The Seven Pillars of Christian Manhood: Turning Your Son into a Solid Man of God

By Daniel A Biddle and Mark Johnston

This book provides a Biblically-based, seven-month program to turn your son into a solid man of God based on the Seven Pillars of Manhood:

1. Identity in Christ

2. Love

3. Godly Wisdom

4. The Word of God

5. Purity

6. Character

7. Legacy

Churches are filled with well-meaning youth pastors and programs that promote Christian values, doctrine, and culture to todays youth. But it is rare to find a program that includes a comprehensive set of pillars that are specifically designed to bring a teenage boy into Christian Manhood. By providing an intentional framework for Christian Manhood that can be worked through by a father/guardian and son over seven months, this book is designed to provide such a program.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Jan 10, 2017
• ISBN: 9781512770315

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Copyright © 2017 Genesis Apologetics, Inc.

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Scripture quotations taken from the New American Standard Bible® (NASB), Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation Used by permission. www.Lockman.org

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotes marked (NKJV) are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotes marked (KJV) are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

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ISBN: 978-1-5127-7030-8 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-7031-5 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016921547

WestBow Press rev. date: 01/10/2017

Contents

About the Authors

Preface

Introduction

Pillar 1 Identity in Christ

Our Identity in Christ, from the Beginning

We Are Sons, Kings, and Priests

The World’s Idea for Man’s Identity

Identity Discussion Questions

Pillar 2 Love

Love Discussion Questions

Pillar 3 Godly Wisdom

The Differences between Worldly Wisdom and Godly Wisdom

The Seven Pillars of Wisdom

Wisdom Pillar 1: Peace-loving

Wisdom Pillar 2: Considerate

Wisdom Pillar 3: Submissive

Wisdom Pillar 4: Merciful

Wisdom Pillar 5: Fruitful

Wisdom Pillar 6: Impartial

Wisdom Pillar 7: Sincere

Wisdom Discussion Questions

Pillar 4 The Word of God

How can we know that the Bible we have today is trustworthy?

Isaiah 53 and the Dead Sea Scrolls

If the Bible is Trustworthy, what place should it have in our Lives?

Does it matter if we believe the Bible is Authoritative?

The Word of God Discussion Questions

Pillar 5 Purity

Living a Pure and Upright Life Can Put You on God’s Short List of Preferred Servants

Proverbs and the Path of Purity

Our Way Determines Our Safety and Protection

Our Way Determines Our Direction in Life—for Now and Eternity

Our Way Determines Our Consequences (Negative or Positive)

Roads Are Filled with Crossroads

Hate the Wrong Path

Purity Discussion Questions

Pillar 6 Character

The Twenty-Four Virtues of Knighthood

Virtue 1: Godliness

Virtue 2: Faith

Virtue 3: Hope

Virtue 4: Love

Virtue 5: Justice

Virtue 6: Prudence

Virtue 7: Temperance

Virtue 8: Strength

Virtue 9: Humility

Virtue 10: Perseverance

Virtue 11: Honor

Virtue 12: Charity

Virtue 13: Sacrifice

Virtue 14: Compassion

Virtue 15: Loyalty

Virtue 16: Truth

Virtue 17: Purity

Virtue 18: Gallantry

Virtue 19: Hospitality

Virtue 20: Courtesy

Virtue 21: Gratitude

Virtue 22: Grace and Mercy

Virtue 23: Mentorship

Virtue 24: Overcoming Failure

Character Discussion Questions

Pillar 7 Legacy

Building a Foundation of Legacy: Following the Plans of the Master Builder

Building a Foundation of Legacy: Forsaking our own Building Plans

How Long will your Legacy Last?

Key Ingredients for Building a Christian Legacy

Building Your Personal Legacy

Legacy Discussion Questions

Endnotes

To Jesus Christ, for By Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him.

—Colossians 1:16

This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.

—Psalm 118:23

About the Authors

Dr. Daniel A. Biddle is president of Genesis Apologetics, Inc. a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to equipping youth pastors, parents, and students with Biblical answers for evolutionary teaching in public schools. Daniel has trained thousands of students in Biblical creation and evolution and is the author of several Creation-related publications. Daniel is also involved in the Knights of Christ ministry, a program that disciples young Christians in the ways of Christian leadership, drawing from the tenants of Biblical Knighthood. Daniel has a Ph.D. in Organizational Psychology from Alliant University in San Francisco, California, an M.A. in Organizational Psychology from Alliant, and a B.S. in Organizational Behavior from the University of San Francisco. Daniel has worked as an expert consultant and/or witness in over one hundred state and federal cases in the areas of research methodologies and analysis.

Mark Johnston is president of Next Generation Arising, a 501(c)(3) ministry dedicated to discipling and equipping young people as Jesus commanded over 2000 years ago. This ministry focuses on engaging and training today’s Christian youth, including weekly small groups at schools (both public and private), church training sessions, and the Knights of Christ ministry (dedicated to transforming young men into Godly leaders). Mark has a heart for the youth and providing them with tools to live out their lives for Christ. Mark has over twenty-five years invested in youth ministry at mid- to large-sized churches in California.

Preface

There were eight of us in the room that night—dads, grandfathers, pastors, teachers, and executives. We were there to answer one question: If we could design a seven-month program that would instill durable Christian character into our sons and grandsons before they entered manhood, what would the program include? We talked, deliberated, prayed, and shared our success and failures as fathers and sons. When the dust settled, we were left with the Seven Pillars of Manhood:

1. Identity in Christ

2. Love

3. Godly Wisdom

4. The Word of God

5. Purity

6. Character

7. Legacy

Churches are filled with well-meaning youth pastors and programs that promote Christian values, doctrine, and culture to today’s youth. But it is rare to find a program that includes a comprehensive set of pillars that are specifically designed to bring a teenage boy into Christian Manhood. By providing an intentional framework for Christian Manhood that can be worked through by a father/guardian and son over seven months, this book is designed to provide such a program.

Introduction

It’s safe to say that most Christian parents want to raise godly young men. While parents and youth pastors pour countless hours into this goal with the hopes that mature Christian men will emerge through the process. What should such a program include? What parts of the Bible should be emphasized the most? Which are essential?

Our book is designed to provide a complete framework for guiding this process—the process of turning a young man into a Man of God—one who is rooted and grounded in the ways of the Lord. To structure this journey, we prayerfully sought out the most essential pillars of manhood. This process led us to the Seven Pillars of Manhood: Identity in Christ, Love, Godly Wisdom, the Word of God, Purity, Character, and Legacy …

Why these seven? First, after our team of eight developed (rather, received it), we noted that the list was complete. Second, in Scripture, the number seven symbolizes completeness or perfection. Starting with Genesis (where God rested from his labors after creation was finished in six days, Genesis 2:2), and ending in Revelation (the seven churches, seven Spirits, seven golden lampstands, etc.), Scripture is filled with examples where the number seven represents divine perfection, totality, or completion. In our case, designing a program to build young men into strong Christians, we believed this Biblical use of seven was significant: Wisdom has built her house; she has set up its seven pillars (Proverbs 9:1). Let’s review these seven pillars now.

We start the list with Identity in Christ because founding one’s identity in Christ is foundational. We placed it even higher than love because Biblical love stems from being loved by God and living a life of love that stems from understanding who we are in Christ. Without understanding who we are in Christ, living a life of love is difficult.

Love comes next because living a life without love is both empty and meaningless: If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing (1 Corinthians 13:1–3).

Godly Wisdom is the steering wheel of our lives. Without making choices based on Godly wisdom, we are guaranteed to go astray in life. To discuss Godly wisdom, we’ve adopted the Bible’s own definition of wisdom, which includes seven characteristics: The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness (James 3:13–18).

The Word of God (the Bible) is the only lasting foundation upon which we can build our lives, as spoken by Christ: Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash (Matthew 7:24–27).

Purity is one of our pillars because it’s one that every man struggles with, and one that the Lord Himself has stressed as important. The Bible is full of scriptures that deal with purity. In fact, James 3:17 places purity as the very foundation of Godly wisdom: "But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere."

Most would agree that Character is an obvious pillar of manhood. To describe this pillar, we used a set of twenty-four Biblically-grounded virtues that were important to the medieval Christian knights.

And finally, Legacy is one of our pillars because it insures that the Godly heritage of men will continue to new generations. Without passing the baton, a man’s legacy dies.

With this brief introduction, let’s get started with each pillar.

Pillar 1

IDENTITY IN CHRIST

Our Identity in Christ, from the Beginning

When it comes to understanding our Christian identity, we need to start at the very beginning. That’s because without having a correct understanding of how we got here, who created us, and our reason for being on this planet, we won’t even be able to get close to understanding our true identity, much less Christian manhood. And when it comes to our fundamental identity as humans, God and the world paint very different pictures. Let’s explore each.

According to the world, humans evolved from an unguided, impersonal, random process. Put simply, we are here because of chance and chance alone. This position is taught in public schools, movies, TV, state parks, museums, and many taxpayer funded venues in the United States. Needless to say, believing in molecules-to-man evolution puts zero significance on who we are. By definition, we are simply the product of mindless chance. With this worldview, we have no designer, no creator, and certainly no eternal significance. How does that make you feel? Loved? Wanted? Special? Certainly not.

The Bible reveals a different account of our origins—one of special creation. According to the Bible, humans are incredibly special for at least four reasons.

First, humans are the only creation that God made in His own image.

Then God said, "Let Us¹ make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."

—Genesis 1:26

We didn’t evolve from apes because that’s not God’s image!

Second, God gave humans a specific responsibility in creation: to take dominion and rule over all He made.

God blessed them and said to them, Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.

—Genesis 1:28

This is different than the command He gave to the animals, which was only this: Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth (Genesis 1:22).

Third, the Bible says that humans were given a position in God’s creation that is right below the angels and far above the animals.

When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas.

—Psalm 8:3–8 (ESV)

This passage shows that we are just below the angels and above the animal kingdom. Taking this a step further, the Bible even says that we will judge the world and even the angels.

Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? If the world is judged by you, are you not competent to constitute the smallest law courts? Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more matters of this life?

—1 Corinthians 6:2–3

The fourth distinction—and one that should truly shape our identity—is that God breathed His Spirit into humans.

Then the Lord God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.

—Genesis 2:7

God breathed the breath of life into humans directly, rather than indirectly, as imparted to the animals. This breath represents the eternal soul that’s within each of us—our eternal beings that will outlive our bodies in either heaven or hell based on whether we’ve received Jesus’s covering for our sins (John 3:16–20). Indeed, humans are the most special of all God’s creations.

All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one flesh of men, and another flesh of beasts, and another flesh of birds, and another of fish.

—1 Corinthians 15:39

When we contrast these four points with the theory of evolution, which says that humans evolved from apes, we find that the Bible paints a very different picture. Jesus Himself confirmed that humans were in fact created at the beginning of creation (Mark 10:6), and Paul confirms that Adam was created as the first man (1 Corinthians 15:45). Man did not evolve through a slow, molecules-to-man process over millions of years. He was spontaneously created by God just thousands of years ago.

With this foundation laid down, let’s move on to the incredible.

We Are Sons, Kings, and Priests

Let’s face it: most of us don’t have a clear picture of how God actually feels about us. Our ideas about who God is and what our relationship with Him should look like are misshaped by the world, the media, and how we were raised (in both good ways and bad).

God loves us with unconditional love. His love for us does not depend on our grades or how we perform at work. He just loves us. He loved us before we were born, He loves us now, and His love for us will continue after we leave this world. It is this unconditional, reaching love for us that moves Him to want a relationship with us and lead us in the ways that are best for us.

Some people mistake the Bible for a list of outdated rules. The Bible only includes dos and don’ts because He knows what’s best for us and He wants to protect us and provide for us. It is only with a firm understanding of this kind of love that we can start understanding who we are in Christ. So let’s start reshaping our identity in Christ by looking at some key verses from the Bible, which is His love letter to us.

In Romans 5:8, Paul declares, "God