The Masculine Mandate

by Richard D. Phillips

MP3 CD Format What does it mean to be a man made in the image of God? And what does it mean to be a man under God's grace, called according to His purpose? In The Masculine Mandate , Dr. Richard D. Phillips cuts through the cultural confusion, highlights God's mandate for men, and encourages listeners to join him on a journey of repentance and renewal. Phillips begins in the Garden of Eden, drawing foundational teaching for men in the earliest chapters of God's Word. He provides clear biblical instruction for husbands, fathers, and sons as he carefully examines important truths from Scripture.

Audio CD

Published March 1, 2021

About the author

Richard D. Phillips (MDiv, Westminster Theological Seminary) is the senior minister of Second Presbyterian Church of Greenville, South Carolina. He is a council member of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals, chairman of the Philadelphia Conference on Reformed Theology, and coeditor of the Reformed Expository Commentary series.

Reviews

[Evan Lasseter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really a 2.5. The lower rating is largely due to the fact it's a book about being a Christian man that does not draw on Jesus Christ at all. Idk how you write a book on this topic without using Jesus as an example / model.

Nonetheless there are helpful concepts in the core of this book, although the applications used can be troublesome. On the whole I enjoyed it good enough, but idk if i'd really recommend it.

[Garrett Wishall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I began using this book to disciple other men in my church in 2010 and it remains my favorite book on the topic. Phillips provides a theology of biblical manhood, exegetes the relevant biblical texts and offers a few themes of manhood in part one. Part two of the book covers a biblical approach to marriage, work, friendship, church life, and being a servant of the Lord in every venue of life.

Phillips writes from a complementarian, reformed perspective. My only caveat is while I affirm Phillips' high view of the calling of homemaker, I think he pigeon-holes how such a calling plays out with unqualified detail that assumes a traditional application of motherhood/homemaking. The Bible leaves more room than Phillips' gives for the application of Proverbs 31 in particular in the life of a woman who prioritizes her home and is also well-versed in the marketplace.

[Stephen Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is "nothing new under the sun," but sometimes a book comes along and gathers all the helpful things and puts them into one place--this is that book for Christian masculinity.

The content of this book really deserves 5 stars (which is why I gave it 5 stars), but reader be warned: it reads almost like a textbook...which makes it perfect for a Bible study, but a little harder to get through as a stand alone read.

The things I liked most:

Richard Phillips called out the book "Wild At Heart" (someone had to) and pointed out its largest flaw.

He also has a solid theme that carries throughout the book: men "work" and men "keep." I greatly appreciate this simplicity and the thoroughness it supplies as it relates to topics of marriage, family, spiritual character, and roles in the church.

His take on raising children may have been the best part: in my opinion, it had the most practical and tangible advice, but I also greatly appreciated his take on marriage (especially the part where he reminds us men to remember our own sin and folly as a threat to our marriage and something we must protect our wives against.

Finally, I appreciate the level of reliance he had on scripture and the clear path he paves for other men to rely on God's Word as well.

It's worth the read, but I highly recommend only doing one chapter at a time.

[Matt Crawford · Rating 3 out of 5]

Given its cover and some good things I had heard, I was hoping for a Christianized version of Biblical masculinity and manhood. Something similar to David Goggin, Jocko Willinck, and Jordan Peterson. This is not it. The emphasis here is on Adam as a gardener. There’s nothing new in here but it takes a kinder, softer tone than other books on manhood. I often use the expression better to be a warrior in a garden than a gardener in a war. Phillips and his softer tone seems to prefer gardeners.

[Albert Hehr · Rating 5 out of 5]

So the biggest reason I am giving this book five stars is that it got me thinking. It forced me to research and understand my place as a Christian. Perhaps I disagree with some of the delivery but the message as a whole I agree with even if I may be unsure in some details. I am still and forever learning and growing in my faith and I think this book helped the process in many ways.

Men are meant to WORK and KEEP.

[Dr. Jon Pirtle · Rating 5 out of 5]

My friend Justin purchased and mailed this book to me this week. Over the last 48 hours I read it and was convicted (over my failures), encouraged (to do better), and equipped (with biblical principles) for what it means to be a Christian man, husband, father, and shepherd who works and keeps well. A pastoral, biblical, wise book.

[Noah Michel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book for all men to read. Wish I would’ve read this at 17 though. Very digestible the authors example of genesis 2 and manhood was a different take from traditional examples of biblical masculinity. Definetly one of the more influential books I’ve read recently

[Gregory · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful and practical.

[Brandon Hood · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall good read, some notes to take and remember.

[Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that every christian man must read at least once in their life.

This is a very reflexive and practical book.

[Daniel Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read, pretty simple/quick and easy to understand book filled with godly advice for young men. Enjoyed

[Peter Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it - I found it challenging and helpful.