CCT 28-1_LR

Horrifyingly, that warning seems to have worked. Recently, another violent criminal lit a sleeping woman on fire and watched her burn alive on a subway. 7 Not a single bystander stepped up to protect her from harm, perhaps because such protective actions have been so thoroughly vilified as “toxic.” By discouraging masculinity, we not only physically endanger society but also erode it from within. Father lessness is a serious issue with well-documented negative impacts on children’s behavioral, educational, mental, emotional, physical, criminal, and socioeconomic well being. 8 As Pastor Martin told me, “If we could solve [fatherlessness] in America, we solve everything…. When men lead and love well, everybody flourishes.” 9 Conversely, he explained that communities and families suffer when men abandon their God-given responsibilities to protect, provide, and lead. “When men don’t do their job, everybody suffers. Almost every non profit in our country was created because men didn’t do what they were supposed to do.” 10 We must boldly advocate for masculinity that mirrors Christ’s example: strength, service, sacrifice, leadership, and the moral courage to stand up to evil. Beginning with ourselves, we can restore a balanced view of manhood that both highlights and celebrates men’s essential roles. Let us work toward a culture where men are encouraged to be the stalwarts our communities desperately need, thereby strengthening our families and society as a whole. ✠

Endnotes 1 YouTube. (2024, December 23). Pastor Joby Martin: Bibli cal manhood & the crisis of masculinity. The Resilient Show. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jC7_ifLMBhg. 2 YouTube. (2024a, October 28). John Amanchukwu Speaks on his school board battles, woke culture & CRT. The Resilient Show. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98Z6dXU--_I. 3 O’Neil, T. (2021, December 8). Texas dads arrested after get ting vocal at school board meetings say superintendent aims to “silence” them. Fox News. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/ texas-dads-arrested-school-board-meetings-superintendent. 4 Chasmar, J., & Fox News. (2021, October 12). Loudoun County father arrested at school board event says school tried to cover up daughter’s bathroom assault. Fox News. https:// www.foxnews.com/politics/loudoun-county-father-school cover-up-bathroom-assault-daughter. 5 Gaertner, L. (2024, October 2). Preacher threatened with arrest for peacefully protesting at WCPSS BoE. YouTube. https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtowKJyb1vs. 6 Ruiz, M., & Fox News. (2024, November 7). Daniel Penny trial: Subway madman raised fists before Marine Vet’s deadly chokehold, witness testifies. Fox News. https://www.foxnews. com/us/daniel-penny-trial-subway-madman-raised-fists-before marine-vets-deadly-chokehold-witness-testifies. 7 Price, S. (2024, December 24). Critics warn of “Daniel Penny Effect” after woman burned alive on NYC subway car as bystanders watched. Fox News. https://www.foxnews.com/us/ critics-warn-daniel-penny-effect-after-woman-burned-alive-nyc subway-car-bystanders-watched. 8 A father’s impact on child development: Child abuse pre vention, treatment & welfare services: Children’s bureau. All For Kids. (2023, May 12). https://www.allforkids.org/news/ blog/a-fathers-impact-on-child-development/. 9 YouTube. (2024, December 23). Pastor Joby Martin: Biblical manhood & the crisis of masculinity. 10 YouTube. (2024, December 23). Pastor Joby Martin: Biblical manhood & the crisis of masculinity.

CHAD ROBICHAUX is a former Force Recon Marine, DoD contractor, and Afghanistan veteran. He is the founder of the Mighty Oaks Foundation (mightyoaksprograms.org), the best-selling author of Saving Aziz: How the Mission to Help One Became a Calling to Rescue Thousands from the

Taliban and A Mission Without Borders: Why a Father and Son Risked it All for the People of Ukraine , and hosts The Resilient Show (theresilientshow.com).

40

christian counseling today VOL. 28 NO. 1