tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722000511928619465.post2356968779107901979..comments2012-03-17T04:21:58.393-07:00Comments on The Point: We Are At War: A Warrior GodAndyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08846940793086499935noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8722000511928619465.post-90661851166630592872012-02-29T14:45:37.808-08:002012-02-29T14:45:37.808-08:00I would caution the use of 'warrior' as an...I would caution the use of 'warrior' as an image for masculinity. Simply, warrior, as many images of God pulled out of text, so easily gets co-opted into supporting all sorts of nastiness that we engage in as humans. Warrior and Christian militancy seem to go hand in hand. It is a short drive to go from 'God as warrior' to God supports my war (and the aggression that goes with it). So, God can support my current beef with...(fill in blank). <br /><br />I think masculinity news to be shaped by as much 'lover', 'friend', 'spouse', even 'vine'. There is as much, if not arguably more, support for 'fruit of the spirit' to be the measure of Christian masculinity than there is one 'warrior'. In fact, other than a turning over of tables, I cannot think of a NT example that helps reinforce this one way of conceiving God. <br /><br />Christian militancy might be more of an issue than fears of a 'neutered male' subject (VIctorian Era? Why there? too many British costume dramas? Why not Calvin Klein and the rise of the metrosexual...or his subsequent decline...). I think the amalgam of culturally-constructed characteristics that have gone together to make up an idea of masculinity (here not defined or deconstructed...in some ways just lionized?) might need a bit of review whether it fits what we see in our text. Plus, the assumption that 'God as warrior' so 'we should be too' might need a bit of further tinkering of why this needs to be so. <br /><br />Anyway, I could not resist to do a bit of pushback. I just can't see the need to baptize some narrowly identified set of culturally-constructed characteristics and call it faithful. The amount of qualification that has to happen for this to be even helpful is so great that I think the effort near doomed before it begins. <br /><br />Plus, if you do not want to 'manscape', it is OK...Patricknoreply@blogger.com