- Paperback: 288 pages
- Publisher: Spence Publishing Company (July 1999)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1890626198
- ISBN-13: 978-1890626198
- Product Dimensions: 22.9 x 15.5 x 2.4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,129,430 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Many people have noted, and worried about, the fact that men are so much less likely to regularly attend church in the West than women. In this book, Leon Podles examines this phenomenon from a historical perspective, and concludes that it is not a new problem, but one that extends all the way back to the thirteenth century! Immediately following that, the author takes a powerful look at masculinity (as opposed to maleness, the mere fact of being a male of the species) from the viewpoints of biology, developmental psychology, and anthropology. Then, there are chapters that trace the evolution of Judaism and the first millennium church, neither of which suffered from a lack of men. Finally, the author examines the changes in Christian thinking that began in the thirteenth century, follows trends in masculine development in the absence of Christian influence, and finally provides some suggestions on reversing this "feminization" of the church.
As a man, I found that this book spoke to me. The author's examination of masculinity was powerful, striding far beyond what I have read in other "men's" books. The problem that the author proposes is both subtle and profound. I believe that the author's examination of the men produced outside of Christian beliefs (e.g. love, hope and charity) means that women should also be concerned about this problem. Therefore, let me recommend this book to all believers.
11 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The academic language that acts as window dressing for the deeply flawed and ill-researched logical leaps in this book will probably fool most of the casual readers who come across it. If you are interested in cultivating your own critical thinking skills then go right ahead and skip this book.
The cherry picked pieces of data cited as historical fact can only harm. This is because the conclusions are given to you, and supported by this cherry picking, instead of an open and honest field of facts presented as points of discussion. Terrible terrible work. I hope not too many readers begin parroting the information that this text feeds them.
The cherry picked pieces of data cited as historical fact can only harm. This is because the conclusions are given to you, and supported by this cherry picking, instead of an open and honest field of facts presented as points of discussion. Terrible terrible work. I hope not too many readers begin parroting the information that this text feeds them.
6 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
As an Episcopal priest, I've long recognized and been concerned about the absence of men in the life of the church. Dr. Podle's book is an outstanding contribution to our knowledge about how this situation came about. His handling of sex and gender issues, his knowledge of the Bible and the literature of medieval mystical writers is impressive. I urge pastors and priests, as well as concerned lay leaders, to read this book in the hopes that Podle's contribution will provoke a wider and more serious discussion of these issues.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Finally! Some straight talk about Christianity & gender!
Read carefully the review "READER BEWARE" above to learn how contemporary religious feminists react when someone talks straight about God, the Bible,Christian... Read more
Published on 29 July 1999
feminization of non-Christianity
I agree with everything the writer of the "Reader Beware" review wrote.
One thing that is certain, Podles has a gross misunderstanding of Christianity and Christian... Read more
Published on 29 July 1999
Reader Beware!
Underneath all the nice literary window-dressing with which one would expect a PhD in English to format a book, this effort proves faulty in data and logic. Read more
Published on 19 July 1999
Unmasks the feminization of the church!
Kudos to Dr. Podles for his fine new opus on men and the church! Most who darken the doors of a local church have the same question rolling around in their minds: where are all... Read more
Published on 10 July 1999
Stunning!
I bought two copies...one for me and one for my pastor. This is an awakening for men!
Published on 25 Mar 1999
Destined to become a classic on men & religion?
The author has done his homework. Well researched and documented, this book helped me understand my role as a Christian man in the church, and in the home. Read more
Published on 20 Feb 1999
Calm, Incisive, and Convincing
Leon Podles unpacks George Bernard Shaw's quip that there are three sexes: male, female, and clergy. Read more
Published on 17 Feb 1999
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