There has been an emergence of a men's movement over the past twenty years. Part of that movement can be attributed to the changing role of males and females in contemporary American society caused by the women's movement. As women began redefining their place in the world, men were forced to rethink their own roles.
Some of us may have seen images of the followers of one form of the men's movement gathering in the woods and in sweat huts, chanting, beating on primitive drums, getting in touch with their feelings, and crying out for their absent fathers. Robert Bly, the guru of this new men's movement and author of Iron John, talks about men recovering the "Wild Man" within themselves; a symbol of strong masculinity. A few Christian teachers and spiritual leaders have written on such themes as "masculine spirituality" and have explored the male archetypes of "king, warrior, magician, and lover."
No doubt, the contemporary male is beginning to recognize that the history of church and society has been dominated by males and their interests and power. He is becoming more sensitive to women's equality. This new male is realizing the need for models of a positive masculinity other than the stereotypical macho male images of John Wayne and Rambo. He wants to be a loving and nurturing father. It is in the midst of this change of what it means to be a man that the contemporary male may find himself adrift in his journey as a male. Today's man is having to reconsider what it means to be male, a friend, a husband, and a father. The story of King David and his three children (
2 Sam. 13-
19) can serve as a Biblical example for examining some of the issues that men need to face on their journey toward a redeemed masculinity.
Men have inherited a distorted image of masculinity expressed in terms of sexual aggression and domination. One of the ways that men have traditionally defined maleness has been through sexual prowess, and often through sexual aggressiveness.
The story of David and his relationship with his children is an historical example of the abuse of male sexual power (
2 Sam. 13). David's son Absalom had a beautiful sister, Tamar, and a brother named Amnon. Amnon had a strong lust for his own sister, Tamar. He became sick with his sexual obsession.
Amnon viewed Tamar as an object to be used to satisfy his own distorted desires. With the help of a friend, Jonadab, Amnon plotted to have his father, King David, order his sister to serve him food in his tent as he feigned illness. As Tamar offered Amnon her bread, Amnon offered Tamar his bed. When she refused his shameful advances, Amnon overpowered her and violently raped his sister. Amnon's lust turned to sexual violence and then to hatred as he expelled Tamar from his chambers. She covered herself with shame and ashes. And Amnon covered his incestuous rape with a blanket of silence.
