Today the idea has spread that biblical masculinity is synonymous with a lot of beard, muscular arms, offensive language, swearing, howls and rubbing a roast on the moustaches themselves.
Well, by these standards, the Puritan pastor of the American congregation and philosopher, Jonathan Edwards, wasn’t really a biblical man. There are many reasons:
- 1.
- Edwards hated rudeness and understood that biblical warnings against the sins of language (for example.
- Unpleasant words.
- Ephesians 4:29) were still in force for today’s believers:.
“I have solved this, I will always strive to maintain and reveal the entire benign side of each face and way of speaking in all circumstances. (Resolution 66)
“That there is always something benevolent every time I speak. (Diary of August 17, 1723)
2. Although riding every day for exercise, Edwards was not a muscular man, some biographers (e. g. Murray, Lawson) claim that this shepherd was a thin man (about 50 kilos), weak-voiced and pale-looking (as seen in the paintings of the time). Also, no beard.
3. Edwards hated being rude. He tried to be moderate in his speech, seeking Christian goodness and affability; as an imperfect sinner in need of grace, it is true that he did not always succeed, but it happened despite his will. posture, ready to be born and act like an animal:
Suppose there has never been an individual in this world, at any time, who has never lived a perfect Christian life at all levels and possibilities, with Christianity always shining in all its splendor and with an excellent and friendly appearance. I decided to act as if I could live this same life, even if I have to work to the fullest of all my inherent abilities and even if I are the only one of my time (Resolution 63).
So what made Edwards someone with true biblical virility?The answer
1) Lived the ordinary life of the house. Grow up your 11 children in the ways of the Lord; Show them through the Bible in domestic worship and maintain their loyalty to the same woman, Sarah Pierrepont, until the day of her death.
2) He was expelled from his own church simply by biblical fidelity. Biblical courage, not a simple lack of education and rudeness.
3) He remained anonymous, preaching among the Indians of Stockbridge, a time when only God saw and conferred upon the man he had become.
4) Mercy in the life of devotion and in front of your adversaries, continues a disappointment in you and in your imperfect holiness.
Edwards’ life spoke louder than his writings. Sinner, very imperfect, however, a MAN in the biblical sense of the word. However, because of the stereotypes of the? Jonathan Edwards wasn’t man enough.