What it Means to be a Man: God's Design for Us in a World Full of Extremes

by Rhett Smith

We hear the story of David and Goliath and wonder, “Do we have what it takes to slay the giant?” Men today are confronted with many different expectations of who they’re supposed to be and what role they should be filling. By looking at history, the clichés of manhood, and what intimacy with God looks like, this short book will help men (and women) rethink what it means to be a man in today’s culture. Counselor and pastor Rhett Smith works through tough questions When Christ calls us to follow Him, He paves a path that is different than our cultural expectations, a path that leads us to a relationship with Him and to true knowledge of what it means to be a man.

Genres: Religion, Christian Living

128 pages, Paperback

First published April 12, 2013

Reviews

[Barnabas Piper · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book as a short, concise primer on the essentials of manhood. It's a quick read and can be used effectively in discussion or for solo reading. The best aspect of it is the balance - it focuses on the character of a man and how he reflects God's image rather than roles, tasks, or other more contentious issues. Rhett doesn't push for either extreme - aggressive fighter or sensitive feeler - but rather seeks to find which characteristics make up true manhood. It would be a good book for the high powered lawyer or the exploring college student.

In full disclosure, I work for Moody Publishers, who published this book, but I had no role in it's creation. I simply read it as a reader and benefited from it.

[Adam Shields · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short Review: The concept of what it means to be a man has become confused as the world has moved beyond traditional gender roles, as there has been a pushback to embrace violence or aggression as manly and at the same time women are asking for men to be more open and intimate.

Rhett Smith, a family counselor, has a short book that would make a great discussion book for a small group or mentoring relationship. I think it leans toward teen or 20-something but I also think that it would be a great book for older men to walk through with younger men. I think the cross generational conceptions of what it means to be a man would really stand out when men of different ages talk about their own history and experience along with the book.

This is short, most chapters are 4 or 5 pages and there is just under 100 pages of main content (along with a discussion guide.)

This is a book well worth reading.

My full review is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/what-it-means-to-be-...

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

In What It Means to Be a Man, Rhett Smith to guide readers into tapping into their masculinity and being more centered on God's design for our ultimate manhood journey. The book is divided into four sections, "Awareness, Honesty, Openness, and Movement". Rhett Smith begins the book by exploring the concepts presented in David's life. He also described the different archetypes that David was and he encouraged men to be honesty about which one they tend to be. He makes a great point and asked the tough question that every boy ponders at one time of their life, "Do I have what it take to slay the giant?" (Page 23). Men, our giants can be sickness, disease, financial problems, father wounds or fatherlessness, marriage problems, wayward sons and daughters, the fear of intimacy, being vulnerability, the fear of sharing their emotions and thoughts, depression, anger, suppressing their feelings with addictions, etc. There are a number of giants we may be facing and throughout this book, Rhett Smith will assist men in finding out what it truly means to be a man.

This book helped me to realize that I struggle with living in balance between being too passive and aggressive. I tend to be too passive and I withdraw and most of the time I have trouble being vulnerable and being intimate. I fear in being hurt again, rejected, or abandoned. I also noticed that in one of the chapters that I do in fact have a father wound. My father has always been there for me and there has always been an emotional distance between us. He was continuously driven to work hard and achieve. His dad died when he was ten years old and I know he had to teach himself how to be a man. My dad hasn't really taught me how to be a man and he knows way more about fixing cars, then I do. I kind of wished he passed down some of that knowledge. And we rarely have a conversation together even though we live in the same home. I especially loved the suggestion that Rhett Smith gave men, he encouraged fathers to actively engage with their sons every single day. Just think of the impact this small act could have and influence your child's life.

I would recommend this outstanding book to every single man, son, and father who is deliberating what it truly means to be a man. This book will positively influence every man and challenge men to vigorously participate in their lives. I immensely loved the content and study guide offered in this phenomenon book about a God centered approach to manhood. I also loved the aspect of the book being written as short chapters on topics that men struggle with and the book could be read and studied as a devotional. Rhett Smith personally endorsed that men read should read it for a total of sixteen weeks (4 months) and with a group where men are strengthened and transformed together. The book provided viral healing and the importance to dwell on my identity in Christ and His unconditional love for me. If you're looking for a life altering book on becoming the man God has created you to be and you're longing for your relationships with others and most importantly God to be fulfilled, and intimacy to be rekindled, then read this book and be changed!

"I received this book free from the publisher through the Moody Publishers book review bloggers program."

[Trent · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've got to admit, there was a lot of hype going in to this book. I had heard a lot about it in the past months and was highly anticipating it. Maybe I was expecting something to fall between CS Lewis and Mark Driscoll, a crazy combination I know, but I wanted so bad a book that really spoke to men. Instead I feel like its a book of daily devotionals or weekly small group discussions that are only surface deep. Don't get me wrong, there were a few enjoyable moments, but I feel that the introduction may have been the best part of the book.

[Tia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple. Straightforward. Insightful. My husband and I are going through resources for our campus ministry and have fallen in love with this short book. I learned a lot about what men struggle with and how they process information, from a man's perspective, and not the usual hyper-emotional bent that's tagged on to books for women. Hoping I can find something similar and as good for the girls in our ministry.

[Brian Mercer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somewhat disappointed. Was hoping for a more challenging look at the psychology of males through Rhett's perspective and experience. His blog is often challenging and fresh-thinking but this book was pretty generic. It might be a good read for a twenty-something, newly married male, or group of young males but as a male ten years into marriage i was left wanting more.

[Bradley Heck · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good points, but the author doesn't expand much on them. Each point is only about four pages long which is enough time to introduce them but not enough time to dig deeper.

[Adam Gossman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd recommend this. Very accessible and well sourced.

[Stephen Boutry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well done Rhett. We'll be using this with dudes on campus this year!