Warrior Ethos
Speaking of men , I just finished reading Beowulf , the story of a courageous Swedish warrior who fought fearlessly against two monsters and a dragon in order to defend the people of Denmark and Sweden. Beowulf is the oldest surviving poem in the English language. As an English student I wish I could say I am such a literary cultural buff that I just strolled into a library in my free time and picked up this renowned story for my own literary development. Wrong! It definitely was assigned by my Anglo Saxon class… :) Nevertheless, I am ecstatic that it was assigned because after spending hours confused over Germanic-influenced syntax and studying lackluster literary criticism I absolutely LOVE it!
The reason I loved Beowulf is because it reaffirmed convictions in my heart about what makes a man a man. A real man is way more than the external package! As much as I appreciate the huskiness of the male voice-it’s sexy ,not gonna lie :)- at the end of the day it’s not his voice that is important to me but the words that proceed out of it. Does this man reverence and cherish the Word of God?
Beowulf was a warrior that was committed to giving his life for his kinsman, or the brotherhood of other warriors. I think a real man is a man who is committed to the Body of Believers. I think a man that shows up at church is on the right road but does this man show a firm commitment to strengthening, encouraging, admonishing, and rebuking, yes even rebuking, other “warriors” in order that they fight the good fight of faith well? According to short term missionary Mike Cain, “Men are meant to fight, build, and sharpen. And if we’re not fighting against sin and the world, they’ll fight against one another.”
As a warrior Beowulf made wise decisions. Another characteristic that sticks out to me about a real man is wisdom. I think a man is someone who knows the difference between wisdom and knowledge. It’s one thing for a guy to be “book smart” and know lots of intelligent facts but it is another to be able to apply those facts to daily situations in order to make the best choice in any given situation- now that’s wisdom. I don’t think wisdom is a natural thing that people are born with but I believe it is something that a man must humbly depend on God for. According to James1:5 is, “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him."
I think the thing that I loved most about Beowulf-yes, I am the biggest dork in the world and did think this fictitious Geatish warrior was incredibly attractive- was his courage! Beowulf was willing to fight two monsters that terrorized his people. He was willing to risk his life for the sake of others. He reminds me of King David, who was willing to risk his life in order to fight Goliath, the giant that was tormenting the Jewish people. In the same way Beowulf, took no thought of his own well being and courageously surged forward in battle, insistent that he would either beat the wretched beasts or die trying. Men, do you know how attractive this kind of courage is?
There’s a lot more that I think is incredibly attractive when I access men: Are they honest to the core? Are they faithful to their commitments-even when it’s inconvenient? Can they maintain a steady job? Can they tell a story where they are not the hero?
I believe that every person is a sinner so no man-no matter how awesome-will ever be perfect. However, I do believe that by looking at Jesus Christ men can have an awesome example of a man that exemplified courage, kindness, strength-under-control (meekness), truthfulness, power and ultimately love. As my friend Maya Pirela recently pointed out the reason I am so attracted to the warrior ethos is because when a man emsemplifies chracteristics like these he reminds me of my Victorious Warrior, Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the only God-man who will ever embody an of these characteristics entirely but isn’t it cool how he allows mankind to reflect Him if they will only submit to his Lordship?
