Manhood Restored

We are "de-Cathinated" (but definitely not decaffeinated) for this BONUS episode.  Ben is joined by three of his pastor friends (Adam Poe, Phil Bange, and Justin Monfort), all from local churches of different Protestant denominations, to discuss this episode's title question.  While we will be without the Catholic Chadder, these dynamic men are poised to deliver some absolutely great insights.   

In true Man Talk fashion, there's a four-way free-flowing discussion throughout; as the conversation draws down, each co-host gives their final weigh-in.  The four co-hosts discuss how to effectively minister in our homes and in society, and how to reach our youth for Christ and the role technology plays in that effort.  Then it's off to new and exciting things for Ben and Chad!  Thanks again for listening and supporting us! 

Of course, you can always find out what Ben is up to at:   Home - Ben Neff

Recommendations from our Co-hosts:

The Gospel comes with a House Key by Rosiario Butterfield

Joining Jesus on His Mission by Greg Finke

Questioning Evangelism by Randy Newman

Evangelism in a Skeptical World by Sam Chan

Beacons of Light, implemented in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati in July of 2022, is an attempt to address difficult realities facing Catholics, realities like declining Mass attendance and growing priest shortages. A consolidation of parish churches into groupings called “Families” has ensued with the hope that shared resources might enable Catholics to move "from a mindset of maintenance to a mindset of mission." Despite its good intentions and its arguably necessary measures, Beacons has proven disruptive and often trying for many of the lay faithful.

Chad takes this BONUS opportunity to bring in three Mighty Catholic laymen (John Paul Slonkosky, Nick Rentz, and Jared Pottkotter), for a 4-mic Man-Talk, to discuss this episode’s title question. The four of them roundtable the challenges, the realizations, and the divisions brought on by Beacons.  What has been the experience of Beacons “on the ground” by the average Catholic?  How much of the difficulties during these first two years of Beacons has to do with parish consolidations, and how much has to do with younger priests moving toward more traditional liturgical celebrations? What is the future of Catholicism in Cincinnati, and (at the episode’s end) what advice would these four men give to lay men and women as we move forward together?

SHOW NOTES:

Beacons of Light Parish Families - Archdiocese of Cincinnati (catholicaoc.org)

Episode 138 - 

It's the last hurrah here on the Manhood Restored podcast!  Two and half years of weekly episodes add up to 150 (counting BONUSES!), and we find ourselves having one last mighty conversation.  Ben and Chad could think of no better way to sign off than to interact with questions from you, Dear Listener.  We sincerely THANK YOU for coming along with us on this project - it's been a blast!  God Bless you!

Here are the question topics, in order of how we answer them:

1. Our recommended "replacement" podcasts/resources, post-MR
2. Why didn't we ever have a woman on the program?
3. What do we make of the general malaise of young men and how can we change that negative trend?
4. What devotional/formative resources would we recommend to young men?
5. Will honestly seeking the truth about God/salvation ultimately lead to the Catholic Church (Ben)?
6. If the early Church (first 300+ years), didn't have the Canon of Scripture, how did it practice 'Sola Scriptura' (Ben)?
7. Who would be Ben's Patron Saint and why? 
8. How do we continue to persevere in "doing the next right thing" when life is hard and nothing we do seems to make a difference? 
9. What have Ben and Chad learned to appreciate about each other's respective faith traditions after having done the podcast?
10. How have Ben and Chad benefitted, in general, from doing the podcast? 
11. What is next for Ben and Chad, post MR?

SHOW NOTES:

See what Ben is doing, read his blog or have him come speak at your event. Check out...www.benneff.com 

Plug 'em in and pass 'em around - the microphones, that is!  Four microphones to be exact.  And four men, for the last MAN TALK, convene a roundtable on this crucial leading question.  Two hosts and two guest hosts have a very timely and important conversation.  A really great conversation.  A beautiful conversation.  By the end, each man reveals how he'll be voting in the 2024 --okay, not really.  But they do each finally give their conclusion on the question at hand.  (Feel free to weigh in, dear listener, by emailing us at [email protected])

Craig Flack and Andy Muhlenkamp are two very thoughtful and mighty men.  They join Ben and Chad to add some healthy balance to this ("HUGE") politically charged topic.  Craig is the Pastor at Celina First Church of God in Celina, Ohio; Andy is a member of the sure-to-be-renowned-someday local book club, the Blinklings.  The four face the elephants (and donkeys) in the MR "studio".  Which presidential option is more problematic for a Christian-in-good-conscience:  Trump or Biden?  Do the various elements at play in today's political landscape make it uniquely difficult for a Chrisitian to stay faithful in his beliefs AND be engaged in the political process?  And how can a man's core identity be a key to whether or not he's voting faithfully on any given issue or for any particular candidate?     
   

Episode 136 - 

We've established that feminism has a fatal foothold in all sorts of cultural and societal institutions - it's made schooling anti-boy; it's made dating and marriage miserable for many--men and women alike; it's turned our storytelling into unrealistic propaganda; it's opened the floodgates for every form of gender confusion under the sun.  But is it possible that it's also managed to emasculate our theology? 

Ben does the opposite of smooth things over in this, his last lead episode--that is, he just makes more waves (and too many puns), while Chad carries a memorable tune as co-host in this "fruity" episode.  The two toss around the novel notion that the Holy Spirit animates men and women differently.  How might "fruits" of the Spirit like peace and love take on a uniquely masculine character?  What would cause or motivate someone to "read feminism into" the Scriptures?  And what are examples of how the manly bearing of spiritual fruit can benefit the home, the church, and the culture at large?

SHOW NOTES:

• Chad's song reference:  Slugs & Bugs – Slugs and Bugs
• Ben's devotional book reference- Abiding in Christ- Andrew Murray
• Ben's Biblical passages referenced:
  • Fruit of the Spirit - Galatians 5:22 NIV - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, - Bible Gateway
  • Paul's spiritually manly appeal: 2 Timothy 1:6-14 NIV - Appeal for Loyalty to Paul and the - Bible Gateway

Episode 135 -

One hundred and thirty-five episodes in and the core message of this podcast remains the same:  Men—MIGHTY MEN—are the solution to the problems besetting western society today.  What kind of men in particular?  What makes a man mighty and how can he become fit for the task of righting the ship?  Piece by piece, that is the puzzle we’ve been putting together at the Manhood Restored podcast.  This episode puts a frame around that puzzle’s final, integrated picture.

Chad takes the mound in the final game of this seven-game “series” of an episode, while Ben waits in the bullpen for the call to close as the “wild” card co-host.  The two take a step back and marvel at the manly picture that’s materialized over the course of two years of recording.  Which of Chad’s “man” episodes have come together to form a helpful road map to Mighty Mandom?  What does it mean to be an Integrated Man?  And what are some saintly and biblical examples of men who fit the Integrated-Man mold?

SHOW NOTES:

Chad's Challenge movie:  A Man for All Seasons (1966) - IMDb

Episode 134 - 

We have "grilled" each other on our differences, come together on the ways we agree, and debated big topics like salvation.  Now with the end of our conversations drawing near, we couldn't conclude the podcast without one last Catholic vs. Protestant debate! 

Ben , professing to be the titleholder, heard a challenge in a recent Man Talk episode and can't resist leading the protest; Chad, relishing the role of "underdog", is all too happy to oblige as contender and co-host!  The two turn inward again to talk on a major point of departure between Catholics & Protestants:  the sacraments.  Ben pushes back strongly against the need for the priesthood in administering grace.  Chad appeals to the necessity of form and ritual in worship and prayer - regardless of denomination.  They seek understanding and clarification by:  going to the Bible (Chad, believe it or not!);  telling about their own recent experiences (Ben's got an interesting one!);  and both expressing their own deep-seeded sensibilities of how to relate to God.  

Episode 133 - 

The trends in survey data on friendship are indicating steep declines in recent decades - in both friendship quality and quantity. That trend, it's popularly believed, has most especially affected men.  One 2021 survey found that men with at least six "close friends" has dropped from 55 percent to 27 percent since1990!  How can that be in a society that purports to be so "social" and "connected"?  Oh, the irony!

Chad's parades as the Grand Poohbah in this secret man club of an episode, while Ben gets a co-host's initiation, coughing through the club's cloud of cigar smoke as he tries to perfect the Manhood Restored secret handshake. The two friends puzzle over the recent friendship trends and reflect on the value of friendship.  What could be the contributing factors to such sharp declines in friendship among men?  How important are friendships to men, especially given the time and energy required to maintain them?  And how have Ben and Chad fared personally with making and maintaining friendships into their adult lives?

SHOW NOTES:

• Friendship survey data from 2021:
  •  The State of American Friendship: Change, Challenges, and Loss - The Survey Center on American Life (americansurveycenter.org)
  • American Men Suffer a Friendship Recession - The Survey Center on American Life (americansurveycenter.org)

Episode 132 - 

It's been a long many years since the tectonic times of the Seneca Falls Convention; the societal fracture left at its feminist epicenter has widened into a canyon-sized divide between the sexes.  The tremors of nearly 200 years of feminism have been felt by nearly every corner of our society.   Its harmful effects are found in culture, education, economics, sexuality.  Even Christian institutions have been far from immune.  That's including the institution of marriage.

Ben calls up his inner Anchorman for this magnum opus of an episode, while Chad chases the storm stirred up therein as co-host.  The two batten down the hatches for a headlong dive into the whipping winds of a "Her-ricane".  How would one accurately define Feminism as a cultural phenomenon from the Manhood Restored perspective?  What are some ways in which feminism has found its way into Christian households and Christian Marriages?  How can men and women begin to reverse its negative effects, and could the solution have anything to do with the A-Word?  

SHOW NOTES:

• Seneca Fall document (read for yourself):  The Seneca Falls Declaration 1848 < 1826-1850 < Documents < American History From Revolution To Reconstruction and beyond (rug.nl)
• Mike Winger Women in Ministry Intro
• Mike Winger Men as Head of Household
• John Michael Clark- The Family Captain
• Michael Foster
• The Cherishing Nurture of a Godly Feminine
• Book Recommendation (written by a former feminist):  The End of Woman: How Smashing the Patriarchy Has Destroyed Us: Gress, Carrie: 9781684514182: Amazon.com: Books

Episode 131 - 

*LISTEN IN FOR A MANHOOD RESTORED SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT*

Parents and grandparents passing along hard-earned wisdom to the next generation is probably most often accomplished through oral storytelling, impromtu lectures, and incidental conversation.  But there's nothing like the written word (or a written-up podcast episode) to really focus and articulate the "the things you want them to know"; taking the time to think through what's worth sharing and putting those thoughts to paper, is a a great way of leaving behind your words even after you're gone.

Chad busts out his "quill" and plays the sage for this personal letter of an episode, as Ben lingers around as co-host hoping an idea will light him up (because that's what Bens do best!).  The two contemplate the "letter to my son" concept as Chad lays out six pieces of advice he wants to pass along to his children.  Along with each six, he also gives real life examples of how the advice has helped him in his own life.  Ben piggybacks off each idea and then adds his own elderly advice at the end.   

SHOW NOTES:

Andrew Peterson song referened at episode's end:  https://lyrics.lyricfind.com/lyrics/andrew-peterson-youll-find-your-way