We finished our study of Seth Troutt's Authentic Masculinity: Leaving Behind the Counterfeits for God's Design with a discussion of the roles Troutt puts at the top of the pyramid: Husband and Father. Unlike Son and Brother, these two are roles men chose. Troutt says they are "normative" in God's plan for men, a notion that already might ruffle some feathers. But to do them well, the require the maturity and self-knowledge built through experience. Is the Christian idea of marriage traditional or countercultural? Confining or liberating? Listen and argue.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

After offering his perspectives on masculine virtues, in the second half of Authentic Masculinty: Leaving Behind the Counterfeits for God's Design, author Seth Troutt addresses masculine roles. He defines these broadly, but bottom line, to him a “role” is all about what a man should be doing and how he ought to function in the world. Troutt identifies five specific roles a man will take throughout his life. This week we cover the first three.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Author Seth Troutt sees willingness to take on responsibility as the principal difference between a man and a boy. True male adulthood comes when one can say, "I am the cause of my actions." In the second half of the podcast, we extend the discussion into Troutt's fourth, and culturally dicey, virtue of masculinity--chivalry. We examine Peter's call to be considerate and understanding to women and place this command in context with the the biblical truth that God created women as co-heirs to His kingdom.

Order Authentic Masculinity: Leaving Behind the Counterfeits for God's Design

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We're back from summer break with a new study, Authentic Masculinity by Seth Troutt. As some churches attempt to attract men through a questionable theology that stresses headship, unquestioned household control and limited agency for wives and children, Troutt's book advocates a more accurate biblical standard of male conduct and behavior that conforms to neither so-called conservative nor liberal models. Up this week, discussion of the first two of four masculine virtues Troutt identifies: humility and discipline, characteristics you rarely find on lists of admirable or expected male traits.

Find Authentic Masculinity: Leaving Behind the Counterfeits for God's Design at Amazon.com or order it from your favorite local bookseller.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is there a Christian mindset when it comes to spectator sports? Paul used sports analogies in 1 Corinthians, so clearly he had no issue with fandom. But how much awareness should we bring to an industry so deeply soaked with money and so demanding of time and attention? Make no mistake, like most guys we're both rabid sports fans, but there are some things about it that gives us pause. Just in time for college and pro football, not to mention baseball's pennant race, we toss wet blankets all around.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

An recent article in Christianity Today posed this question. Is Ozempic an an answer to prayers or does it represent a easy worldly response to a struggle that belongs only in the spiritual realm? Nonetheless, obesity is a health issue and, like it or not, research shows the world is biased against overweight people. Robert and Steve debate how Christians should approach obesity, medication, diet and health and if Satan really wins every time you grab a donut.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Robert and Steve talk about AI, Pope Leo XIV's recent encyclical and what ethical issues the technology raises for Christians. We debate the degree of value AI offers and whether it too easily can become a crutch that replaces human creativity and effort with "quick and cheap." Robert has fun prompting ChatGPT to create a sermon on Acts 1:6-9 for five different denominations.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Welcome to our first Back Porch Banter podcast, a spin-off of No Church Answers! We’re going to be a little more informal, a little less structured. We'll spend more time on topical discussions while still maintaining a Christian perspective. First up we visit with No Church Answers' venerable host, Bill Cox, who has just published his new book The Man Up Formula: How Your Church Can Build an Effective Discipleship Group for Men. Bill talks about his experience as a "Sunday School Consumer" and how, when given the chance to launch his own men's group, broke the mold of standard Sunday School set-ups. Bill also talks about why men's church ministries are important and new ways a congregation can serve men in the church--and in turn motivate men to better serve the congregation.

The Man Up Formula Amazon.com link

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.