At what point did manly men surrender the art of poetry to tofu-eaters? Sure, there are exceptions of respectable men writing and reading poetry. For the most part, though, poetry is thought of as something for the artsy-fartsy, effeminate, badminton players. Manly men drive trucks, eat steak, play football, use power-tools, and kill their own venison. They don’t read poetry. Seriously, can you picture Rodney Harrison penning a quick sonnet during half-time? Or Jim from According to Jim? Or Tim the “Tool Man” Taylor?
This apparent disconnect between manliness and poetry has not always existed. Consider David, for instance. Here’s a guy who attacks lions, bears, and giants with sticks and stones. His future father-in-law who just threw a javelin at him asks for 100 Philistine foreskins as a dowry. So what’s David do—he brings him 200. No question—this guy is a manly man. If we’re picking teams in gym class, David goes first every time. But check out what David wrote in his down time (Ps. 29):
Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings,
ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
2 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;
worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness.
3 The voice of the LORD is over the waters;
the God of glory thunders, the LORD, over many waters.
4 The voice of the LORD is powerful;
the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.
5 The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars;
the LORD breaks the cedars of Lebanon.
6 He makes Lebanon to skip like a calf,
and Sirion like a young wild ox.
7 The voice of the LORD flashes forth flames of fire.
8 The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness;
the LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
9 The voice of the LORD makes the deer give birth and strips the forests bare,
and in his temple all cry, “Glory!”
10 The LORD sits enthroned over the flood;
the LORD sits enthroned bas king forever.
11 May the LORD give strength to his people!
May the LORD bless1 his people with peace!
Not bad for a manly man.
I wonder if it’s a sad commentary on our understanding of masculinity that we think of men as not-so-manly who can feel their God and express his beauty and glory in literary ways that are deserving of him. The reality is, we tend to think that. The other reality is, though, that men like David are the most masculine of men, not because they kill bears, but because they reflect the character of their glorious, creative, strong God. Perhaps we’re ready for a more biblical definition of “masculine.” Great post, Bob! Thanks for reminding us of the manliness of God-centered poetry. John Piper would be proud!
The idea of being “manly” is a societal stereotype. It focuses on an individual’s physical strength and relative indifference towards emotional issues. You may be a confident and virile male if you poetry, but poetry will not fit into the definition of “manly” for some time.
Nice sentiment though.