S3E16 Redefining Masculinity in the Church, with Robert Beckford, Bekah Legg, and Will Van der Hart

This conversation follows on from a previous podcast (S3E6) with Will Van der Hart about Masculinity. Here Melanie Cave invites Will plus two more guests, Prof Robert Beckford and Bekah Legg, to explore the multifaceted crisis of masculinity, particularly within the church and society. It highlights the importance of including women's voices in discussions about masculinity, the need for a critical examination of Biblical texts, and the cultural influences that shape our understanding of gender roles. The speakers emphasize the necessity of theological training and education to foster healthy teaching about Biblical masculinity, advocating for a compassionate and empathetic approach to male identity. They also address the intersection of race and masculinity, particularly in the context of Black men in the UK, and the church's role in addressing these issues. Ultimately, the conversation calls for ongoing dialogue and action to create supportive environments for all individuals.

Takeaways

Biblical texts often reflect cultural biases that need critical examination.

Cultural influences significantly impact perceptions of masculinity.

The church has a vital role in addressing issues of masculinity and domestic abuse.

Training young men in empathy and compassion is crucial.

Strength should be redefined as strength in service.

Engaging with difficult biblical texts is necessary for growth.

The intersection of race and masculinity presents unique challenges.

Ongoing dialogue and action are needed to foster healthy masculinity.

 

Sound Bites

'Masculinity is a relational term.'

'We need to rethink how we read the Bible.'

'We need to redeem the problematic texts.'

 

Chapters

00:00 The Role of Women in the Masculinity Conversation

04:30 Personal Reflections on Masculinity

07:06 Biblical Perspectives on Masculinity

11:56 Cultural Influences on Masculinity

16:31 The Crisis of Masculinity in the Church

20:16 Training and Education for Healthy Masculinity

25:19 Engaging Young Men in Positive Masculinity

30:54 The Intersection of Race and Masculinity

35:41 Advocacy and Accountability in Masculinity

41:07 The Future of Masculinity in the Church

57:22 Introduction to Roots for Churches

 

Show notes

• Order Robert’s book ‘Behold the Men’
• Bekah leads a Christian charity called Restored who speak up about violence against women and equip churches to stand against domestic abuse and support survivors. They’ve got training, downloadable resources, and preaching support for the more challenging Bible passages we mentioned.
• Read Will’s article on Masculinity on the Roots for churches website, where he shares ideas of how your church can address unhelpful narratives masculinity.