Bearded Gospel Men: The Epic Quest for Manliness and Godliness

by Jared Brock, Aaron Alford

A Devotional That Dudes Will Actually Read!

Is there a connection between hairiness and holiness? Some would say a hearty “Yes!” In fact, the world is in the middle of a beard mania. Events like Movember and Decembeard are becoming global movements and manly sites are appearing all over the internet. Is this just another fad? And what does it say that so many of the most famous Christian communicators have or did have a beard?

Throughout history, Christian men have gloried in male pattern magnificence. Saint Benedict of Nursia wore a superb double forker. The benevolently-bushed Euthymius wouldn’t allow clean-shaven monks to enter his Judean Desert monastery. St. Francis of Assisi had a beard, and now there’s a Pope named after him. He’s clean-shaven, but we’re praying for him.

Of all the great Christian men who wore beards, none stands so highly as the headless martyr Sir Thomas More. On the day of his beheading, the tufted knight supposedly positioned his beard away from his soon-to-be-severed neck, saying: “My beard has not been guilty of treason, and it would be an injustice to punish it.”

But of course, Bearded Gospel Men is about far more than beards – it’s about manliness and godliness. Through this 31-day devotional, men are inspired to rise to a higher calling. The humor and facial hair is the perfect means to have a broader conversation about living a faithful life.

So, let’s study some of these famous Bearded Gospel Men!

 

 

Genres: Nonfiction, Religion, Faith, Christian

304 pages, Paperback

Published November 7, 2017

About the author

Jared Brock is the author of Bearded Gospel Men, A Year of Living Prayerfully, and The Road to Dawn.

Jared is the director of three films including PBS's Redeeming Uncle Tom with Danny Glover, and he has written for Esquire, Huffington Post, Smithsonian, and TIME.

Follow Jared Brock on Facebook.

Reviews

[James Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciated the challenge to pursue manliness in this book. I enjoyed the humor found in parts of this book as well. I think it portrays a good mixture of humor and seriousness. I was not so fond of the more typical evangelical heroes that are discussed in this book and the way in which they were presented. Having said that, I still feel like it was a worthwhile read, and I'm glad I took the time to read it. I should also say that this book was a part of what has inspired me to keep a continuous beard these last few months. :)

[Nora St Laurent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author Jared Brock teams up with Aaron Alford and a few contributors I enjoyed. In the introduction, the author states: “A Bearded Gospel Man is something more than just a well-churched dude with a beard. It’s a man who’s letting himself be changed by that gospel. A man who is striving to truly embody that gospel…he knows he can’t do life on his own. He needs the grace of God, the company of good friends, the kindship of true community, and the wisdom of the great cloud of witnesses.”…together we find our healing. In surrender, we find our strength. 1John 1:7.”

Each chapter introduces readers to a Christian man along with a peek at his faith journey. There are three questions at the end of each chapter for contemplation, and then the chapter ends with a prayer. In between each devotional is are antidotes. Some are funny (tongue and cheek) many are heartfelt. One of them is titled How to Grow a Great Beard in Five Easy Steps, another The Bearditudes…Blessed are those who strive for beardedness…” The Beards That Might Have Been and several more. Sprinkled throughout the devotional are pictures of bearded men, some of them have the craziest looking beards, others are amazing and beautiful.

Some of the men’s stories shared are Good King Wenceslas – The Merry Christmas Boxer; Daniel Nash – Spiritual Napalm, Saint Luca of Crimea – Doctor of the Church, John the Baptist – Less is More; Sir Thomas More- The Beard Hath Committed no Treason – Charles Spurgeon – Chomping Prince of Preachers, G.K. Chesterton – Saint Valentine, Joseph of Cupertino, Keith Green, Saint Augustine, Francis Schaeffer, Charles Monroe, and many more.

This devotional draws you in with bearded men’s pictures, their stories of faith and men being real with each other about life. It’s a powerful and winning combination.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. 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”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins! www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com
Book Fun Magazine
SVP Promotions

[Darrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marvelously original. This book starts off as a comical and historical devotional book ABOUT bearded men FOR bearded men. The playful attitude that Jared Brock and Aaron Alford have toward their subject of bearded awareness is merely the hook. But by the conclusion of the book, the reader finds himself challenged to surrender himself over to a life of service to God - beard or no beard - man or woman. The beard motif attracts the curious reader, but it is the message of letting your light shine that remains.

[John Mackenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great way to reflect on the greatness of many great men in gospel history and justify the hair on my face at the same time.

[Brett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well worth the read, and the thoughts and prayers that accompany it.

[Cat · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm afraid this wasn't what I had hoped it would be. I'm not a Christian, but have noted that other non-Christians also have beards. I thought this might be a more humorous book; it sounds like it should have been! I mean, I seem to be noticing a trend among men to grow breads of late, and most aren't Christian, but there are a few, and I am thinking that this book may well appeal to those of any of the Christian faiths who have, or want to have, a beard! Getting this for a Christian friend with a beard! The Amish seem to have beaten everyone to the punch of late!
Received a Kindle copy from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.

[Michael Potts · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun, very loosely beard-themed collection of mini, digestible biographies of "bearded gospel men," Christian role models and major players in the history of the faith.

While I found the biographies to be very enjoyable, I was definitely put off by several of the interlude essays between them, including one that suggested that anyone that plays video games will become addicted to them (which is absurd). Toward the end of the book, I started to skim more than read these as they seemed to repeat a handful of the same messages over and over again. Not all of them put me off in this way, but enough of them did that I just couldn't be bothered with them anymore.

[Jalynn Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

About the Book:

31 Days of Fun, Satire, and Deeper Meaning of the Godly Beard!

Is there a connection between hairiness and holiness? Some would say a hearty “Yes!” In fact, the world is in the middle of a beard mania. Events like Movember and Decembeard are becoming global movements and manly sites are appearing all over the internet. Is this just another fad? And what does it say that so many of the most famous Christian communicators have or did have a beard?

Throughout history, Christian men have gloried in male pattern magnificence. Saint Benedict of Nursia wore a superb double forker. The benevolently-bushed Euthymius wouldn’t allow clean-shaven monks to enter his Judean Desert monastery. St. Francis of Assisi had a beard, and now there’s a Pope named after him. He’s clean-shaven, but we’re praying for him.

Of all the great Christian men who wore beards, none stands so highly as the headless martyr Sir Thomas More. On the day of his beheading, the tufted knight supposedly positioned his beard away from his soon-to-be-severed neck, saying: “My beard has not been guilty of treason, and it would be an injustice to punish it.”

But of course, Bearded Gospel Men is about far more than beards – it’s about manliness and godliness. Through this 31-day devotional, men are inspired to rise to a higher calling. The humor and facial hair is the perfect means to have a broader conversation about living a faithful life.

So, let’s study some of these famous Bearded Gospel Men!


My Review:

I got this book on a whim, I guess you could say. My husband sports a beard a lot of the time so I thought it would be something I could give to him to read. The authors give us a great definition to their theory most Godly men throughout Bible history sported a beard. so they have to be on some level viewed as Godly. Right?



First of all, loved the authors take on facial foliage. They go back all the way to Bible days and point out most of the characters or at least some that sported this so called foliage. With each turn of the page you learn more and more about great missionaries and evangelists you either knew about or didn't and those all had beards.


I never thought about it the way the authors put it. But I love their take on this this little beauty tidbit. And I loved learning more about some really great men and what they did for Christ and the church. Great read!


**Disclosure** This book was sent to me free of charge for honest review from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

[Kevin Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: This book was provided by the publisher for review. I was under no obligation to offer a favorable review.

Bearded Gospel Men is a 31 day devotional written by Jared Brock and Aaron Alford. The book presents you with a Bible verse and quote for each day along with a short biographical sketch of an influential leader from church history. Of course all of these leaders are men, and men with beards. This is followed by a prayer and contemplative questions that help you carefully think through the material in an applicable way.

As someone with an appreciation of church history, I found this book both fascinating and hilarious. If you enjoy memes on social media, you will enjoy this book. The humor sprinkled throughout every page keeps you interested but the spiritual meat of the book keeps you engaged. While I was already familiar with most of the men featured, I still learned quite a bit I did not already know.

While I would recommend this book, it obviously has an intended, limited audience. There is quite a bit of truth we all can learn from, but the constant jokes about masculinity and beards would probably turn away most ladies. I would also caution that the book has more of a wide-spread Evangelical appeal and would not be as “reformed” as would like. Yet, the book is still worth the read.

[Greg K. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a Christmas gift and I dutifully read through it, finding it to be actually rather good. I enjoy the authors' conception of their community as a pub - a fellowship in varying levels of depth. For instance, you could stop by for some light conversation and a beer, or you can pull up a comfy chair next to the fire, and - in the style of Lewis and Tolkien - perhaps light a pipe and engage in deeper discussions.

The book itself offers a month of devotionals, profiling great bearded (mostly) figures in Christendom throughout history, along with a short essay or similar, followed by some suggestions for discussion topics and a prayer. It was enjoyable, approachable, and full of humor, humility, and grace.

There were several points where the authors strayed into popular "history" that has not actually held up to scrutiny but fit the narrative purpose, and one or two notes that perhaps skirted a healthy concept of masculinity and human sexuality. Overall, though, they did a good job of presenting a Christianity that represents its best parts: when it is the message of love, sacrifice, and service that you see in the Red-Letter text, rather than the Pharisaical tribalism that seems to have swept so much of the United States.

A good devotional for the believing man, young and perhaps not-so-young.

[Andrew Peterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I slowly read this over the course of like 18 months as a gap filler in normal bible study. I liked most of the stories about great men of faith throughout time. Certainly it is encouraging and motivating to hear about those who were so dedicated to God. The theme of the book, that being bearded as a qualifier for submission into the book was fun enough. There were some sections between actual stories about beard care and diet and other similar "life advice" that in reality this read something like a series of blog post entries. I personally would have preferred that the stories stood on their own and skipped the rest.

I also think the book didn't need to include Mother Theresa as a "Bearded Gospel Man"...if you couldn't find another one then just stick to your theme! Its ok for a book to only be about men, beards, and God.

I also had beef with the section on St Nicholas, mainly in the glorification of him slapping Arius at the Council of Nicaea over theological differences. First of all, slapping is decidedly not masculine and second I don't recall Jesus getting into fist fights over someone's curiosity or misinterpretation of scripture...

[Adam Godbold · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a book! It’s filled with encouragement and inspiration, sharp elbows and practical suggestions. Some of the “beard-hagiography” is over the top and silly, but of course, you ought to be expecting that. I regret that I didn’t read and discuss it with a couple of bearded friends. That really was a great idea suggested by the authors, and I might just do that next time. Oh, yes, there will be a next time because this book deserves to be ready annually.

[Robert Risher · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Sometimes I think about shaving...but I like my legs the way they are." This and other quips, quotes, and qualified saints with illustrious facial hair...and Mother Teresa, just because. It's a very fast and informative read that never stops being fun, and I personally found it to be quite inspiring. (You don't need a beard to enjoy it, but it certainly won't hurt!)

[Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

Received this as a Christmas gift. The humor in this book was pretty hit or miss, and the lessons to be gleaned are pretty basic surface level stuff, but it's pretty hard to put anything deep and well rounded in a devotional format. What I like the most about this book was the way it sparked my interest in learning more about influential Christian men and women of the past.

[Karl Dumas · Rating 5 out of 5]

lots of fun stuff, plenty of facts, and some pictures (with subtitles that made me laugh).
I probably won't grow a beard because of this book, but I enjoyed reading some of the iconic Christians over the centuries who did sport facial hair!

[Justin McLarty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good entry level stories to the lives of past saints in the Church. Funny at times, but definitely felt like this book was meant for 0.125 percent of people. If you aren’t 19 years old with some hair on your chin, this book is not meant for you.

[Fr. John Garrett]

An enjoyable read. Good points to ponder

[Joey Peacher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Humorous and educational and would make good men’s study.

[David Pendergrass · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a nice little devotional reading, with a few chapters I was a little “eh” on - but I think it would be better served as a small group devotional with some other bearded men!

[Andrew Micah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super fun and also very edifying.

[Allen Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I find myself coming back to this one. This is one of two devotionals in my life that I have read repetitively.

[Sammy Tiranno · Rating 4 out of 5]

A light, fun-spirited read that mixes beard-inspired humor with bio snippets of some popular church fathers. Whether legendary or historical, the information presented allows us to better familiarize ourselves with the stories of select “BGM.” There are 31 biographical chapters that each include a few questions for introspection and a brief prayer.

How this book could (and should) be easily improved: Since this book is built like a daily devotional and contains 31 chapters, it makes sense that someone would read a chapter per day for a month. As such, a calendar should be considered in order to reorganize the chapters. For instance, when it comes to some of the saints included, St. Valentine should be chapter 14, St. Patrick should be chapter 17, St. Nicholas should be chapter 6 (or 24 or 25), for obvious reasons. Also, each chapter contains a portrait of a random bearded individual with a silly saying, but I think G.K. Chesterton is the only chapter that contains a picture of the actual person that the chapter is about. The editor should use pictures (or artistic renderings as needed) of each person for their corresponding chapter. Finally, any book that purports to be about Bearded Gospel Men, but fails to include George MacDonald, is incomplete in my humble opinion.

[Joshua Crawford · Rating 2 out of 5]

Funny and light.