When Poets Were Warriors: Retrieving a Biblical Vision of Masculinity

by Casey B. Hough

Almost every Christian man wants others to think of them as a “man’s man,” a “real man.” Yet, most of the time, these same men would be hard-pressed to provide a clear, compelling, and biblically rooted definition for what it means to be a man. Between the toxic masculinity and gender confusion of our day, the Christian church needs to retrieve a balanced vision of what it means to be a man.

Instead of allowing cultural stereotypes to form our vision of masculinity, we need to return to the emotionally complex and paradoxically challenging example of Jesus’ own life and teaching. As the last Adam, the true Son of Abraham, Son of David, Jesus demonstrates how to live in conformity to God’s will as a man as He calls us to follow Him.

When Poets Were Warriors studies the person and work of Jesus as an example of what it means to be a Christian man. Casey knows that Jesus is more than an example of masculinity, though he is not less. He wants readers to walk away from his book not only with a greater understanding of what it means to be a man, but also with a greater love for Jesus Christ. After all, Jesus provides the greatest example of what it means to be a man while doing what only he could redeeming others from sin through His life, death, and resurrection.

176 pages, Paperback

Published March 4, 2025

Reviews

[Zach Burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books on this topic I’ve read to date. Putting this quote below 1) because it’s to good not to share and 2) for future use in teaching

“Jesus corrects our imbalance of what it means to be a man. For some, this means Jesus needs to be seen more as a warrior than a poet. We need to see the Jesus who turned over tables in righteous anger because of injustice. We need to see the Jesus who confronted Pharisees with strong words for their misunderstanding and application of God's law. We need to see the Jesus who was not afraid to pronounce judgment over unrepentant cities. But for others, correcting the imbalance means Jesus needs to be seen more as a poet than a warrior. We need to see the emotional and relational life of the Son of Man who weeps, sings, serves, and eats with the lowly and the outcast.”

[Trevor Wheeker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Balanced, encouraging, and humble. I typically don’t enjoy these sorts of books. I read it with a group of men and it sparked some healthy conversation about Jesus as the archetypal man, fighting against stereotypes, and the relationship between our identity and culture. Great group read.

[Evan Cruse · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've never read a book on Biblical masculinity before - but this feels well balanced, rational, and helpful.