What is a man? What qualities would you say define a real man? When asked this question, most people mention traits like toughness, competitiveness, never showing weakness, promiscuity, and a purpose-driven mindset. Some of these qualities are not necessarily bad, but is that what defines a real man? Why do we often view men this way? Is this God’s original design for men?
Nancy Pearcey answers these questions and more in The Toxic War on Masculinity: How Christianity Reconciles the Sexes. In this book, Pearcey explores our culture’s toxic view of masculinity and the historical movements that shifted our perception to this view.
The book has fourteen chapters divided into three parts. In part one, “The Good News about Christian Men,” Pearcey uses stats and studies to show that Christian men aren’t as domineering and oppressive as believed. Instead, devout Christian men who attend church regularly have the lowest divorce rate and domestic abuse of all other groups.
In part two, “How the Secular Script Turned Toxic,” Pearcey takes us on a historical journey through American history and explores the various movements and events that have contributed to promoting a toxic view of masculinity. Such events include the Industrial Revolution, Darwinism, Feminism, and Romanticism. She also explains how these events affected women and changed the dynamics between men and women.
Part three, “When Christian Men Absorb the Secular Script,” discusses the consequences of professing Christians adopting secular views on masculinity instead of following biblical principles. Every chapter features theological reflections and strategies to recover biblical manhood.
Toxic War on Masculinity is my second book from Nancy Pearcey. Once again, I am deeply impressed with her writing! Like Love Thy Body, Nancy Pearcey carefully researched and documented this book. It is informative, biblical, and delightful to read.
As someone who hasn’t paid much attention to controversies surrounding masculinity, this book was an incredibly eye-opening experience. I cannot count the number of times I was surprised by the book’s claims and facts. For example, nominal Christians are the most abusive group of men in America, and at one point, Christianity was so feminized that 90 percent of church attendees were women.
My favorite part of this book was the historical journey through different periods in American history. Understanding the ideas and norms of these eras adds invaluable context to our era’s current perception of masculinity. In the colonial age, men were positively seen; they upheld the common good of their household and community. But when the Industrial Revolution happened, and men left their home businesses for the public sphere, it began a chain of events that flipped the script of masculinity.
I found it fascinating to learn all these details about the process that created the secular script for masculinity we have today. Pearcey also explains how these philosophies affected women, children—specifically boys, and the church.
This book also made me realize that though I have been a Christian for almost eight years, I still believe in some aspects of the secular script. Pearcey’s explanation of biblical manhood challenged these beliefs. Pearcey does not say all men are basically good. Some men exhibit toxic behavior, as she experienced with her abusive father. But Pearcey rightly posits that toxic masculinity is the virus, not the software.
In conclusion, The Toxic War on Masculinity is an excellent book that I enthusiastically recommend! It is rich in historical and sociological details, theologically accurate, well-documented, and easy to read. Pearcey’s extensive research and insights on masculinity will undoubtedly be valuable to you, regardless of your perspective on this issue. Again, I highly recommend it.
Baker Books graciously gave me a copy for an honest review.
