are programs that will dialogue with you about your personality. It will talk to you. It will always be there for you. It is smarter than your dog. The great danger here is that we really become comfortable with this manageable electronic “person,” and gradually drift away from the unpredictable, frustrating, sometimes painful dealings with humans persons.

RESOLUTION: I will not replace the risk of personal relationships with impersonal electronic safety.

4) The risk of tryst “Tryst \‘trist\ noun: An agreement (as between lovers) to meet.” Sexual affairs begin in private time together, extended conversation, and the sharing of soul. It can now be done in the absolute seclusion of your private email screen name. It can be immediate and “live,” or delayed and “recorded.” You can think that “it’s just nothing”—until she shows up in town.

RESOLUTION: I will not cultivate a one-on-one relationship with a person of the opposite sex other than my spouse. If I am single I will not cultivate such a relationship with another person’s spouse.

5) PC Porn. More insidious that X-rated videos, we can now not only watch but join the perversity in the privacy of our own den. It kills the spirit. It drives God away. It depersonalizes women. It quenches prayer. It blanks out the Bible. It cheapens the soul. It destroys spiritual power. It defiles everything.

RESOLUTION: I will never open any program for sexual stimulation nor purchase or download anything pornographic.

Computers and the net and email are remarkable gifts from God. Yes, they are threats to our schedules, hearts and families- just like the telephone, and television and radio. All God’s gifts can be made idols and even weapons of rebellion against the Giver. But they need not be. Instead we should say with the Psalmist, “What shall I render to the LORD for all His benefits toward me?” (Psalm 116:12)

17 Nov

Adolescence Destruction of Manhood

Posted by tyrellh in Biblical Manhood, Christianity, Devotional, post-modernism, Social Issues. Tagged: , , , , , .

The whole idea of adolescence is a relatively new idea in history, it is a side effect of the ‘modern’ method of schooling, which takes people who are physically able to be adults and forces them to wait till all the required schooling is completed. It is not the purpose of this paper to explain all that is involved in the secular view of adolescence, suffice to say it is not a biblical category (the Bible involves children, young men and older men- one ceases to be a child when one “leaves mother and father and cleaves to ones wife”), I’d like to talk about some of the negative influences this concept has had on young men specifically and make a few suggestions.

Many young Christian men today seem to be stuck in some kind of time warp, not readily letting go of their adolescent ways. This is true in the secular world as well (a movie came out not long ago called ‘Failure to Launch’ which is supposed to be a commentary on this social ill). I believe the issue stems from what we have I imposed on people’s minds during adolescence, there a young man has the ability to be an adult (physically), he begins thinking like an adult in certain ways, yet at the same time he is not given the responsibilities of an adult, he is kept protected like a child, this is where I think much confusion and the so called awkwardness stems from. So we have a young man growing up, not being discipled in the way he should (most of the time) and going into adult hood- the problem is how does he now suddenly take on the responsibilities’ he must, since he has had the confusion of adolescents? I know I am over simplifying, but bear with me as I get to my point.

A while back I challenged a young man I know, about a particularly worldy and ‘sub-culture’ styled fashion accessory, his response was “It’s just a phase I am going through”. Now apart from the strangeness of having identified the phase and then deciding to stick with it, how can a Christian man, one who is to demonstrate godliness, self-control, humility…. Christlikeness- attempt to find identity in the same place the world does? It is concerning when men are trying to defend (not to mention those who identify with) bits of the ‘emo’ culture and ‘punk’ culture or whatever it may be… It is even more concerning when men are lazy and enslaved to their entertainment. Packer said about this, “Ease and luxury, such as our affluence brings today, do not make for maturity; hardship and struggle however do”.

How we must pray for a generation of godly young men, that the world looks at and see’s something of Christ in. Men who are known because they: Love their wives, are faithful in church and work, who show some of the orderliness that is from God, who don’t shrink from confrontation, who don’t live passively- men like Joshua, Daniel and Paul, men like Jesus! Men who don’t find joy in the trivial little pleasures of a lost world that finds its identity in trying to be unique or strange or arb. Oh for men who love God more than they love themselves, who esteem God’s word as of more value than their daily food.

Think through these with me:

Do you want to be known as the strange arb guy or the godly Christlike guy?

Do you want to be seen as the sports buff, or someone with a concern for orphans and widows?

Do you want to be the silent mysterious guy, or the one who leaves and aroma of Christ in every conversation?

And even if it’s not a purposeful decision, which of the above is your flesh dragging you towards? If others think of you, what do they think of? “Oh yeah Harry, he is a Arnold fan, a anima know-it-all, a rocker, a gamer, a slacker, a ladies-man…”

If you chase after the same things the world chases, the world will never take notice of the treasure you have, the treasure of Christ. My favorite quote on manhood will serve to close these few thoughts, “The steel of manly character is forged in the fires of control and denial” – Elizabeth Elliot

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