I researched the origin of the man/mouse question and discovered that in some form or another it may go as far back as the mid-1500s. Over time, the expression became a popular means to goad someone into being brave when they are frightened of doing something. Actually, from today’s perspective on gender identity, I see that there could be more to the question than that. In accordance with today’s society of absurd extremes, I suppose I could ask instead if you perceive yourself as a cat, or a wolf or Tinkerbell. I’ve seen the videos on YouTube and Instagram.

Maybe you have chosen to identify as an asexual box of breakfast cereal, like Cap’n Crunch. How are we to address you then? “Hey, how’s it goin’ Captain?” Which almost by implication puts a masculine quality to it. “Are you feeling like an easy snack that goes great with couch time, anytime?” Or I might actually ignore your sensitivities and just call you a fruitcake.

Of course for the sake of satire I’m being a bit facetious. But with the current display of sadly and tragically comedic gender dysphoria, it’s really not that far off. The condition often presents itself by youngsters in schools and even adults in plain view of the public, like some kind of obvious mental disorder. But, because of polite political correctness, the controversy often remains the proverbial elephant in the room.

Dysphoria is defined as a state of dissatisfaction, anxiety, or restlessness. How about adding the word confusion? It makes me think about the song, “Ball of Confusion” released in 1970 by the Motown sensation The Temptations. The lyrics were touted as a bold political statement on the chaos and disorder of their times. Isn’t that interesting? The subtitle was “That’s What the World is Today.” And it still is, over 50 years later.

Perhaps some of these folks are expressing an extreme form of Cosplay just to get attention. Young children are the most prone to fall victim to seeds planted in vulnerable minds by adults with ulterior motives in the identity-confusion culture war. Once you enter the arena of surgical procedures – actually mutilation – and gender transitioning drugs, it becomes serious business, and a very lucrative one to the fringe medical community promoting such choices. That’s when the contra naturam line is crossed from curiosity into irreversible consequences.

Earlier this year, at the confirmation hearing for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, Sen. Marsha Blackburn asked the Supreme Court nominee to define the word “woman.” “I can’t.” Jackson replied. “I’m not a biologist.” Well, neither am I, but any child who’s heard about the birds and the bees should be able to give an appropriate answer.

When a biological male makes an artificial transmutation into the opposite gender, it should be more alarming to women than to men, especially when they intrude into the military or especially the sports world. The element of competitive fairness obviously goes out the window in the celebration of equity.

I’ve heard critiques lately from certain far-left circles about “toxic masculinity.” Their term refers to a subjective interpretation of offensive, harmful beliefs, tendencies, and behaviors allegedly systemic in traditional male roles taken to a dangerous extreme. I will be the first to condemn any man who physically or verbally abuses a woman or child, or a person in authority. Add animal cruelty to the forbidden list. There is no excuse for justifying violent or inappropriate behavior. Period. “How beautiful maleness is,” writes English novelist D.H. Lawrence, “if it finds its right expression.”

But just as fervently I will promote the fact that men need to be appropriately masculine in the exercise of their roles as husbands, fathers, leaders and mentors to a generation of boys who are being feminized when their innate nature is actually to be energetic, adventurous and fearlessly curious about the world and themselves. Boys like to play in the mud and poke a stick in the bonfire. Danger is not in their vocabulary. They are born untamed and will resist every attempt to be anything to the contrary.

Unfortunately, social civility forces them for the rest of their grown-up days to be harmlessly domesticated. That seems to be the goal of the opponents of an authentic male gender which has gradually been deliberately diminished in our modern era.

Things went off the track long ago in Eden when Adam failed in his duty as a protector and in his role as a leader (1Corithians 11:3). He further avoided responsibility by assigning his culpability to Eve. How ironic, because Adam was told by God about the prohibition concerning the forbidden fruit even before Eve was created (Genesis 2:16-17). And so the passivity and blame syndrome has continued down through every generation since. Thus for all of us men, it has become a struggle to reconnect with God’s original design for manhood and our purpose to reflect the image of our Creator.

Let me wrap this up with an honest self-revelation: I’ve never envisioned myself as William Wallace of Braveheart fame. I’ve never been bass fishing in the Canadian wilderness, nor shot a firearm, even at tin cans. I don’t care to throw hatchets at a target at a men’s church gathering. I went camping once and hated it. I don’t wear camo. My idea of roughing it is a hotel that stops room service at 11pm. I do however write poetry and consider myself a spiritual warrior, as did the biblical King David, who, although flawed, is identified as a man after God’s own heart. So, besides my genitalia, what credentials should I present for evidence of my own manhood? 

It’s not confusing at all. Real masculinity does no harm to the innocent. It builds up. Real men rejoice with those who rejoice, and mourn with those who mourn. He is loyal, leads courageously, always puts the other person first, is respectful and responsible. He is a man of action, not mere words. Authentic men never grumble or complain; he feels pain so intensely that at times it can be crippling, yet he keeps going, pressing forward for the family, for the friend, for the tribe. He is ready to lay down his life, not for a cause, but for people. It’s non-negotiable. He is devoted to his Christ, the one and only model to imitate and follow.

I found this quote quite affirming to such a perspective: “We do not admire the man of timid peace. We admire the man who embodies victorious effort; the man who never wrongs his neighbor, who is prompt to help a friend, but who has those virile qualities necessary to win in the stern strife of actual life.” – Theodore Roosevelt, 1920

Obviously this essay was addressed to my male readers, but I don’t want to slight the ladies. Maybe you have a husband, son, dad, a boyfriend who could benefit from reading this. Do them a favor and pass it on.

I leave you with this admonition from Paul writing to the church in Rome: “I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God — this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Rom. 12:1-2)

P.S. Here are several outstanding easy-read publications I highly recommend to study these issues further:
Mansfield’s Book of Manly Men, by Stephen Mansfield
Wild At Heart, by John Eldridge
The Barbarian Way, by Erwin McManus
The Warrior Poet Way, by John Lovell, and finally (Don’t let the title scare you)
I Asked God to Kill Me, by my friend and spiritual comrade, Jim Motz