Why Fight Club

A couple of days ago I had someone ask me why we were doing a bible study for guys called Fight Club? Good question. Here’s my answer.

In our culture there is a shortage of men who actually act like men. Think about it, from the spoiled toddler-like behavior of most professional athletes, to the CEO who fleeces people out of millions of dollars, to the pastor who commits sexual sin, there are very few examples of men who walk in walk in humility, take responsibility and sacrificially lead and protect others.

I think that part of the reason for that is that the church has largely ignored the necessity of teaching what it means to be a man. Since our first father, Adam, fell in the garden, true biblical masculinity is not something that boys naturally pursue. My friend Jon Deans says that, “The natural default position for men is passivity”. In other words all men typically act like Adam. We neglect our God given responsibility and look for someone else to blame. (Genesis 3)

As a result you typically find two previsions of biblical masculinity. One, is effeminacy, the other is a macho over the top counterfeit masculinity. Doug Wilson describes these two perversions this way:

With effeminacy, a man takes on a set of virtues, which are not supposed to be his virtues. With the latter, he adopts a set of pseudo-virtues that are not virtues at all.

Biblical masculinity is something you have to fight for. It is learned through instruction and discipline and conforming to the likeness of our savior Jesus. It is not something that comes easily. It is a war, a war against our own flesh and against our enemy Satan, who has been attacking us since he went after Adam. So the goal for Fight Club is to give young men the weapons they need to win this war.

What is masculinity? How do we define what it means to be a man according to the Scriptures?

In his book Future Men, Doug Wilson writes:

Men are crated to exercise dominion over the earth; they are fitted to be husbandman, tilling the earth; they are equipped to be saviors, delivering from evil; they are expected to grow up into wisdom, becoming sages; and they are designed to reflect the image and glory of God.

Over the next several weeks at Fight Club we will begin to unpack what it means to be a man using these five areas:

Lords

Husbandmen

Saviors

Sage

Glory-bearers

If you are a man (or if you know a man) who is ready to get in the battle and fight the good fight consider joining us Tuesday nights @ 8:30 in the basement at WFBC.

Why I Deleted My Last Post

You may or may not know my last post generated a great deal of discussion. I am afraid much of it was for the wrong reason. I am thankful for some godly men whom God has placed in my life who offered loving rebukes and correction (Proverbs 27:6—Faithful are the wounds of a friend). After re-reading the post half a dozen times and listening to counsel I came to the conclusion that the tone of the post as well as some of the things I said were out of line and sinful.

I want to publically repent for over generalizing and making blanket statements about college students being irresponsible, self absorbed and not committed.

I love college students and I love the ministry God has given me to students. The truth is that at WFBC we could literally not function without the committed and deeply involved students who attend here.

I am deeply sorry for the hurt my words may have caused and ask for your forgiveness.

2 Timothy 2:24-25 says:

And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponent with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth

My hope is that my ministry would be characterized by these words. My deepest desire is that the people who God graciously allows me to do ministry with will love Jesus and hate sin. And I hope the same is true for myself.

Thank you and God Bless,

Vic

Eighteen Years: A Good Thing and God’s Favor

He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord. Proverbs 18:22

Tomorrow (September 7th) I will celebrate 18 years of marriage with my bride. Eighteen years ago she had the most incredible lapse of judgment--she said, "Yes" and made me the happiest man in the world. Eighteen years later and by God's overwhelming grace, it's simply gotten better and better.

We married in our hometown in the church she grew up in. I remember not being able to catch my breath when I first saw her that day and the past eighteen years have been filled with moments where she has taken my breath away. I still can't believe she said yes. And I'm convinced she's a Christian because she stays.

She is my best friend and the love of my life. We have laughed and cried and been amazed at God’s grace in our lives as he has blessed us with four amazing kids and friends and family who love and support us. I cannot imagine life without her. Everyday she is a walking, talking, encouraging, loving, caring, patient, and beautiful reminder that on September 7th, 1991 God showed me favor.

I love you Cynthia! Happy aniversery!