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How God Makes Men: Ten Epic Stories. Ten Proven Principles. One Huge Promise for Your Life.
“All through the Bible, we see stories of bold and brash men who followed God’s call into some incredible adventures. In How God Makes Men, Patrick Morley reminds us that God still makes those kinds of guys.”—Dave Ramsey, New York Times bestselling author and nationally syndicated radio show host God’s Way for You to Become God’s Man Let’s face it—men today are under severe attack. The battle line against biblical manhood is clearly drawn and fiercely contested. More than ever, men who want to follow Christ are • Why is it so hard to live an authentic Christian life? • Who will show me how to thrive as a father, a husband, and on the job? • What should I do when I’m being tested to the breaking point? Fortunately, the Bible preserves crucial details about the powerful lessons learned by men who have already faced and answered these questions. In How God Makes Men, renowned expert on men’s issues Patrick Morley takes you into Scripture for a first-hand encounter • Ten epic stories of the Bible’s most talked-about men • Ten proven principles—based on their failures and successes—that show how God works in a man’s life, and how you can cooperate with Him in yours • The huge promise that you can become the man God created you to be Don’t settle for less. Join Patrick on this epic adventure of becoming God’s man. You’ll discover how to prevail in tough times and release God’s power in every area of your life.
210 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
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April 6, 2014
Title: How God Makes Men
Author: Patrick Morley
Publisher: Multnomah Books
Year: 2013
Pages: 190
Man in the Mirror
[The FCC is convinced that you may somehow be led astray if I do not inform you that I received a free copy of this book from Waterbrook Multnomah in exchange for this thoroughly unbiased and fair review of this book. I hope this helps you sleep better.]
There is a passage of Scripture found in 1 Corinthians 10 that says this: "Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did...these things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of all the ages has come" (1 Corinthians 10:6, 11 TNIV). I preface my review with this passage because it is important to remember, or to be made aware of, the reasons why the Bible was written and preserved and passed along. We are the beneficiaries of the wisdom of the saints.
A curious thing about books like this and my love/hate relationship with them is that sometimes I simply do not know what to make of them. I often wonder about those authors who take Scripture and reduce it to mere principals for living (or, as in Morley's case, 10 principles for living or making of better men.) Yet there is also this curious notion in Morley's book that 'nothing that happens to us by human decision can ever happen apart from the will of God' (24). That is, Morley seems to believe that, human free-will notwithstanding, everything that happens in this life happens in someway in concert with the will of God. He may not directly cause it, but neither will he necessarily always prevent it.
In Morley's words: "God wants us to know He is in control. He doesn't do 'random.'" (25)
If that is true, then even the fact that I chose this book from the selection list, read it, and am writing this review is not mere coincidence to God, but is something that he planned, or at bare minimum, he knew I would do. So what should I do? Paul says these stories were written down to teach us which seems to validate Morley's (and many, many others') use of Scripture to write about principles for living. Yet, I having this gnawing sense of angst that Scripture points to a much larger idea than can be reduced to mere principle (see Luke 24:27, 44).
But the truth is this: for all the talk about manliness, how God makes men, and the examples we should follow, Morley didn't talk about the one man who gives us the best example of what it means to be a man: Jesus. Oh, don't get me wrong: Morley talks about Jesus, but there's not a single chapter devoted to the example Jesus sets for us men. Maybe this is a good thing because maybe it means that Morley refuses to look at Jesus as mere example we should strive to imitate even though the apostle Paul seems rather convinced that Jesus is the one person we should imitate: "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ" (1 Corinthians 11:1). This seems to be appropriate given what Morley states as his thesis:
Here's the promise of How God Makes Men. And it's a huge one. If you will absorb and embrace the timeless principles offered by these ten men, you can get past the shallow cultural Christianity that wants to gut your manhood and get to--or get back to--a more biblical Christianity.
If you will let these ten men mentor you, then, like them, you will become the man God created you to be. You will release the power of God in every direction and detail of your life. You will know how to sustain the passion of your faith. And you will be well on the way to writing your own epic story. Why? Because God is too good to let our lives merely turn out like we planned. (xiii)
To be sure, the man God wants me to be, according to Patrick Morley, is quite a stout individual. Of that, there can be little or no doubt. If I follow these principles, I will be virtually unconquerable and undefeated; nothing will dominate me. Perhaps this is a good thing, but maybe I will never know in this lifetime.
If I set aside my qualms about how authors us the Bible, I can safely say that I really enjoyed this book. As I noted above, I don't think I was reading it by accident and thus, it truly spoke to me in many places. It helped me understand, frankly, that it is quite alright to be ordinary, quite alright to struggle, quite alright to have bad days, and quite alright to thoroughly miss God's point time and time again. Morley said it this way: "...God is more interested in the success of our character than the success of our circumstances" (42). Funny thing is that the preacher I listened to this morning made a startlingly similar comment about the Christian and character.
Another significant aspect of this book is that even though I have my reservations, the book is thoroughly grounded in Scripture. Morley spends a lot of time in the Scripture in this book and I did and do appreciate that very much. It was refreshing to re-read the stories of Abraham, Gideon, Moses, Nehemiah and others. It was refreshing to have a fresh set of eyes surveying their stories and pointing out aspects that might otherwise be overlooked or disregarded.
Finally, it is also important to note that Morley spends a lot of time calling men out of themselves an into ministry. Now, I don't think he necessarily means that every man who reads this book is going to enter into full-time, paid, 'professional' ministry. But I do think he means that every man is called to be used uniquely by God in some small or large part of the world. This seems to correspond to something David wrote in Psalm 51: "Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you." Morley's point is that when we go through the sort of trials he describes, we will find that often God is burdening our heart for a certain segment of the population.
I remember when I was a fresh-faced, enthusiastic 25 year-old just out of Bible college. I was eager to preach. That was my burden. Frankly, it is still my burden. So off I went, a day or two after I graduated to the first church that took an interest: far down in the hills of Appalachia to a small town so far from humanity that they bragged about not having a single traffic light in the entire county. I lasted all of a year and a half. About a year later, I was called back to preaching ministry. I lasted another 2 years and some before making a rather difficult transition to a new congregation where I stayed for nearly 10 years.
I am now a public school teacher and scarcely a member of any church let alone the preaching minister. I attribute this, in large part, to the fact that I have had no male leadership in my life. I remember the man who led me to Jesus, who baptized me, and who subsequently vanished afterwards. I gave my life to Jesus in 1983 and from there launched out on a one-man journey. I got lost along the way because I did not have the sort of adult male leadership in my life that was necessary for me to avoid all the pitfalls that have caused me struggle after struggle in my life and have caused failure after failure in my career. I often wonder what my life would be like, what my preaching ministries would have been like, if just one older man had taken me under his wing and treated me like a young christian man who needed guidance and love instead of as an employee that he needed to govern and control.
Fact is, those men have been non-existent in my life and the results have been painful.
It's not easy to become a man. Many young men today have grown up as practical orphans. They've been left to guess at what normal male behavior looks like. The faith of young men is under severe attack. That's where the battle is raging. And frankly, mature Christian men are just not getting the discipleship job done. (153)
So if it is true that nothing happens apart from God's will, then this book came to me according to God's plan and will for my life. And if that is true, and I am leaning in that direction, then it came at the right time because at my age, I still have no adult male leadership in my life. I'm still trying to make sense of it all--on my own. It is still difficult. I'm still waiting. I have a strong suspicion that there are more men my age who have the same sorrows and the same needs and who failed at local church ministry precisely for these reasons.
But I have the books the Lord keeps sending me. This book, How God Makes Men, is a helpful, necessary, and powerful tool. It is an important voice that I needed to hear right here, right now. And with that in mind, maybe there is hope yet that I will become the man God intends for me to be.
4.5/5
Author: Patrick Morley
Publisher: Multnomah Books
Year: 2013
Pages: 190
Man in the Mirror
[The FCC is convinced that you may somehow be led astray if I do not inform you that I received a free copy of this book from Waterbrook Multnomah in exchange for this thoroughly unbiased and fair review of this book. I hope this helps you sleep better.]
There is a passage of Scripture found in 1 Corinthians 10 that says this: "Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did...these things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of all the ages has come" (1 Corinthians 10:6, 11 TNIV). I preface my review with this passage because it is important to remember, or to be made aware of, the reasons why the Bible was written and preserved and passed along. We are the beneficiaries of the wisdom of the saints.
A curious thing about books like this and my love/hate relationship with them is that sometimes I simply do not know what to make of them. I often wonder about those authors who take Scripture and reduce it to mere principals for living (or, as in Morley's case, 10 principles for living or making of better men.) Yet there is also this curious notion in Morley's book that 'nothing that happens to us by human decision can ever happen apart from the will of God' (24). That is, Morley seems to believe that, human free-will notwithstanding, everything that happens in this life happens in someway in concert with the will of God. He may not directly cause it, but neither will he necessarily always prevent it.
In Morley's words: "God wants us to know He is in control. He doesn't do 'random.'" (25)
If that is true, then even the fact that I chose this book from the selection list, read it, and am writing this review is not mere coincidence to God, but is something that he planned, or at bare minimum, he knew I would do. So what should I do? Paul says these stories were written down to teach us which seems to validate Morley's (and many, many others') use of Scripture to write about principles for living. Yet, I having this gnawing sense of angst that Scripture points to a much larger idea than can be reduced to mere principle (see Luke 24:27, 44).
But the truth is this: for all the talk about manliness, how God makes men, and the examples we should follow, Morley didn't talk about the one man who gives us the best example of what it means to be a man: Jesus. Oh, don't get me wrong: Morley talks about Jesus, but there's not a single chapter devoted to the example Jesus sets for us men. Maybe this is a good thing because maybe it means that Morley refuses to look at Jesus as mere example we should strive to imitate even though the apostle Paul seems rather convinced that Jesus is the one person we should imitate: "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ" (1 Corinthians 11:1). This seems to be appropriate given what Morley states as his thesis:
Here's the promise of How God Makes Men. And it's a huge one. If you will absorb and embrace the timeless principles offered by these ten men, you can get past the shallow cultural Christianity that wants to gut your manhood and get to--or get back to--a more biblical Christianity.
If you will let these ten men mentor you, then, like them, you will become the man God created you to be. You will release the power of God in every direction and detail of your life. You will know how to sustain the passion of your faith. And you will be well on the way to writing your own epic story. Why? Because God is too good to let our lives merely turn out like we planned. (xiii)
To be sure, the man God wants me to be, according to Patrick Morley, is quite a stout individual. Of that, there can be little or no doubt. If I follow these principles, I will be virtually unconquerable and undefeated; nothing will dominate me. Perhaps this is a good thing, but maybe I will never know in this lifetime.
If I set aside my qualms about how authors us the Bible, I can safely say that I really enjoyed this book. As I noted above, I don't think I was reading it by accident and thus, it truly spoke to me in many places. It helped me understand, frankly, that it is quite alright to be ordinary, quite alright to struggle, quite alright to have bad days, and quite alright to thoroughly miss God's point time and time again. Morley said it this way: "...God is more interested in the success of our character than the success of our circumstances" (42). Funny thing is that the preacher I listened to this morning made a startlingly similar comment about the Christian and character.
Another significant aspect of this book is that even though I have my reservations, the book is thoroughly grounded in Scripture. Morley spends a lot of time in the Scripture in this book and I did and do appreciate that very much. It was refreshing to re-read the stories of Abraham, Gideon, Moses, Nehemiah and others. It was refreshing to have a fresh set of eyes surveying their stories and pointing out aspects that might otherwise be overlooked or disregarded.
Finally, it is also important to note that Morley spends a lot of time calling men out of themselves an into ministry. Now, I don't think he necessarily means that every man who reads this book is going to enter into full-time, paid, 'professional' ministry. But I do think he means that every man is called to be used uniquely by God in some small or large part of the world. This seems to correspond to something David wrote in Psalm 51: "Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you." Morley's point is that when we go through the sort of trials he describes, we will find that often God is burdening our heart for a certain segment of the population.
I remember when I was a fresh-faced, enthusiastic 25 year-old just out of Bible college. I was eager to preach. That was my burden. Frankly, it is still my burden. So off I went, a day or two after I graduated to the first church that took an interest: far down in the hills of Appalachia to a small town so far from humanity that they bragged about not having a single traffic light in the entire county. I lasted all of a year and a half. About a year later, I was called back to preaching ministry. I lasted another 2 years and some before making a rather difficult transition to a new congregation where I stayed for nearly 10 years.
I am now a public school teacher and scarcely a member of any church let alone the preaching minister. I attribute this, in large part, to the fact that I have had no male leadership in my life. I remember the man who led me to Jesus, who baptized me, and who subsequently vanished afterwards. I gave my life to Jesus in 1983 and from there launched out on a one-man journey. I got lost along the way because I did not have the sort of adult male leadership in my life that was necessary for me to avoid all the pitfalls that have caused me struggle after struggle in my life and have caused failure after failure in my career. I often wonder what my life would be like, what my preaching ministries would have been like, if just one older man had taken me under his wing and treated me like a young christian man who needed guidance and love instead of as an employee that he needed to govern and control.
Fact is, those men have been non-existent in my life and the results have been painful.
It's not easy to become a man. Many young men today have grown up as practical orphans. They've been left to guess at what normal male behavior looks like. The faith of young men is under severe attack. That's where the battle is raging. And frankly, mature Christian men are just not getting the discipleship job done. (153)
So if it is true that nothing happens apart from God's will, then this book came to me according to God's plan and will for my life. And if that is true, and I am leaning in that direction, then it came at the right time because at my age, I still have no adult male leadership in my life. I'm still trying to make sense of it all--on my own. It is still difficult. I'm still waiting. I have a strong suspicion that there are more men my age who have the same sorrows and the same needs and who failed at local church ministry precisely for these reasons.
But I have the books the Lord keeps sending me. This book, How God Makes Men, is a helpful, necessary, and powerful tool. It is an important voice that I needed to hear right here, right now. And with that in mind, maybe there is hope yet that I will become the man God intends for me to be.
4.5/5
June 9, 2018
The best qualities in men are shaped by the suffering and trials they overcome on their path of maturation. God's will is not always man's because free will allows choices based on desires within this world where mankind is mortal flesh. To be a man who inspires others but, more importantly, praises God, requires selflessness to serve and complete surrender to trust in God.
Patrick Morley uses ten men in the bible to demonstrate how God makes men according to His will and not their own which tries to make God a servant to their desires. Thought-provoking questions follow each chapter. They arouse insight and introspection within the reader. Accounts of divine intervention reveals Abraham's faith, Joseph's perseverance, Moses' humility, Gideon's courage, David's heart, Solomon's wisdom, Nehemiah's zeal, Job's integrity, Peter's boldness, and Paul's passion. This book aligns man's efforts to the will of God for His glory and man's well being.
Patrick Morley uses ten men in the bible to demonstrate how God makes men according to His will and not their own which tries to make God a servant to their desires. Thought-provoking questions follow each chapter. They arouse insight and introspection within the reader. Accounts of divine intervention reveals Abraham's faith, Joseph's perseverance, Moses' humility, Gideon's courage, David's heart, Solomon's wisdom, Nehemiah's zeal, Job's integrity, Peter's boldness, and Paul's passion. This book aligns man's efforts to the will of God for His glory and man's well being.
June 8, 2016
About the Book
I'm always somewhat skeptical when I pick up a book that outlines takeaways from people in scripture. Let's just be honest, most books that fall into this category often times project much more onto the biblical text than what is really there. Sometimes even to the extreme that it warps the overall story and intent of the Bible. This book by Patrick Morley however, isn't one of those books.
Morley walks you through ten different stories from the Bible centered around great men of God (Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Gideon, David, Solomon, Nehemiah, Job, Peter, Paul) and focuses on God's faithfulness in the midst of the struggles and triumphs in these mens lives. In each chapter Morley tells their story and provides the reader with one principle to learn. If you're looking to be challenged as a man in today's culture, you don't have to get too far into this book. Morley really does a masterful job of taking some deep theology surrounding suffering, faith, weakness, correction, and puts each lesson in it's rightful place making it practical and actionable in your own life.
"There is a God we want, and there is a God who is. They are not the same God. The turning point of our lives is when we stop seeking the God we want and start seeking the God who is."
The overarching theme of this book is God's faithfulness and Morley really challenges your view of God and His place in your life. Not unlike these great men of the Bible we also face times of intense stress and doubt about things going on in our lives. It's solely through a proper perspective of who God is that men can take refuge and persevere through those times by relying on the power of God in their own lives.
The Good
The biggest takeaway for me about this book was the fact that Morley doesn't offer easy answers to fix things gone wrong in your life. He doesn't offer you a three step process to reconcile problems that you are facing and prevail. He simply points you back to Christ and our need to constantly surrender our will and life back to God even when we don't see the full picture. We must trust that God in His sovereignty has things under control.
There were several times while reading this book, particularly in the story of Nehemiah, where it helped me process specific tendencies in my own life where I struggle to see God properly at times. It's one thing to know how you are supposed to respond in the up and downs of the Christian life, it's a whole other thing to actively live out what you know. Morley highlights that struggle well in this book and really relates to men that we're not alone in this fight.
The Bad
If you are going to pick up this book, make sure to invest time beyond just what Morley has outlined inside each chapter to better understand these men's stories in their full context. There were a few times where I felt like Morley devoted a lot of time to one side of the story to make his principle or points stick without highlighting a true picture of the biblical person. That said I realize that no book can offer that much detail within it's pages and that's certainly not this book's intent anyway.
I'd also offer that we must be careful to not take some of these principles any farther than biblical text would allow. When looking at Abraham's extreme faith we cannot take his story and place it over our lives acting foolish all in the name of faith. Make sure you balance out what Morley is challenging you to grasp and the limitations the Bible gives. All in all, I would recommend this book as I found it to be encouraging and very helpful.
I'm always somewhat skeptical when I pick up a book that outlines takeaways from people in scripture. Let's just be honest, most books that fall into this category often times project much more onto the biblical text than what is really there. Sometimes even to the extreme that it warps the overall story and intent of the Bible. This book by Patrick Morley however, isn't one of those books.
Morley walks you through ten different stories from the Bible centered around great men of God (Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Gideon, David, Solomon, Nehemiah, Job, Peter, Paul) and focuses on God's faithfulness in the midst of the struggles and triumphs in these mens lives. In each chapter Morley tells their story and provides the reader with one principle to learn. If you're looking to be challenged as a man in today's culture, you don't have to get too far into this book. Morley really does a masterful job of taking some deep theology surrounding suffering, faith, weakness, correction, and puts each lesson in it's rightful place making it practical and actionable in your own life.
"There is a God we want, and there is a God who is. They are not the same God. The turning point of our lives is when we stop seeking the God we want and start seeking the God who is."
The overarching theme of this book is God's faithfulness and Morley really challenges your view of God and His place in your life. Not unlike these great men of the Bible we also face times of intense stress and doubt about things going on in our lives. It's solely through a proper perspective of who God is that men can take refuge and persevere through those times by relying on the power of God in their own lives.
The Good
The biggest takeaway for me about this book was the fact that Morley doesn't offer easy answers to fix things gone wrong in your life. He doesn't offer you a three step process to reconcile problems that you are facing and prevail. He simply points you back to Christ and our need to constantly surrender our will and life back to God even when we don't see the full picture. We must trust that God in His sovereignty has things under control.
There were several times while reading this book, particularly in the story of Nehemiah, where it helped me process specific tendencies in my own life where I struggle to see God properly at times. It's one thing to know how you are supposed to respond in the up and downs of the Christian life, it's a whole other thing to actively live out what you know. Morley highlights that struggle well in this book and really relates to men that we're not alone in this fight.
The Bad
If you are going to pick up this book, make sure to invest time beyond just what Morley has outlined inside each chapter to better understand these men's stories in their full context. There were a few times where I felt like Morley devoted a lot of time to one side of the story to make his principle or points stick without highlighting a true picture of the biblical person. That said I realize that no book can offer that much detail within it's pages and that's certainly not this book's intent anyway.
I'd also offer that we must be careful to not take some of these principles any farther than biblical text would allow. When looking at Abraham's extreme faith we cannot take his story and place it over our lives acting foolish all in the name of faith. Make sure you balance out what Morley is challenging you to grasp and the limitations the Bible gives. All in all, I would recommend this book as I found it to be encouraging and very helpful.
January 7, 2014
How God Makes Men is written by author Patrick Morley who is best known for The Man in the Mirror.
This was my first time reading Morley and I was admittedly nervous to read this book as I find most Christian books aimed at men are overly stereotypical and not much more than a parody of an actual Christian man. Thankfully this book wasn’t at all what I was fearing it would be, and in fact I think that even though many of the illustrations are targeted towards men, anyone could read this book and be inspired by the content. The truths expounded are biblical and the descriptions on how to live them out are very practical.
The book is made up of ten chapters each based on an individual from the Bible: Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Gideon, David, Solomon, Nehemiah, Job, Peter, and Paul. At the end of each chapter there are three questions for reflection and discussion, making it a great resource for small groups. The two stand out chapters for me were Gideon: The Principle of the Unexpected Leader and Nehemiah: The Principle of a Passionate Calling. As a pastor and a leader I found both of these chapters to be very compelling and convicting.
Here are a few stand out quotes from the book:
“Where does the power to persevere come from? It comes from the Holy Spirit, but it also comes from accurate knowledge, from having good theology”
(p. 29).
��…God is more interested in the success of our character than the success of our circumstances” (p. 42).
“Our weaknesses is the ideal medium for God to display His power and presence” (p. 62).
“Our callings are about what God wants, what God is doing, what God is changing, what God is transforming” (p. 117).
“…making disciples is a choice between right and wrong, obedience and disobedience” (p. 137).
I would definitely recommend this book to men for either individual reading or a small group. How God Makes Men is an easy read while at the same time it has a lot of great insights and interesting looks at numerous people found in scripture.
For a link to read chapter one of this book for FREE, see my review here:
Blog: www.jonathanstephens.wordpress.com
Twitter: @jonstephensNY
I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.
This was my first time reading Morley and I was admittedly nervous to read this book as I find most Christian books aimed at men are overly stereotypical and not much more than a parody of an actual Christian man. Thankfully this book wasn’t at all what I was fearing it would be, and in fact I think that even though many of the illustrations are targeted towards men, anyone could read this book and be inspired by the content. The truths expounded are biblical and the descriptions on how to live them out are very practical.
The book is made up of ten chapters each based on an individual from the Bible: Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Gideon, David, Solomon, Nehemiah, Job, Peter, and Paul. At the end of each chapter there are three questions for reflection and discussion, making it a great resource for small groups. The two stand out chapters for me were Gideon: The Principle of the Unexpected Leader and Nehemiah: The Principle of a Passionate Calling. As a pastor and a leader I found both of these chapters to be very compelling and convicting.
Here are a few stand out quotes from the book:
“Where does the power to persevere come from? It comes from the Holy Spirit, but it also comes from accurate knowledge, from having good theology”
(p. 29).
��…God is more interested in the success of our character than the success of our circumstances” (p. 42).
“Our weaknesses is the ideal medium for God to display His power and presence” (p. 62).
“Our callings are about what God wants, what God is doing, what God is changing, what God is transforming” (p. 117).
“…making disciples is a choice between right and wrong, obedience and disobedience” (p. 137).
I would definitely recommend this book to men for either individual reading or a small group. How God Makes Men is an easy read while at the same time it has a lot of great insights and interesting looks at numerous people found in scripture.
For a link to read chapter one of this book for FREE, see my review here:
Blog: www.jonathanstephens.wordpress.com
Twitter: @jonstephensNY
I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.
August 25, 2014
My men's Bible study group just got done with this book. I thought it was excellent. Every chapter I read I thought to myself "Wow, this is certainly an issue that I am dealing with". The next week would be the same.
Morley takes a man from the Bible and covers how God shaped that man by what he went through. You will be able to see how God works in our lives through issues we face.
Highly recommend it for personal reading but especially for a men's Bible study group. There are discussion questions at the end of each chapter.
Morley takes a man from the Bible and covers how God shaped that man by what he went through. You will be able to see how God works in our lives through issues we face.
Highly recommend it for personal reading but especially for a men's Bible study group. There are discussion questions at the end of each chapter.
June 8, 2015
Pretty good book. I copied down many powerful quotes from it. It will always amaze me how men from thousands of years ago can relate to many of the same things as we do today.
November 19, 2018
Overall I think the book is worth reading. I am probably a little more critical on this one since it is designed for men's ministry and some good discussion. My primary criticism is in the area of Biblical Interpretation. Morley pulls come great discussion and many very relevant issues that absolutely need to be addressed but in a few places I believe he missed what was going on in the story. My only illustration here will address the section on Solomon. Morley makes Solomon out to be a sex addict, leading to his downfall with idolatry. While it is true that with as many wives and concubines as the stories tell, sex was an issue, the issue with the wives that really caused the problem was power. In the Ancient Near East a king was deemed powerful if he had the ability to have that many wives, etc... Solomon became powerless when he caved into the pressure to meet their religious needs in ways that didn't honor God. It wasn't the concubines that turned his heart and they served the same physical purpose as the wives. It was the wives from foreign nations. He was lured by the desire to make them happy in ways that were displeasing to God and failed to remain obedient to God as the king of Israel.
While the issue of sex is of extreme relevance in today's society, there are many great places in the Bible to direct men and women into the ways that please God.
Power too is an issue today. And Solomon's failure to be obedient to God, is a prime example of how power can corrupt.
The other things are of a similar nature, good points but not exactly what the context of the passage allows.
Will this book corrupt your thinking if you read it and apply the principles in an honorable manner? Not hardly. Any man who reads and applies these things will potentially walk straighter with Christ. As with any book that is designed to guide using biblical principles it will help the reader to dig deep into the Bible itself. It is amazing how unified it is.
While the issue of sex is of extreme relevance in today's society, there are many great places in the Bible to direct men and women into the ways that please God.
Power too is an issue today. And Solomon's failure to be obedient to God, is a prime example of how power can corrupt.
The other things are of a similar nature, good points but not exactly what the context of the passage allows.
Will this book corrupt your thinking if you read it and apply the principles in an honorable manner? Not hardly. Any man who reads and applies these things will potentially walk straighter with Christ. As with any book that is designed to guide using biblical principles it will help the reader to dig deep into the Bible itself. It is amazing how unified it is.
December 28, 2021
This book was given to me by my father and he said that this book was written for men, but that I can learn from it, too. I am glad he shared it with me because I did enjoy the book, the challenge questions and found few personal calls to action and takeaways.
The Bible was written during a different era when women were not seen, heard or regarded as equals as they are now. Men are more often listed as the subject of the story in the Bible, but these examples can often be useful for men and women. It has always benefitted me to keep an open mind, and I encourage others to do the same.
I particularly enjoyed the Nehemiah, Peter and Paul chapters. For about 10 years I have been out of the mission field, and broken-hearted about it. I never feel like I have fully regained my passion and calling to Godly action as an HR professional and working mother. I understand now that my main focus on discipling needs to be my kids and my main mission field is my family and friends who do not know God.
I will be passing this book off to a young man who I think will benefit from the wisdom within.
The Bible was written during a different era when women were not seen, heard or regarded as equals as they are now. Men are more often listed as the subject of the story in the Bible, but these examples can often be useful for men and women. It has always benefitted me to keep an open mind, and I encourage others to do the same.
I particularly enjoyed the Nehemiah, Peter and Paul chapters. For about 10 years I have been out of the mission field, and broken-hearted about it. I never feel like I have fully regained my passion and calling to Godly action as an HR professional and working mother. I understand now that my main focus on discipling needs to be my kids and my main mission field is my family and friends who do not know God.
I will be passing this book off to a young man who I think will benefit from the wisdom within.
October 17, 2025
In All Things, God Works for Good
We recently have used Patrick Morley’s “How God Makes Men” in a men’s fellowship. It has been a powerful and deeply helpful guide through struggles, challenges and disappointments that every man will experience in life. Using (mostly) familiar examples from the Bible (Nehemiah’s problems and calling might not be familiar to some), Morley examines the growth and strengthening that God brings about from these obstacles if men recognize the principles at work. Faith in the face of discomfiting demands, purpose beyond ourselves, transforming character, strength from weakness, redemption from sin, suffering and other experiences that to some degree interrupt every man’s life are considered by the examples of men in the Bible as well as contemporary examples. We are promised trials and tribulations in this world, but Morley helps us understand how “in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” I plan to make this excellent book a gift for the adult men in my family and recommend it to all men who wish to be godly in character. You will be blessed.
We recently have used Patrick Morley’s “How God Makes Men” in a men’s fellowship. It has been a powerful and deeply helpful guide through struggles, challenges and disappointments that every man will experience in life. Using (mostly) familiar examples from the Bible (Nehemiah’s problems and calling might not be familiar to some), Morley examines the growth and strengthening that God brings about from these obstacles if men recognize the principles at work. Faith in the face of discomfiting demands, purpose beyond ourselves, transforming character, strength from weakness, redemption from sin, suffering and other experiences that to some degree interrupt every man’s life are considered by the examples of men in the Bible as well as contemporary examples. We are promised trials and tribulations in this world, but Morley helps us understand how “in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” I plan to make this excellent book a gift for the adult men in my family and recommend it to all men who wish to be godly in character. You will be blessed.
October 17, 2025
The Men's Ministry at my church read through this book this summer. I did not read it with them, but on my own. I thought this was a good book and well worth reading. I really appreciated that it was a book that I could pick up and put down when I had time and still follow along within chapters. I also appreciated that fact that this book was easy to read. The premises is the author picking out 10 Men from Scripture who's stories we can learn lessons from. The book is good overall and I was prepared to give it a 3/5 when I finished it, however the last two chapters were really good so that made me pick 4/5. The last chapter is high-challenge and I was spurred on by the author's example of Paul's life as the ultimate servant. He asks the profound question at the end: "What does the Master (Jesus) need?" I absolutely love this call to action to live a Surrendered Life and my prayer is that I would live in a way that shows Jesus as my Master!!
October 26, 2024
The men's small group from church is working through this incredible book. My first introduction to Patrick Morley was many years ago with his book titled Man In The Mirror. Ever since, I have been a fan of this man, his ministry, along with his many books. Two favorite sections of the book cover Solomon and Paul. Whether you're covering this book in a group or personally, I definitely suggest reading with a highlighter and pencil. There are plenty of nuggets to be found in this treasure. Don't simply read the book, take the teaching information to heart and watch it change your life. If you want to grow in your relationship with the Lord Jesus, and strengthen and improve your family life along with those of other men, please read this book.
October 11, 2025
Patrick Morley’s How God Makes Men is essentially a shorter, more devotional, story-based version of Man in the Mirror. It’s geared toward young or new believers, providing practical reflections and biblical principles in an accessible way. While it can serve as a devotional resource, in my opinion it’s not worth reading this book if you’re going to read one—Man in the Mirror offers a fuller, more substantial study. Another excellent option for men seeking deeper insight is Wild at Heart by John Eldredge.
July 22, 2020
Ejemplos bíblicos de hombres que Dios utilizó y la forma en la que sus vidas fueron formadas para cumplir con el propósito divino en sus vidas. Es un buen libro si en el momento no conoces el propósito particular de Dios para tu vida, podrás conocer la forma en la que Dios ha obrado en otros hombres y verás el resultado que las dificultades, debilidades y sufrimientos que pasaron fueron utilizadas para cumplir con el plan de Dios para ellos.
July 24, 2025
Tremendous book for any man in the journey of their Christian faith. I LOVE the way Morley selected 10 men from the Bible and turned practical real life applications tying to their stories. Really can’t recommend this book enough. Absolutely perfect for small groups or a 1-1 study with a friend. A+ stuff here, and while Man in the Mirror was great - How God Makes Men feels like the home run Morley was looking for that will stand the test of time. Pick this one up!!
August 5, 2022
Good book on what characteristics of Himself that God gives to men to continually draw them to Himself. It picks 10 men from Scripture (10 chapters) and shows how different characteristics that the Lord grew them in made them into a Godly man. It is written probably more for husbands/fathers than a Young Adult but a good book nonetheless!
October 22, 2019
Filled with wisdom from God
If you are a older gentleman or are of the younger generation, you will be glad you bought this book. Patrick takes ordinary people and brings their story alive on a level anybody can understand. I highly recommend this book
If you are a older gentleman or are of the younger generation, you will be glad you bought this book. Patrick takes ordinary people and brings their story alive on a level anybody can understand. I highly recommend this book
January 31, 2023
I love how the author takes these men of the Bible and attaches their stories to principles of life.
There are so many lessons within each chapter. A good book for all men regardless of their beliefs.
There are so many lessons within each chapter. A good book for all men regardless of their beliefs.
December 25, 2025
A gift from my daughter, I really loved this book. As I have said previously, she knows how to pick books for me ..
I found reading it really made me do some soul searching, and it gave me the desire to want to become a better man..
I found reading it really made me do some soul searching, and it gave me the desire to want to become a better man..
December 8, 2013
What makes a man and far more importantly, what is the essence of what makes a man of God is truly a vital question in our day and age. The idea of manhood as presented in the media ranges from the individual seeking love in truly all the wrong places leaving a wake of heartbreak behind him or the male role model is viewed as the rough and tumble John Wayne character, straight and to the point with not much quality or lasting relationships left to show. This begs the obvious question as to where one should look for what is a far better perspective of manhood to include examples of what a man should be as well as what even a bad idea of manhood looks like. Author Patrick Morley, in his book How God Makes Men looks in the best place possible for the answer to this question, namely the Word of God.
In this book, Morley provides an overview of ten different well known male figures in both the Old and New Testament. Each chapter is focused on a certain attribute that comprises what Scripture deems as essential for a godly man, character traits such as faith, being devoted to sound principles, allowing God to transform your character, dealing with fear, correction, the true meaning of happiness, following your calling, suffering, equipping other godly men, and finally being empowered and empowering others to follow Christ.
The men that Morley examines all had their degrees of successes and failures. What makes taking the time to journey through their lives so important is I believe noting both their positive and negative traits. These ten men did mighty things for God and God used them in ways that many people might feel are far beyond anything God would ever do in their personal life. So far too often, we forget that great men of faith such as Abraham lied. David, a man described as being after God’s own heart committed adultery and had a man killed in the process. Paul, before his life was turned around by Jesus, persecuted Christians with great fervor. What does this mean for men today? It means that in spite of our proclivities to sin, God can still use us in a might way if we humble ourselves and follow Him.
Morley does an excellent job of elaborating in a very personable manner what each of these ten men in Scripture faced, what God did in their lives, how they dealt with failure and how they dealt with success. Additionally, Morley uses many examples from his own life as well as salient stories from the lives of others to drive home his points. In discussing the faith it took for Abraham to trust God and to leave a place of comfort for the land of promise, Morley rightly asks “So, what has God called you to do that may look outrageous? You may have no idea what you’re getting into. The question He is asking you is simple: Will you do it anyway?” Such a statement really gets to the heart of what it means to have faith in God as a man and as a leader of your family. Am I willing to do as Abraham did, namely uproot my family and strike out in faith simply because God asked me to? To follow God in that manner is a demonstration of a godly man, a man of faith who trusts that God knows what He is doing.
In an effort to further assist the reader with the application of the stories and principles discussed in each chapter, Morley provides a series of valuable study and reflection questions at the end of each chapter. For example, after spending a chapter working through the sin of adultery and murder committed by King David, Morley asks the reader to ponder the question of “How has God corrected and restored you from a sin that would have destroyed you?” This process of dealing with sin, or as the great Puritan author John Owen often stated, the constant need to mortify sin in our lives, is a must for a godly man to continue towards that place of maturity in the faith. It is essential for men to reflect on areas in their lives that need to come under the Lordship of God, places where we are perhaps harboring sin that needs to be cast at the foot of the cross.
How God Makes Men would be an excellent resource for a small group men’s study as the principles contained in this book are vital in a world where anything but a godly pattern of manly behavior is presented. We need more than ever godly men who will be willing to take a stand for truth, to be godly husbands and fathers, and to be leaders in the body of Christ who are focused on training and equipping the next generation of godly men who will come behind them. Morley’s book is an excellent guide on what it means to be a godly man, looking to Scripture for sound principles, all the while urging the reader to take look at their life so that “you can get past the shallow cultural Christianity that wants to gut your manhood and get to – or back to – a more biblical Christianity.”
I received this book for free from Multnomah Books for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
In this book, Morley provides an overview of ten different well known male figures in both the Old and New Testament. Each chapter is focused on a certain attribute that comprises what Scripture deems as essential for a godly man, character traits such as faith, being devoted to sound principles, allowing God to transform your character, dealing with fear, correction, the true meaning of happiness, following your calling, suffering, equipping other godly men, and finally being empowered and empowering others to follow Christ.
The men that Morley examines all had their degrees of successes and failures. What makes taking the time to journey through their lives so important is I believe noting both their positive and negative traits. These ten men did mighty things for God and God used them in ways that many people might feel are far beyond anything God would ever do in their personal life. So far too often, we forget that great men of faith such as Abraham lied. David, a man described as being after God’s own heart committed adultery and had a man killed in the process. Paul, before his life was turned around by Jesus, persecuted Christians with great fervor. What does this mean for men today? It means that in spite of our proclivities to sin, God can still use us in a might way if we humble ourselves and follow Him.
Morley does an excellent job of elaborating in a very personable manner what each of these ten men in Scripture faced, what God did in their lives, how they dealt with failure and how they dealt with success. Additionally, Morley uses many examples from his own life as well as salient stories from the lives of others to drive home his points. In discussing the faith it took for Abraham to trust God and to leave a place of comfort for the land of promise, Morley rightly asks “So, what has God called you to do that may look outrageous? You may have no idea what you’re getting into. The question He is asking you is simple: Will you do it anyway?” Such a statement really gets to the heart of what it means to have faith in God as a man and as a leader of your family. Am I willing to do as Abraham did, namely uproot my family and strike out in faith simply because God asked me to? To follow God in that manner is a demonstration of a godly man, a man of faith who trusts that God knows what He is doing.
In an effort to further assist the reader with the application of the stories and principles discussed in each chapter, Morley provides a series of valuable study and reflection questions at the end of each chapter. For example, after spending a chapter working through the sin of adultery and murder committed by King David, Morley asks the reader to ponder the question of “How has God corrected and restored you from a sin that would have destroyed you?” This process of dealing with sin, or as the great Puritan author John Owen often stated, the constant need to mortify sin in our lives, is a must for a godly man to continue towards that place of maturity in the faith. It is essential for men to reflect on areas in their lives that need to come under the Lordship of God, places where we are perhaps harboring sin that needs to be cast at the foot of the cross.
How God Makes Men would be an excellent resource for a small group men’s study as the principles contained in this book are vital in a world where anything but a godly pattern of manly behavior is presented. We need more than ever godly men who will be willing to take a stand for truth, to be godly husbands and fathers, and to be leaders in the body of Christ who are focused on training and equipping the next generation of godly men who will come behind them. Morley’s book is an excellent guide on what it means to be a godly man, looking to Scripture for sound principles, all the while urging the reader to take look at their life so that “you can get past the shallow cultural Christianity that wants to gut your manhood and get to – or back to – a more biblical Christianity.”
I received this book for free from Multnomah Books for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
December 9, 2017
Great book!
This book is very insightful and would be a welcomed resource for any man trying to become better Christian Men as the bible describes manhood (Biblical Manhood)
This book is very insightful and would be a welcomed resource for any man trying to become better Christian Men as the bible describes manhood (Biblical Manhood)
August 4, 2018
It's more sexist than I was expecting.
April 1, 2020
Good basic book on manhood.
I thought that Patrick Morley did a good job. It is a book that I would reccomend. I think that it could help men.
I thought that Patrick Morley did a good job. It is a book that I would reccomend. I think that it could help men.
July 10, 2020
I enjoyed the new take presented on the Biblical men covered. Gave me new eyes on some old stories. Very convicting stuff.
April 16, 2021
Excellent study! Teaches God uses imperfect men, like everyone of us. Grow from there, help others grow, and fully surrender! I'm not there yet, still struggling, but growing.
April 16, 2022
3 Stars Patrick Morley bible study of a unique attribute from 10 different men in the Bible.
September 17, 2024
Worth reading and would be good bk study with men
September 27, 2024
I think my biggest complaint to this book is that the explanations and understanding of scripture was just so repetitive. Once the scripture was quoted and idea explained, it seemed the next 5 pages would be the same explanation just reworded.
I think this book could have been half as long and still accomplish its goal.
I think this book could have been half as long and still accomplish its goal.
November 2, 2024
I bought this book for my son and decided to read it first.
This was well organized, with examples from the Bible to back up the doctrine. This book seems flawless. Excellent read.
This was well organized, with examples from the Bible to back up the doctrine. This book seems flawless. Excellent read.
February 20, 2025
Meant for a very specific niche this book is a good read and reminder. It's well worth the time investment.
January 7, 2014
Published: 2013
My rating: 4 of 5 stars.
“How God Makes Men” by Patrick Morley shows us the ten-thousand foot view of how God worked in the lives of men throughout Scripture and how He does so today. The amazing truth is that the process of maturity is the same. A holy God loves and redeems His people; He works in men through a process of faith, obedience, and perseverance in order to bring them to a place of spiritual maturity.
Morley is speaking specifically to men in his book. As founder of Man in the Mirror Ministry, his passion for men’s discipleship is clear throughout the book. The process of discipleship has been needed in all times and places, but he frames the unique challenges of discipling men today from his beliefs that:
“Men under forty are especially vulnerable to an alien worldview that is gutting the institutions of marriage and family. Our government agencies, social sector organizations, and businesses are overstrained trying to cope with the downstream damage of an increasingly fatherless, angry, and dysfunctional generation. There has to be a better way.”
Spiritual maturity is developed in the context of relationships. God works in people so people will reach out to others with His love. Morley tells us that developing men as disciples has a viral effect on families and the Church.
“Here’s the good news. If we get men right, we will get marriages right. If we get marriages right, we will get families right. If we get families right, we will get the church right. And if we get the church right, God will change the world.”
Morley shows us the profile of ten men, highlighting accounts in both the New and Old Testament. From Abraham to David to Paul, we see glimpses of the process that God worked in each man. Each profile highlights a particular principle of spiritual growth. We see an unexpected leader in Gideon; a passionate calling in Nehemiah; and a surrendered life in Paul. And what God has done in these lives is also available to us today. Morley makes a bold claim to his readers about the certainty of God’s ability to mobilize men:
“Here’s the promise of How God Makes Men. And it’s a huge one. If you absorb and embrace the timeless principles offered by these ten men, you can get past the shallow cultural Christianity that wants to gut your manhood and get to—or back to—a more biblical Christianity.”
The strength of this book is that it shows us characteristics of men who can be difficult to relate to today; few of us would say that we have much in common with Solomon or Joseph. However, once we understand that God was doing in a work in each of these sinner’s lives, they become strangely familiar to us: We see the fear that kept them from obeying and the confirmation of God’s promise to redeem men. The same promise is available to us today—God will work in and through each man to strengthen and mature him to the fullness that God intends.
I received this book from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for review
My rating: 4 of 5 stars.
“How God Makes Men” by Patrick Morley shows us the ten-thousand foot view of how God worked in the lives of men throughout Scripture and how He does so today. The amazing truth is that the process of maturity is the same. A holy God loves and redeems His people; He works in men through a process of faith, obedience, and perseverance in order to bring them to a place of spiritual maturity.
Morley is speaking specifically to men in his book. As founder of Man in the Mirror Ministry, his passion for men’s discipleship is clear throughout the book. The process of discipleship has been needed in all times and places, but he frames the unique challenges of discipling men today from his beliefs that:
“Men under forty are especially vulnerable to an alien worldview that is gutting the institutions of marriage and family. Our government agencies, social sector organizations, and businesses are overstrained trying to cope with the downstream damage of an increasingly fatherless, angry, and dysfunctional generation. There has to be a better way.”
Spiritual maturity is developed in the context of relationships. God works in people so people will reach out to others with His love. Morley tells us that developing men as disciples has a viral effect on families and the Church.
“Here’s the good news. If we get men right, we will get marriages right. If we get marriages right, we will get families right. If we get families right, we will get the church right. And if we get the church right, God will change the world.”
Morley shows us the profile of ten men, highlighting accounts in both the New and Old Testament. From Abraham to David to Paul, we see glimpses of the process that God worked in each man. Each profile highlights a particular principle of spiritual growth. We see an unexpected leader in Gideon; a passionate calling in Nehemiah; and a surrendered life in Paul. And what God has done in these lives is also available to us today. Morley makes a bold claim to his readers about the certainty of God’s ability to mobilize men:
“Here’s the promise of How God Makes Men. And it’s a huge one. If you absorb and embrace the timeless principles offered by these ten men, you can get past the shallow cultural Christianity that wants to gut your manhood and get to—or back to—a more biblical Christianity.”
The strength of this book is that it shows us characteristics of men who can be difficult to relate to today; few of us would say that we have much in common with Solomon or Joseph. However, once we understand that God was doing in a work in each of these sinner’s lives, they become strangely familiar to us: We see the fear that kept them from obeying and the confirmation of God’s promise to redeem men. The same promise is available to us today—God will work in and through each man to strengthen and mature him to the fullness that God intends.
I received this book from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for review
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