Embracing the tension of manhood
“The heart of a ram has eight chambers. It’s strong enough to take on any job because you either make dust or eat it.”
If only they were talking about men instead of trucks. But one African philosophy, if embraced, believes men should be ram-strong.
A Call For a Robust Vision of Masculinity
In a world where the concept of masculinity is often distorted and diluted, we have to ground our understanding of manhood in a robust biblical theology—one that provides both a framework for understanding our calling as men and a defense against the cultural currents that seek to undermine it.
As Dr. Anthony Bradley reminds us, "The world needs men from the church who are compassionate, angry, and not without many sorrows. This embodies what it means to follow Christ in union and communion with God the Father, empowered by the spirit to live a life of true greatness. That is, the Son, reflecting the Father, embodies compassion, anger, and sorrow, and this is precisely what the world requires more of from Christian men—to be Christ-like. Compassion is not "feminine," anger is not sinful, and sorrow is not a sign of weakness.”
In this reminder, Dr. Bradley highlights a biblical perspective that calls us to embrace a vision of masculinity rooted in strength, humility, and wisdom—a vision embodied in the ancient symbol of Dwennimmen. We’ll get back to that in a second.
The Biblical Tapestry of Manhood
In biblical theology, we find a rich tapestry of stories and teachings illuminating manhood's true essence.
From the courageous leadership of figures like Joshua and David to the unwavering faithfulness of men like Joseph and Daniel, the Bible offers a compelling portrait of what it means to be a man after God's own heart.
Like us, these men were not perfect—they faced trials, lusted, and failed many times—but they remained steadfast in their commitment to God and His purposes.
Raw and rugged these men depicted a biblical vision of masculinity that can be summed up in the call to "act like a man," a phrase that appears throughout Scripture and carries profound implications for how we are to live our lives.
In his first letter to the Corinthians, the apostle Paul exhorts his readers, "Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love" (1 Corinthians 16:13-14, ESV). This call to "act like men" is not a call to machismo or bravado but a call to courage, integrity, and sacrificial love—a call to embody the virtues of Dwennimmen.
More than Strength: A Holistic Commitment
Here’s the deal: We have been entrusted with a sacred responsibility as men—to reflect our Creator's character and care for the world He has made.
This requires more than just physical prowess or intellectual acumen; it requires a holistic commitment to living in harmony with God's purposes and priorities.
In a culture that often sways men to either be outrageously aggressive or confusingly effeminate, the biblical vision of masculinity stands as a powerful counter-narrative—one that calls us to a higher standard of living. It challenges us to reject the false promises of worldly success and to embrace the true riches of character and virtue. It reminds us that true strength is found not in the ability to overpower others but in the ability to serve them—to lay down our lives for the sake of others, just as Christ laid down His life for us.
To "act like men"— is to be strong yet humble, courageous yet compassionate, wise yet teachable. Jesus embodies this perfectly for us.
Dwennimmen: Redefining Strength
The name "Dwennimmen" resonates with the wisdom of the Akan people of West Africa, reminding us of the power and resilience embodied in the horns of a ram.
But these horns symbolize more than physical strength; they also represent humility and wisdom. In a world that often glorifies brute force and dominance, Dwennimmen challenges us to redefine strength as a force tempered by humility and guided by wisdom.
Nurturing Well-being: A Different Kind of Strength
At the heart of Dwennimmen lies a commitment to nurturing physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. It's about being protectors of our families and communities, not just through sheer muscle but through emotional attunement and spiritual fervency. It's about leading with humility and wisdom, recognizing that true leadership is not about domination but service.
Urban Men and the Challenge of Dwennimmen
As urban men, we face a unique set of challenges, from the pressures of work and career to the complexities of relationships and family life. But in these challenges, we find strength and inspiration in the example of Jesus Christ. He, who was in the very form of God, humbled Himself to take on the role of a servant, demonstrating that true power lies in selfless service to others.
Philippians 2:4-11 reminds us of the ultimate model of Dwennimmen—Jesus Christ Himself. His life and teachings exemplify the perfect balance of strength, humility, power, and service. What if we intentionally disciple the men around us to emulate Jesus in this light?
Building Communities of Dwennimmen Men
What if we sought to create communities in the toughest areas of our nation where urban men were given a clear vision for their lives and areas of responsibility?
Communities where strength is measured not just by the size of our muscles but by the depth of our compassion, sincerity of our service, and integrity of our faith. What if we, as kingdom leaders, committed to cultivating communities where men learn from one another, grow together, and journey towards a deeper understanding of what it means to be Dwennimmen?
As urban men, we stand at a crossroads, faced with either succumbing to the pressures of society or rising above them. The vision of Dwennimmen offers us a path of strength, humility, and wisdom. It's a path that calls us to be the strongest versions of ourselves for the sake of our families, our neighborhoods, our churches, and the world at large.
The Choice and the Reward
We have a decision to make. Will we let the culture do what it wants with us, our children, our churches, and our communities? Or will we embrace this vision, knowing that in doing so, we bring honor to ourselves and the God who created us in His image? In embracing the vision of Dwennimmen, we find not just strength but grace, power, and love. And in embracing this vision, we become the men God has called us to be—strong, humble, and wise.
