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What maketh a man?

Home » Blogs » mandla msimang's blog
28 May 2009

This hopefully marks the first attempt at opening up a dialogue amongst Kelvin male folks on issues masculine. As part of an integrated plan, the Adventist men department has asked for thought provoking articles/insights on matters that are relevant to men in general. What is hoped for is that this platform will become a dialogue rather than a monologue of the writer and will be enriched by differing and different perspectives as diverse as are the individual that make up Kelvin Adventist men.

So, here is my take on the topic of what truly makes a man? For a longtime I have been consumed by the desire to simplify things for men folk.  Our society gives varying definitions of what makes a man how he is or what he is. Depending on each individual perspective, the definition of ultimate man has shifted from an unconcerned caveman, preoccupied with survival and dispersing his seed, to modern sensitive type guy who has evolved into an uberman - highly sensitive, socially astute and generally approved by the opposite sex. 

In his article published on the Albany Times Union, Professor Carly Rivers explore this identity crisis even further. He argues that what drives this confusion about the image of what constitute modern man or what man needs to be are basically two factors; industrialization and political democracy. As man relationship to family, work changes, this alters their self image of what makes them man. They are further confused by the images projected in the various media such as television, newspaper, magazines, etc and are not too sure whether the ideal is to be a sensitive man, macho man, post sensitive man, neo wimp or even the terminator kind of man.

To most men, they are man because of what others say, or what they have seen and have never really done an introspection of what makes them who they are.  This lack of self knowledge can be harnessed negatively or positively by cunning individuals and can land man in serious trouble. Don’t you wonder why are graves and prisons are full of men who were used to good effect by others sometimes to their own detriment or to the detriment of the entire nation.

I learnt that such confusion is not new and in fact, man’s definition tends to follow the prevailing trend of thought. Zulu historians tells of an incident in 1828 when King Shaka’s aunt, Mkabayi ka Jama exploited man’s sensitivity about their masculinity to good effect. In trying to encourage the two reluctant brothers Dingane and Mhlangane to kill their sibling, King Shaka, she is said to have lamented: “O he!, ukube bengiyinsizwa, phela nina ningamadoda nje ngoba nilengisa amalengiso!” (Oh I wish I was a young man, you guys are men only because of your tools). Just by merely questioning their manhood, she managed to achieve what most brave warriors had failed to do, that is to assassinate or kill the great King Shaka. So, one’s viewpoint of what makes him a man is fundamental in determining how they deal with major issues facing them in life.

This statement got me thinking – is there more to manhood than just possessing the male tools and hormones? Is the fact of an accident at birth that resulted in Y chromosomes prevailing enough to confirm one as a male species? What else, besides the physiological tools of reproductive organs, and muscles makes a man? My theory is that, if we can answer this question correctly, we would have cracked the code to the growing number of social ills visited on the planted by the male’s species. I am talking about issues of women abuse, children abuse, family break ups, penchant for violence, absent fathers, irresponsible fathers, reluctant fathers, distant fathers, exaggerated egos, emotionally dead fathers, etc.

At the heart of each one of the many social ills, is an incorrect decoding of what maketh a man. Is this status of manhood permanent or is it contingent upon performance of certain responsibilities - does the fact that I have lost my job or income make me less of a man? What about the fact that I may be impotent or infertile? What is the role of emotions in manhood?

Finally, how do we as Kelvin SDA men define ourselves? What are our values, what are they based on? How are they translated from one generation to the next? What systems do we have to preserve our identity? So really, are you a man because of the reproductive capababilities or are you a real man?

Let’s discuss.......


 

What maketh a man?

Submitted by mandla msimang on Tue, 2010-03-09 10:05.

In response to Sunnyboy Nhlapho's posting, can I refer him to my second article which started looking at this more from the Adventist Christology and biblical reference.  lets be careful not to confuse issues by including unrelated topics like Gay and lesbianism on this as it was never covered in my article nor was ever intended to be a subliminal topic therein. The focus of my treatise was and still is, to what extent is the role and view of woman influenced by prevailing cultural context rather than divine context in defining what their actual role should be. Using only trhe bible as frame of reference, lets discuss.  

What maketh a man?

Submitted by Sunnyboy Nhlapho on Sun, 2009-11-08 13:23.

It is for Kelvin malefolks: Sorry I was mothered by Kelvin, I claim my existance. From the founders of our Religion and up untill of late there has been no concrete stance nor deviation of the then 'practices' on this issue. It arose fear in them (exactly like the adoption of the cross without a Saviour in our Beliefs) even when it is thought of.But questions are ranging on and unfortunately Wrong questions lead to wrong answers.These emedge in the churches and in Politics.Unfortunately we are enclosed and are not having a discourse guided by the Holy Spirit. The Women Ministries in Westrand exhausted this intensely in their founding document.I was prompted to re-read. The TOC Pres went in to it at Camp Meeting and without a proper platform to dissect it nothing was said. We could not engage.We settle political and social scores on God's platform and Agenda. We deal with women-abuse in way that counters God's Plan, scheme and set up'. Sentiments of empathy must not cloud our scriptural mandate and eye. I would like us though to go back to the Old Testament to find precedents on this issue (Bible study, using correct questions) to find answers.Space will not allow here.I will add to the discussion and say:  I am afraid of slightly curving or influencing a diviation from practices on a road/journey already carved for us and only to lead later generations totally from the truths embeded already. The Present Truths, are the old Truths magnified. The whole discussion in all areas where it is discussed (Political,Social and in Religions),emanates from debates on equality between men and women.God made us equal no question about that. He then gave us roles and, Pre and Post Israel these roles were carried out in balanced manner save for few instances. The challeges to this setup presuposes that the role Gave women makes them weak, therefore unequal men. Now in the Garden of Eden it was also the question of Equality and not Roles which led to the dominion being lost from humanity. Today all religions and Churches (Anglican, Catholic, Islam etc) are caught up in this web, to an extent even of a split in some cases, based on the equality v/s roles of both men and women in the Church. Obviuosly this led to the furore of Gays and lesbians membership and of serving Pators in those churches.Confused they could not define Gays and Lesbians as these became the 3rd and 4th human gender or species if you like. (Which toilets to use?) Where did it all start? Women and men equality (which is a question irrelevant actually as we are & always were equal but differed on roles in our families and in God's Church). In all cases after dicussing being equal they went on to agree to being the same (male and females) and not their roles as per scripture, leading to both being exchangeable for either in all roles even in marriage which was not the original question. Now they want to De-Gender God as no one can read the bible with God being only  HE. Where are we going? Wrong question why did we reqdefine God Master Plan? Eden, Nimrod,Gomorrah, Sinai etc all tried to know God's 'mistakes' and tried to fix it? The outcome was an angry God. It all started with an irrelevant question.Are we not equal?This question prompted an irrelevant response which led to trying to balance social and spiritual work (not roles) under equality. The question still remains: Why are we twicking 'the equilibrium'? Because of what? What will the master say? Are we able to gauge the effect of this 'slight' change and it's impact ages after we are gone? Will we be able to take the responsibility? I am saying we are and were always equal.Our roles are different.I will not twig it for fear of starting a fire that will consume God's church and carry the accountability for deviating His Plan that I do not understand anyway as He is the Architect, Builder and the Foundation of our Faith. I will pass on the Baton, making sure I neither added nor subtracted nothing. It will end with Gays/Lesbians and a Gendered Bible.What maketh a man? Spiritual Manners!     

Nice article Msimang

Submitted by masuku on Mon, 2009-06-01 11:32.

Nice article Msimang. My point of departure will be to state what kind of men we are or aspire to be. We all aspire to be identified as Christian men and therefore we need to define ourselves in terms of our relationship with Jesus Christ. I read  quotation once which read:

"A man's definition is not based upo external characteristics, but internal traits. The definition of a man is found in the image of God. Culture cannot define  man."

 I also came across the following defining qualities and I hougt I should share with all men. The question is, is there any amongst the men who positively carries the following traits?

1. He reflects Christ’s image. As Adam was made in God’s image, the Christian man has to be made in Christ’s image. He will reflect the characteristics of Christ. (Romans 8:29)

2. He is a man full of wisdom and integrity. The Christian man will not be a fool. He will not lack spiritual wisdom and insight. He will be full of faith. (Acts 6:3a)

3. His is an example of the believers in this world. The Christian man will set an example that others can follow. He will represent the Christian faith well to the world. (I Timothy 4:12b)

4. He leads his home in the worship of God. One of the qualifications for a bishop was to have his home in order. This same quality will be in the true Christian man. (I Timothy 3:4)

5. He follows the example that Christ set. Paul exhorted the Corinthians to follow his example as he followed Christ. This will be the same desire of the Christian man. He will only want others to emulate him as he follows Christ. (I Corinthians 11:1)

6. He is man of prayer. In the Old Testament, men offered the most powerful prayers. Contrary to popular belief, women are not more effective in prayer than men. Prayer is not woman’s work. Men have a responsibility to weep and mourn and intercede for others also. (Ephesians 6:18)

7. He is a student of the Word of God. The Christian man will have a desire to know God’s word. He will not shun corporate and personal study of the Word. He will also understand the foundational beliefs of the Christian faith. (II Timothy 2:15)

Yebo Baba, beautiful

Submitted by msimangmandla on Mon, 2009-06-22 10:21.

Yebo Baba, beautiful comment.  i just hope as we move on the next article we can truly zoom in on the secrets of manhood. i am intrigued by the level of ignorance on the essence of what makes us who we are and contributions such as your are building blocks in the concretization of a perfect role model.