poverty
Give Young Men a Better Vision for Masculinity
By Justin Dillehay at The Gospel Coalition
· June 26, 2026
· 6 min read
Fifty years ago, in his book Man as Male and Female, theologian Paul Jewett noted that “contemporary theologians are not so sure that they know what it means to be a man in distinction to a woman.” Sadly, Jewett admitted that he wasn’t sure either—despite claiming that sexuality “permeates one’s ind
Key takeaway Thankfully, we’re not as desperate for good books on this topic as we were 50 years ago.
Why this matters
The search for a clear understanding of masculinity is particularly relevant in the context of poverty, where traditional roles and expectations can be disrupted. In communities struggling with economic hardship, the lack of positive male role models can exacerbate the challenges faced by young men. The absence of a well-defined vision for masculinity can lead to confusion and frustration, making it more difficult for them to navigate their relationships, careers, and personal lives. The recent publication of Seth Troutt's Authentic Masculinity offers a timely contribution to this conversation, providing a faith-based perspective on what it means to be a man. By exploring the concept of authentic masculinity, Troutt's work has the potential to inform and shape the ways in which churches and faith-based organizations approach men's discipleship and community development, particularly in low-income communities where these issues are often most pressing.
About this story
Original reporting by The Gospel Coalition . Christgiving surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: poverty ·
Published: June 26, 2026 ·
Source: The Gospel Coalition ·
Reading time: 6 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Fifty years ago, in his book Man as Male and Female, theologian Paul Jewett noted that “contemporary theologians are not so sure that they know what it means to be a man in distinction to a woman.” Sadly, Jewett admitted that he wasn’t sure either—despite claiming that sexuality “permeates one’s ind
When was this published? This article was first published on June 26, 2026 by The Gospel Coalition and curated for Christgiving readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Justin Dillehay at The Gospel Coalition. To learn more about how Christgiving selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more poverty coverage from Christgiving, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .