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Take It Back: Reclaiming Biblical Manhood for the Sake of Marriage, Family, and Culture
Our culture is determined to redefine masculinity as something it was never meant to be.
The American Psychological Association asserts that “traditional masculinity is psychologically harmful.” Many agree that “forcing men to behave in accordance with the worst stereotypes of manliness harms them, and it harms others.” But is the answer then to marginalize and feminize men? Despite culture’s determination to redefine masculinity, the great heart cry of our day is for men to rise up and take back their rightful place. It’s a cry that echoes deep in the soul and from all ends of our society, and particularly from the women who love their fathers, husbands, brothers, and sons. Most women want their men to be honored and to stand up and be men.
Men have faltered and lost a lot of influence and territory. The good news is that for many who struggle there is often a daily yearning to make it right.
The reality is, masculinity is not and never was “toxic.”
Tim Clinton, president of the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC), challenges readers to reject culture’s redefinition and seek biblical examples of true manhood. Fast-paced, filled with relevant biblical and contemporary stories of godly men like David, Nehemiah, George Foreman, and Tim Tebow, Take It Back empowers men to be who God created them to be and to impact the culture that is in desperate need of their influence.
Readers will find encouragement and affirmation that they matter as men, that they can be difference-makers in their circles of influence and have a positive impact on the culture. They will find grace for their shame over past mistakes and find the ability to move forward.
This book will help you find encouragement and affirmation that you matter as a man, that you can be a difference-maker in your circle of influence and have a positive impact on the culture. You will find grace to overcome your shame over past mistakes and find the ability to move forward.
The American Psychological Association asserts that “traditional masculinity is psychologically harmful.” Many agree that “forcing men to behave in accordance with the worst stereotypes of manliness harms them, and it harms others.” But is the answer then to marginalize and feminize men? Despite culture’s determination to redefine masculinity, the great heart cry of our day is for men to rise up and take back their rightful place. It’s a cry that echoes deep in the soul and from all ends of our society, and particularly from the women who love their fathers, husbands, brothers, and sons. Most women want their men to be honored and to stand up and be men.
Men have faltered and lost a lot of influence and territory. The good news is that for many who struggle there is often a daily yearning to make it right.
The reality is, masculinity is not and never was “toxic.”
Tim Clinton, president of the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC), challenges readers to reject culture’s redefinition and seek biblical examples of true manhood. Fast-paced, filled with relevant biblical and contemporary stories of godly men like David, Nehemiah, George Foreman, and Tim Tebow, Take It Back empowers men to be who God created them to be and to impact the culture that is in desperate need of their influence.
Readers will find encouragement and affirmation that they matter as men, that they can be difference-makers in their circles of influence and have a positive impact on the culture. They will find grace for their shame over past mistakes and find the ability to move forward.
This book will help you find encouragement and affirmation that you matter as a man, that you can be a difference-maker in your circle of influence and have a positive impact on the culture. You will find grace to overcome your shame over past mistakes and find the ability to move forward.
- GenresChristian
224 pages, Hardcover
Published April 6, 2021
12 people are currently reading
64 people want to read
About the author
Tim Clinton
64 books30 followersAlso credited as Timothy Clinton
Tim Clinton, Ed. D. is President of the nearly 50,000-member American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC), the largest and most diverse Christian counseling association in the world. He is Professor of Counseling and Pastoral Care, and Executive Director of the Center for Counseling and Family Studies at Liberty University. Licensed in Virginia as both a Professional Counselor (LPC) and Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Tim now spends a majority of his time working with Christian leaders and professional athletes. He is recognized as a world leader in faith and mental health issues and has authored 20 books including his latest, Breakthrough: When to Give In, When to Push Back. Most importantly, Tim has been married 31 years to his wife Julie and together they have two children, Megan and Zach.
Tim Clinton, Ed. D. is President of the nearly 50,000-member American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC), the largest and most diverse Christian counseling association in the world. He is Professor of Counseling and Pastoral Care, and Executive Director of the Center for Counseling and Family Studies at Liberty University. Licensed in Virginia as both a Professional Counselor (LPC) and Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Tim now spends a majority of his time working with Christian leaders and professional athletes. He is recognized as a world leader in faith and mental health issues and has authored 20 books including his latest, Breakthrough: When to Give In, When to Push Back. Most importantly, Tim has been married 31 years to his wife Julie and together they have two children, Megan and Zach.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 5 reviews
July 10, 2020
Wow. Could not put this book down. Such a needed message for today's men.
September 9, 2023
I was hoping for a good read on masculinity for a Jesus follower, but this is not it.
The thesis is that our masculinity is under attack/threatened and needs taken back, but is not very well articulated or argued cogently. Very problematic! The whole book reads like vague, generalized advice written in a devotional chapter style, with scriptures thrown in.
Masculinity seems to be limited to American cultural stereotypes of athletics, aggression, outdoor activities. (E g. Boxing, movie war scenes like Saving Private Ryan, and hunting)
It's frustrating to hear the author use spiritual warfare language and then switch the meaning of warfare to fighting a cultural battle. Logical fallacy?
I'm left wondering, What's a 'masculine man'? What's 'traditional masculinity'? Terms are used without definition.
Quote: "Let these words soak into your masculine soul..." What?!?
Amazing how so much of the book is about masculinity and Jesus is not lifted up as an example of masculinity until the very end! Rather, David, Nehemiah, Joseph, Samson are depicted as examples to be followed.
There are also references to work's righteousness and meritocracy in contrast to God's grace and provision. E.g. "[John] saved his soul."
Exegesis of David's life from I-II Samuel was cringey and lacked socio-cultural awareness. E.g.
Imposing a modern lens of masculinity where it is always the men's job to protect the women.
A lot of fear based ideas especially chapter 8, and a resulting lack of compassion for LGBTQ people.
Author *finally* gets to a good definition when he says, "Jesus is the living example of what a man should be."
However, the message of the book is: you should fight and take back a cultural masculine identity. Wrong.
The thesis is that our masculinity is under attack/threatened and needs taken back, but is not very well articulated or argued cogently. Very problematic! The whole book reads like vague, generalized advice written in a devotional chapter style, with scriptures thrown in.
Masculinity seems to be limited to American cultural stereotypes of athletics, aggression, outdoor activities. (E g. Boxing, movie war scenes like Saving Private Ryan, and hunting)
It's frustrating to hear the author use spiritual warfare language and then switch the meaning of warfare to fighting a cultural battle. Logical fallacy?
I'm left wondering, What's a 'masculine man'? What's 'traditional masculinity'? Terms are used without definition.
Quote: "Let these words soak into your masculine soul..." What?!?
Amazing how so much of the book is about masculinity and Jesus is not lifted up as an example of masculinity until the very end! Rather, David, Nehemiah, Joseph, Samson are depicted as examples to be followed.
There are also references to work's righteousness and meritocracy in contrast to God's grace and provision. E.g. "[John] saved his soul."
Exegesis of David's life from I-II Samuel was cringey and lacked socio-cultural awareness. E.g.
Imposing a modern lens of masculinity where it is always the men's job to protect the women.
A lot of fear based ideas especially chapter 8, and a resulting lack of compassion for LGBTQ people.
Author *finally* gets to a good definition when he says, "Jesus is the living example of what a man should be."
However, the message of the book is: you should fight and take back a cultural masculine identity. Wrong.
August 27, 2021
It was great! I love the length of the chapters that keep you engaged and the stories and quotes all throughout! A page turner for the easily distracted man for sure!
July 19, 2021
An interesting mix of ideas - some very good, some less well-developed. Unfortunately, many of the book's good ideas are ones which have been covered many times over in books like Wild At Heart by John Eldredge. Thus, the book ends up being a bit too generic.
See my full review here: https://eclalibraries.org/2020/06/23/...
See my full review here: https://eclalibraries.org/2020/06/23/...
Displaying 1 - 4 of 5 reviews