Ministries that target men by appealing to their supposed manliness are popping up all over the place these days (e.g., Church for Men, GodMen, etc.). More and more people think that the way to reach men is by catering to their love for “manly” stuff like sports and outdoor activities.
Fifty-one-year-old Ed Trainer, who runs International Fishing Ministries, thinks church is boring and better suited for women.
Ben the Baptist Blogger has a helpful discussion of a topic that probably isn’t addressed in very many sermons, Sunday school lessons, small group meetings, or Bible studies—or books for that matter: the ethics of the use of pharmaceutical enhancements like Viagra (Wikipedia).
After giving some cautions and warnings about its abuse, he concludes:
It is entirely possible that marriages suffering for cause of premature erectile dysfunction can be aided with cautious use of drugs like Viagra. But it is equally possible that an inordinate concern for sexual gratification by Christians can precipitate a neglect of primary and eternal spiritual duties. For this reason, sexual enhancement drugs should be taken cautiously.
While there is nothing inherently wrong, sinful or evil about a Christian man availing himself of advances in medical science that would enable him to remain sexually potent, a man must be cautious not to gain his sense of self-worth, adequacy or even the love of his spouse on account of his sexual virility. It should always serve as a reminder that the ultimate state of Christian men is heaven, where they will neither be married nor given in marriage. For this reason, only those who are certain that taking drugs like Viagra will not diminish their proper focus on things eternal should avail themselves of the drug’s benefit, and then only with caution and moderation.
I appreciated the emphasis on the nature of true manliness in Phil Johnson’s session:
Biblically, when we are talking about manliness, we are talking about character. We are not talking about bravado, or boyishness. It’s not about style at all. Going out into the woods and getting in touch with nature has nothing to do with real, biblical manliness. Real manliness is defined by Christlike character.
Ministries that target men by appealing to their supposed manliness are popping up all over the place these days (e.g., Church for Men, GodMen, etc.). More and more people think that the way to reach men is by catering to their love for “manly” stuff like sports and outdoor activities.
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Ben the Baptist Blogger has 
