Book Review: “Manhood: The Masculine Virtues America Needs”

Editor’s Note: The following review appears in the Spring 2025 issue of Eikon.

Josh Hawley. Manhood: The Masculine Virtues America Needs. Washington D.C.: Regnery, 2023.

When a sitting United States Senator writes a book, it deserves consideration. When that book focuses on biblical manhood, Christians especially should pay attention. Josh Hawley, senior Senator from Missouri, has written such a book. Manhood: The Masculine Virtues America Needs is Hawley’s effort to help men become who God created them to be. His proposed path forward follows the themes of Scripture, primarily God’s created order and calling. Using Scripture as his guide, Hawley’s “hope is that in telling again these Adam stories, we will find our own story written there and discover new vision for our lives” (13).

Summary

Known primarily for taking on “Big Tech,” Josh Hawley sets his focus on another pervasive problem in America — the struggle of men. As the culture has waged war against “toxic masculinity,” it has tragically communicated that any vestige of biblical masculinity must be opposed. This war on masculinity has produced devastating consequences. Drug usage, suicide, and crime rates have dramatically increased among men in America in recent years. Society has emasculated men, leading to their loss of purpose and apathy towards holding steady jobs or getting married. “All is not well with men in America. And that spells trouble for the American republic,” Hawley writes (6).

Hawley’s book is divided into two parts, pointing men to hope and purpose. In Part I, Hawley lays the foundation for identifying the ideal expressions of manhood while also warning against its current threats. He begins by following the theme of manhood throughout Scripture. Starting with God’s created order in Genesis, Hawley considers key biblical figures as models of masculinity. Hawley points to Adam, Abraham, Joshua, David, and Solomon as examples and counterexamples of masculinity. 

Drawing from his historical and political background, Hawley also draws a parallel of what he has identified as the greatest historical threat to masculinity: Epicureanism. The Greek philosopher, Epicurus (d. 270 B.C.) believed that humanity ought to live solely for self-pleasure and fulfillment: “Happiness is all that matters, on Epicurus’s view, and this present life is all there is: no immortal soul, no great beyond, none of that” (27). Pointing to modern liberalism, Hawley warns against modern Epicureanism that minimizes manhood and enshrines selfishness with thinking that says, “To be happy, to become authentic, you must become the author of your own self” (41).

Part II of Manhood identifies the biblical titles given to men, while warning against the corresponding Epicurean lies. The Bible calls men to the roles of husband, father, warrior, builder, priest, and king. Each of these roles is presented through examples in Scripture, while modern Epicurean liberalism beguiles “men to forgo leadership responsibility and to pursue self instead” (51). Hawley’s overall argument is that America’s health depends on the spiritual health of men. America will only be great once men turn away from Epicurean liberalism and back to biblical truth: “America’s most urgent need politically is not for this or that piece of legislation. It is for men to embrace the call to character, the call to what Theodore Roosevelt termed, ‘righteousness’” (202).

Critical Interaction

Josh Hawley’s Manhood is an astoundingly unique work from a sitting United States politician. He unashamedly not only exegetes Scripture but also builds an entire theological understanding of masculinity from the biblical narrative. Manhood considers masculinity from a decidedly biblical position and directs men to essential biblical principles. 

Manhood highlights all that is good and necessary about God’s intended design of manhood. Hawley encourages men to a better purpose and calling than culturally accepted selfishness. He calls men to reclaim the goodness of taking responsibility, being leaders, and serving a purpose greater than themselves. The world needs strong men to do good for others, for “We were born, each of us, to spread the light, feeding it on the kindling of our lives. We were born to have the character of a warrior” (126). 

Perhaps the strongest contribution of Hawley’s book is his ability to motivate and inspire men to action. He gives men hope that they were created for a good purpose, to live a meaningful life, and to leave a positive legacy. In a cultural milieu that minimizes strong, biblical masculinity, it is refreshing to hear affirmation of this good calling: “Choose an evil in your life and drive it back. When you retake ground, hold it” (118). Hawley’s book is a helpful resource that points men to the practical roles and functions God has given them. Manhood excels both in warning against cultural threats and lionizing biblical principles for men.

While Manhood is recommended as a practical resource for men, it falls short in one key area: the gospel. Though Hawley lauds Old Testament patriarchs, he misses the greatest demonstration of masculinity in Christ himself. Only twice in the Epilogue does Hawley mention Jesus (208 and 210–211), and only then is he referred to as “Man,” never by name. While Scripture drives Hawley’s case for masculinity, at times he can come across relying too heavily on man’s ability. At multiple points, Hawley comes close to implying God depends on men to accomplish his will. Hawley writes, “Indeed, David’s work makes him a partner with God” (134) and “man brings God to the world” (155). 

Christians are mindful that God does indeed call men to faithfulness, but any human ability is dependent on the Lord’s provision and strength. Men were created for masculine roles as Hawley identifies in the Old Testament patriarchs, but man’s ability to fulfill these callings is solely dependent on God’s faithfulness rather than human dedication. Scripture calls us not to depend on our own strength but instead to trust fully in the Lord (Prov 3:5–6). The biblical calling of godly manhood emanates from Christ’s accomplished work on our behalf (Eph 5:25–33). Biblical masculinity proceeds from the gospel.

Conclusion

Josh Hawley’s Manhood is an impressive book from a politician that points men in the right direction. All men will benefit from following the biblical principles explained in this book. The book is easily readable, filled with enjoyable anecdotes, and helps explain why our culture has revolted against biblical masculinity. I recommend this book as a useful resource to understand the practical applications of biblical manhood. However, discerning readers should note the book’s limitations in failing to apply the gospel. Without God’s redemptive work and strength, our best efforts to reclaim manhood will fall woefully short. Men of all stripes need the gospel to inspire, motivate, and empower their pursuit of masculinity. America’s most pertinent need is for men to treasure Jesus above all else and faithfully follow their biblical calling. What American men need now more than ever is Jesus, the only true and perfect Man.