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Men of Virtue: How the Fruit of the Spirit Forms Male Character in the Modern World
For Christian men searching for purpose, the crisis of masculinity is real.
But the solution isn't toxic bravado, gender erasure, or culture-war confusion. It's virtue.
In Men of Virtue, Zachary Wagner offers a distinctly Christian vision of masculinity inspired by the fruit of the Spirit that Paul commends to all believers. He shows us
● how the fruit of the Spirit guides character development;
● a nonpartisan, biblically grounded vision of masculinity; and
● what it looks like for men to live out scriptural virtues in distinct, embodied ways.
Moving through love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, Wagner shows how these virtues uniquely shape men's strength, relationships, sexuality, ambition, and emotions.
Written for Christian men (and the women who love them), this fresh biblical vision calls men to a new kind of character and purpose--one grounded in Christlike discipleship rather than false cultural binaries. Men of Virtue is also a great resource for men's discipleship groups and campus ministry contexts.
But the solution isn't toxic bravado, gender erasure, or culture-war confusion. It's virtue.
In Men of Virtue, Zachary Wagner offers a distinctly Christian vision of masculinity inspired by the fruit of the Spirit that Paul commends to all believers. He shows us
● how the fruit of the Spirit guides character development;
● a nonpartisan, biblically grounded vision of masculinity; and
● what it looks like for men to live out scriptural virtues in distinct, embodied ways.
Moving through love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, Wagner shows how these virtues uniquely shape men's strength, relationships, sexuality, ambition, and emotions.
Written for Christian men (and the women who love them), this fresh biblical vision calls men to a new kind of character and purpose--one grounded in Christlike discipleship rather than false cultural binaries. Men of Virtue is also a great resource for men's discipleship groups and campus ministry contexts.
206 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 26, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 19, 2026
Between his first book, Non-Toxic Masculinity, and Men of Virtue, Zachary Wagner is trying to cast a better vision of masculinity between the two “ditches” of false narratives. On the one side, one vision of masculinity says that urges to greed, lust, and violence are “natural” for men. On the other side, “The assumption, whether stated or unstated, is that if men acted a little bit more like women, we’d all be better off.”
In a nutshell, Wagner argues that true biblical masculinity is what Christlike virtue looks like when lived out by male-embodied people. Because of this focus on virtue, he structures the bulk of the book according to the Fruit of the Spirit, with two or three short chapters on each virtue. I appreciate Wagner’s project but think this book could have been stronger. Following the introductory chapters, the chapters on each virtue felt like a smattering of topics.
Wagner gives us the gift of some powerful lines. “Jesus didn’t come to turn beta males into alphas; he came to make dead men alive.” And, “This anxious (fearful?) preoccupation with ‘manliness’ and ‘feminineness’ is not reflected in the New Testament.”
Since we all are called to be formed in Christlikeness, Wagner wrestles with the differences between men and women. The goal of Christlikeness is the same for everyone; being embodied as male is one of the specific ways that plays out. Occasionally, the examples he gave seemed more like pictures of mature adulthood than men versus women. For example, “Being a man means going out into the world—facing the imaginary lions, as it were—and getting things done in order to fulfill these obligations.” I would respond, women also have to “adult” in the world.
Yet, Wagner helpfully reminds us, “We should not essentialize maleness as being all about strength (not all men are equally strong, and women also demonstrate strength), but we should account for these patterns of difference in our vision of human virtue.” In another place, he reiterates, “Men and women…have far more in common as humans than what separates them.”
While some talk of “biblical masculinity” tries to discern what is “natural” to men because of biology or “gender patterns” in Genesis 1–3, Wagner sidesteps the conversation on what is “natural.” “The very fact that some men may find kindness to be a difficult virtue to cultivate means they must work that much harder to cultivate it,” he says.
At one point, he mentions that men statistically commit more violent acts than women; therefore, it is more important that we learn peace and patience. Later in the book, he acknowledges a different study that shows women “act out physically against their partners at similar rates to men” but, because of their statistically smaller size, are less likely to cause injury. He says that because men have more ability to harm, patience is so essential for men. We are all called to the same Christlikeness, but that requires different things based on our embodiment and social history.
I am glad that Wagner’s message is not, “You need to prove your manliness,” but, “You were created man enough.” He contrast “man up” messages with his “call to grow up into a more mature and virtuous expression of male character.” At the conclusion of the book, he exhorts: “Reject the voices that tell you your value as a man is determined by the ‘role’ you fulfill. No one can give or take away your status as a man when you have been adopted as a son of God's kingdom.”
He also critiques Wild at Heart for making “the warrior nature of God part of the call for men today.” First, both men and women are image bearers: “If men are more warlike, does that make them more god-like?” Second, we are actually not God: “The Scriptures repeatedly tell us that vengeance belongs to the Lord.”
Throughout the book, he speaks against reading into Scripture that “leadership” is essential to masculinity. “My main concern arises when we make leadership the essence of so-called ‘biblical manhood’ despite phrases like ‘male leadership,’ ‘lead your wife,’ and ‘spiritual leader’ appearing literally nowhere in the Bible.” He mentioned this a few times, so I wish he had spent more time explaining an alternative framework for how men and women have different vocations.
Wagner made some interesting observations on virtue. For one thing, virtues should not be a checklist: “The fruit of the Spirit is not plural but singular.” He also says that in order to be virtuous, we need to do virtue. He also explored how virtuous behavior flows from a transformed heart, not mere behavior modification. “[I]f you wanted to summarize the entire New Testament's teaching to husbands and fathers in two words, a pretty good phrase would simply be this: ‘Be gentle.’”
My biggest critique on the virtue section is that I wanted to see more how virtue is a portrait of Jesus. Thankfully, he did finally mention this in the conclusion. I recognize that Wagner wanted to steer clear of the perspective that says “Jesus was manly” and leaves little room for women to follow Jesus. However, these virtues that Paul shared in Galatians 5 point to Christlikeness that the Holy Spirit grows in us as we are “conformed to the image of Christ” (Romans 8:29).
I found his pushback on Stoicism particularly worth reading. While there is some overlap between Stoicism and Christian virtue in the focus on self-control and not being anxious about things outside your circle of influence, “[R]ationalist philosophical traditions like Stoicism are insufficient for transforming the heart.” This is primarily seen in a gnostic disregard for physical bodies. “For Stoics, the goal is to rule or even to suppress the passions. But for Christians, the hope is to be made into a ‘new human’ with new desires…” Amen—may our desires be shaped by the Holy Spirit (see Ezekiel 36:26).
**received early access via NetGalley from the publisher**
In a nutshell, Wagner argues that true biblical masculinity is what Christlike virtue looks like when lived out by male-embodied people. Because of this focus on virtue, he structures the bulk of the book according to the Fruit of the Spirit, with two or three short chapters on each virtue. I appreciate Wagner’s project but think this book could have been stronger. Following the introductory chapters, the chapters on each virtue felt like a smattering of topics.
Wagner gives us the gift of some powerful lines. “Jesus didn’t come to turn beta males into alphas; he came to make dead men alive.” And, “This anxious (fearful?) preoccupation with ‘manliness’ and ‘feminineness’ is not reflected in the New Testament.”
Since we all are called to be formed in Christlikeness, Wagner wrestles with the differences between men and women. The goal of Christlikeness is the same for everyone; being embodied as male is one of the specific ways that plays out. Occasionally, the examples he gave seemed more like pictures of mature adulthood than men versus women. For example, “Being a man means going out into the world—facing the imaginary lions, as it were—and getting things done in order to fulfill these obligations.” I would respond, women also have to “adult” in the world.
Yet, Wagner helpfully reminds us, “We should not essentialize maleness as being all about strength (not all men are equally strong, and women also demonstrate strength), but we should account for these patterns of difference in our vision of human virtue.” In another place, he reiterates, “Men and women…have far more in common as humans than what separates them.”
While some talk of “biblical masculinity” tries to discern what is “natural” to men because of biology or “gender patterns” in Genesis 1–3, Wagner sidesteps the conversation on what is “natural.” “The very fact that some men may find kindness to be a difficult virtue to cultivate means they must work that much harder to cultivate it,” he says.
At one point, he mentions that men statistically commit more violent acts than women; therefore, it is more important that we learn peace and patience. Later in the book, he acknowledges a different study that shows women “act out physically against their partners at similar rates to men” but, because of their statistically smaller size, are less likely to cause injury. He says that because men have more ability to harm, patience is so essential for men. We are all called to the same Christlikeness, but that requires different things based on our embodiment and social history.
I am glad that Wagner’s message is not, “You need to prove your manliness,” but, “You were created man enough.” He contrast “man up” messages with his “call to grow up into a more mature and virtuous expression of male character.” At the conclusion of the book, he exhorts: “Reject the voices that tell you your value as a man is determined by the ‘role’ you fulfill. No one can give or take away your status as a man when you have been adopted as a son of God's kingdom.”
He also critiques Wild at Heart for making “the warrior nature of God part of the call for men today.” First, both men and women are image bearers: “If men are more warlike, does that make them more god-like?” Second, we are actually not God: “The Scriptures repeatedly tell us that vengeance belongs to the Lord.”
Throughout the book, he speaks against reading into Scripture that “leadership” is essential to masculinity. “My main concern arises when we make leadership the essence of so-called ‘biblical manhood’ despite phrases like ‘male leadership,’ ‘lead your wife,’ and ‘spiritual leader’ appearing literally nowhere in the Bible.” He mentioned this a few times, so I wish he had spent more time explaining an alternative framework for how men and women have different vocations.
Wagner made some interesting observations on virtue. For one thing, virtues should not be a checklist: “The fruit of the Spirit is not plural but singular.” He also says that in order to be virtuous, we need to do virtue. He also explored how virtuous behavior flows from a transformed heart, not mere behavior modification. “[I]f you wanted to summarize the entire New Testament's teaching to husbands and fathers in two words, a pretty good phrase would simply be this: ‘Be gentle.’”
My biggest critique on the virtue section is that I wanted to see more how virtue is a portrait of Jesus. Thankfully, he did finally mention this in the conclusion. I recognize that Wagner wanted to steer clear of the perspective that says “Jesus was manly” and leaves little room for women to follow Jesus. However, these virtues that Paul shared in Galatians 5 point to Christlikeness that the Holy Spirit grows in us as we are “conformed to the image of Christ” (Romans 8:29).
I found his pushback on Stoicism particularly worth reading. While there is some overlap between Stoicism and Christian virtue in the focus on self-control and not being anxious about things outside your circle of influence, “[R]ationalist philosophical traditions like Stoicism are insufficient for transforming the heart.” This is primarily seen in a gnostic disregard for physical bodies. “For Stoics, the goal is to rule or even to suppress the passions. But for Christians, the hope is to be made into a ‘new human’ with new desires…” Amen—may our desires be shaped by the Holy Spirit (see Ezekiel 36:26).
**received early access via NetGalley from the publisher**
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Powerful. Controversial. Desperately Needed. This is one of those books where "Preacher" is stepping on *everyone's* toes (while aiming for their hearts, as the old joke goes). Left. Right. Woke. Based. Southern Baptist. Cooperative Baptist. Andrew Tate. Elliot (fka Ellen) Page. Don't matter. Wagner openly proclaims you're all wrong, and here's why. Yet even while doing this in a fairly direct, uncompromising manner... he also has (and shows within the text here) quite a bit of heart and compassion for everyone, no matter where they happen to currently find themselves in this particular discussion.
As one example that particularly stood out, at one point Wagner proclaims (apparently quoting someone else?) "A Christian is someone who is always more willing to die than to kill.", when speaking to Jesus' pacifism.
But this is truly the heart of the book, from the introduction:
"This book is not a call for us to take back the culture from the 'feminists' or the 'bigots' or whoever your preferred scapegoat may be."
Instead, Wagner uses the famous Pauline "Fruits of the Spirit" - Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control - to walk us through a fairly balanced view of what male virtue *should* be according to the Bible itself.
One area that I always look at in Christian nonfiction is the use of prooftexting - citing Bible verses out of context in support or opposition of some point or another - and here, while Wagner decries the practice in the introduction... he actually uses it fairly often throughout the text. Not as horribly as some other authors, and indeed in focusing so much on expounding the famous verse from Galatians he actually provides quite a bit of the overall context of *most* of what he discusses... there's enough "throw away" proof texting here that it almost constitutes slamming his pinkie toe onto the corner of the bed and snapping it (as I did while reading this book!). Painful in the moment and an unforced error... but ultimately not actually harmful. Yet it still cost him a star on my rating, because I try to be consistent about removing that star *any* time I see the practice used as my one "weapon" in my personal war against all vestiges of the practice.
If you're interested in Christian ethics and virtue at all, you're going to need to read this book. Wagner truly does an excellent job of looking at the topic from a remarkably balanced view while actively ignoring many more hot button culture war issues - and actively telling you he is going to and his reasons for doing so.
If you're not interested in Christian ethics or virtue - or perhaps even question whether that last phrase is an actual oxymoron - this book isn't going to be for you. Which the cover and description should have told you, but I'm telling you here now as well. Just leave it alone if you are so adamantly anti-Christian or anti-organized religion generally or what have you. You're only going to make yourself upset as you read it and if you review this book you're more than likely going to make yourself look like a jackass. So *please*, just leave it alone. This book isn't for you, and that is perfectly ok. It has an audience, that audience simply doesn't include you.
Overall though, this book really is a solid examination of its premise, written in a very approachable style and using a cohesive narrative structure quite well indeed.
Very much recommended.
As one example that particularly stood out, at one point Wagner proclaims (apparently quoting someone else?) "A Christian is someone who is always more willing to die than to kill.", when speaking to Jesus' pacifism.
But this is truly the heart of the book, from the introduction:
"This book is not a call for us to take back the culture from the 'feminists' or the 'bigots' or whoever your preferred scapegoat may be."
Instead, Wagner uses the famous Pauline "Fruits of the Spirit" - Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control - to walk us through a fairly balanced view of what male virtue *should* be according to the Bible itself.
One area that I always look at in Christian nonfiction is the use of prooftexting - citing Bible verses out of context in support or opposition of some point or another - and here, while Wagner decries the practice in the introduction... he actually uses it fairly often throughout the text. Not as horribly as some other authors, and indeed in focusing so much on expounding the famous verse from Galatians he actually provides quite a bit of the overall context of *most* of what he discusses... there's enough "throw away" proof texting here that it almost constitutes slamming his pinkie toe onto the corner of the bed and snapping it (as I did while reading this book!). Painful in the moment and an unforced error... but ultimately not actually harmful. Yet it still cost him a star on my rating, because I try to be consistent about removing that star *any* time I see the practice used as my one "weapon" in my personal war against all vestiges of the practice.
If you're interested in Christian ethics and virtue at all, you're going to need to read this book. Wagner truly does an excellent job of looking at the topic from a remarkably balanced view while actively ignoring many more hot button culture war issues - and actively telling you he is going to and his reasons for doing so.
If you're not interested in Christian ethics or virtue - or perhaps even question whether that last phrase is an actual oxymoron - this book isn't going to be for you. Which the cover and description should have told you, but I'm telling you here now as well. Just leave it alone if you are so adamantly anti-Christian or anti-organized religion generally or what have you. You're only going to make yourself upset as you read it and if you review this book you're more than likely going to make yourself look like a jackass. So *please*, just leave it alone. This book isn't for you, and that is perfectly ok. It has an audience, that audience simply doesn't include you.
Overall though, this book really is a solid examination of its premise, written in a very approachable style and using a cohesive narrative structure quite well indeed.
Very much recommended.
May 26, 2026
There are few more crucial topics than living a life of virtue - especially for men. Wagner resets the conversation about biblical masculinity by going back to what it means to be a Christian, first, and a Christian man, second. Through the book, he challenges readers’ assumptions about masculinity and how specific the Bible really is with its gendered instructions. Overall, it’s thoughtful, engaging, biblical, and in places controversial. It’s a welcome book to the biblical masculinity conversation and an enjoyable read!
June 9, 2026
I was pleasantly surprised at how much I loved this book. I enjoyed Zach's first book, but was hoping for more of a general look at the concept of "masculinity," which this one provides in spades. He strikes a difficult balance of looking at the whole subject through the broader lens of human virtue, but with a sensitivity to the specifics of masculine embodiment. Highly recommended!
Video review here: https://youtu.be/dWNRTRCMoGE
Video review here: https://youtu.be/dWNRTRCMoGE
June 3, 2026
I liked this one especially.
“The most important parts of being a good man are not about the differences between men and women. Rather, being a good and godly man is first and foremost about being a good and godly human. That goodness is refracted in a unique way through our identity and the body God has given us” (pg. 53).
“The most important parts of being a good man are not about the differences between men and women. Rather, being a good and godly man is first and foremost about being a good and godly human. That goodness is refracted in a unique way through our identity and the body God has given us” (pg. 53).
Did Not Finish
June 28, 2026No rating - it's a lesson in why I should NEVER check out audiobooks from the library. I don't enjoy listening to a book - I can digest it much quicker by reading a physical copy.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews