Manthropology

Shared responsibilities was discussed in my last post. How interesting that today I came across  reviews of 2 new books called Manthropology (Peter McAllister) and Is There Anything Good About Men (Roy F. Baumeister) by Peter Shiflett. Mr. McAllister says that today's men need to man up as in his view contemporary males are faint shadows of their shaggy forebears. Wimpy would be a good word to describe McAllister's view of today's men. Mr. Baumeister is less concerned about the wimpification of modern man than about the degree to which men have been historically exploited. The very cultures that men have built, he says, have considered males more expendable than women. The last paragraph of Mr. Shiflett's review says "If ancient erectus were told that his "sons" had driven to a Nascar event at 70 mph in cars outfitted with satellite radios; that they lived in climate-controlled houses equipped with refrigerators full of parasite-free steaks from Argentina and beer from Holland; that they and their womenfolk took showers and were familiar with shampoo, he might shout: 'My sons, you have found the Kingdom of Heaven!' And, comparatively speaking, he'd be right." Now I don't know anything about Mr. Shiflett but I found his reference to the Kingdom of Heaven pretty interesting. His inference is one of absolute bliss. Jesus, however, had much to say about the Kingdom of Heaven. He referenced it in several parables in Matthew 13. In each case He says the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand and consists of both the wheat and the tares, the good and the bad, the believers and non-believers. Ultimately, the wheat and tares, the good and bad, the believers and non believers will be sorted out and appointed their appropriate judgement. In the meantime, guys whose lives are consumed with racing, steaks and imported beer (and similar) seem to be in the majority and in fact do view it as heaven. So, is there anything good about men? To the extent they are redeemed and pursuing a lifelong ambition to be like Christ, yes. Otherwise, Mr. Baumeister probably has nailed too many guys. So ladies.....which guy do you prefer?