It's been a while between issues, and this one is brief, but I want to bring to your attention the most recent episodes of the Got a Minute Podcast, hosted by Rick Lusk and Larson Hicks. Both of these episodes have quite a bit to say as to how we should be understanding our current cultural situation, what we could expect, and how to faithfully move forward.

25. Dr. Joe Rigney on Theonomy, Leadership and Courage

Apple Podcast
Spotify
YouTube

26. James R. Wood on Winsomeness, Classical Liberalism, Kuyperianism, and more!

Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube

Joe and James were both speakers at this past weekend's Trinity Conference in Birmingham, and when those talks are made available, they're well worth listening to as well.

Grace and peace,

Joe

And then all the host of Rohan burst into song, and they sang as they slew, for the joy of battle was on them, and the sound of their singing that was fair and terrible came even to the City.

I listened to two recent episodes of the The Life on Target Podcast that I thought were especially good, and wanted to bring to your attention sooner than later.

The first is Episode 52, which is an interview with Dr. Ben Merkle.

The second is Episode 53, which is an interview with Matt Beaudreau.

While they both speak to education to varying degrees, they also both contain excellent counsel for fathers leading their homes.

The interview with Ben Merkle gave me quite a bit to think about, and may warrant a second listen.

Grace and peace,

Joe

And then all the host of Rohan burst into song, and they sang as they slew, for the joy

Before it's officially Autumn on Thursday, I thought I'd get out a Summer Edition of Men of the Mark.

Two books recommendations that I'd like to make, which pair very well together are Anthony Esolen's No Apologies: Why Civilization Depends on the Strength of Men and It's Good to Be a Man: A Handbook for Godly Masculinity by Michael Foster and Dominic Bnonn Tennant. Esolen is easily one of my favorite modern writers, and the literary and historical insights he provides are superb as always. Foster and Tennant offer a straightforward biblical and covenantal understanding of masculinity that provides helpful, practical perspectives on being a man.

I continue to listen to the Life on Target Podcast, hosted by Nathan Spearing, and I've probably gleaned something from each episode, but here are few that standout: May 27: Building Strong Brands Through Hustle and Persistence with Darren Doane; June 3: Fostering Physical and Mental Toughness in Kids with Rob Sentz; June 24: Intentional Family Rhythms and Being Rooted in Community with Daniel Grothe; July 15: Building Bulletproof Businesses through Christian Values with David Benham (this one was especially interesting); September 2: Growing a Family Culture of Healthy Habits for Lifelong Resilience with Rachek Beck (a good one to share with your wife).

Two episodes that I found particularly fascinating on the Jocko Podcast were Episode 332: Influence & Ownership Over Your Physiological & Psychological Being with Andrew Huberman. This has some "common grace insights" about how we function and think; further solidifying the biblical truth that we're fearfully and wonderfully made. The first of the five hours is basically Huberman's story, and then four hours of him talking about his areas of expertise. Episode 340: Failure Isn't Final, It's Necessary. Becoming a Better Human, with Tim Kennedy is about six hours long, and it's quite a story. Language and content warning! This isn't for children and women. It's my understanding that Kennedy is a professing believer, though that isn't addressed in the interview.

Finally, as I'm nearing the end of the Lord of the Rings with my two youngest children, I'm reminded anew of what a remarkable story it is, and of Tolkien's insightful brilliance as an author. We've been listening to them in audio format, narrated by Andy Serkis, which is tremendous, but I also find myself wishing I could stop and underline and make notations of quote after quote that conveys a pertinent insight regarding who we need to be as men today or of the kind of faith to which we're called as believers.

If you're new to the list and this is your first issue, and you'd like Nos. 1 and 2, just drop me a line and let me know. If you'd like to be removed from this list, I can accommodate you on that front as well.

If you've come across any books, podcasts, or other resources that you find especially good, please don't hesitate to recommend them to me.

Cheers,

Joe

This issue of Men of the Mark is pretty straightforward. Last time I made mention of Nathan Spearing, who is a deacon at a sister church in NC. He's started a podcast called "Life on Target." I've gleaned something from every episode thus far, but the last few have been particularly good. He can be found on iTunes, Google podcasts, and Spotify, but here are some direct links from his website.

Episode 9: Elite Mental Performance for Everyday Life

Straight Talk for Dads: Raising Sons in a Pornographic Age This episdode is an interview with Pastor Toby Sumpter (which you may have already seen online somewhere), and while it is quite good for dads, it's also good for wives and moms. Early on in the podcast Toby sets some foundational principles of child training that are especially helpful/good reminders.

Episode 10: Virginity, Porn, and the Standard for Sex

Episode 11:Women: Creators of Infinite Compounding Value

If there are resources you're reading/listening to that you think would be valuable, feel free to pass them along. Also, if you have friends or family that might benefit from receiving these emails, I'm happy to add them to the list.

Finally, If you're new to this list, and haven't received the first two emails, shoot me a message and I'll send them over.

Cheers,

Joe

Here are a few more resources that I've found particularly helpful over the past months.

Books:

To Be As God: A Study of Modern Thought Since the Marquis de Sade by RJ Rushdoony

Rushdoony's hermeneutic can be a bit flat when interpreting biblical texts, but his assessment of various worldviews and how they affect society is "prophetic" in this book, which was published in 2003. I gleaned quite a bit from this work. It is a helpful resource explaining how we've gotten to this point, and demonstrates what Christians need to understand and how they should think regarding modern thought.

Websites and Podcasts:

At Fight Laugh Feast I was able to catch up with Nathan Spearing. He's a deacon at Sandhills Presbyterian Church (joining the CREC later this month), and all around good dude. He's begun a ministry/business called Warriors Tending Gardens, which also links to his direct website spearing.co He has blog posts and other links worth your perusal. Nate is advocating some of the same principles promoted by Jocko Willink and Jordan Peterson, but Nate's application rings truer since he's a Christian with sound theology.

Nate was interviewed on the Virtus podcast, hosted by Bo Hutchens, where he tells his story, and what he's presently pursuing.

A couple of other Virtus podcasts that I've also found quite good:

Freedom or Slavery - Your Choice Lessons from the Book of Proverbs

Virtus with Dr. Glenn Sunshine His instruction regarding the definitions and distinction of liberty and license are enlightening.

In a slightly different direction, Jocko Willink and David Cooper offer their assessment of what took place in the withdrawal from Afghanistan. Here's a YouTube link for the episode: Unraveling 23: Unmitigated Disaster or here for iTunes Podcast (if the iTunes link doesn't work, you can search for the episode by title). *Language warning if you listen to podcasts in the presence of younger ears, and don't want to explain to your children yet what certain words mean.

All of the above podcasts are available on iTunes, and probably other platforms, too. I listen to podcasts during my commute home from school or when running errands, so my phone is my primary source for listening.

Cheers,

Joe

Greetings.

You are receiving this email because you are a member of or regularly attend St. Mark Reformed Church, or have some level of acquaintanceship with the congregation (or me).

"Men of the Mark" is a new group and ministry of St. Mark with the idea of providing resources and fellowship to encourage and develop biblical, godly men. With the attack upon masculinity within our culture, and even from some sectors of the church itself, having a clearer understanding of what it means to be a man and what that entails is that much more important.

The group’s name, Men of the Mark, comes from two sources. First, and obviously, it has ties to our name, St. Mark Reformed Church. Second, for the Riders of Rohan, or the Riders of the Mark, warriors found in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. These horsemen are described as true-hearted, generous in thought and deed, bold, wise, known for the singing of many songs, and for feasting in their Golden Hall. Literature has the ability to inspire us to true virtue through the characters about which we read, and I trust the soldiers of the Rohirrim may serve that purpose for us.

In its initial stage, the group will be a means for me to pass along articles, podcasts, and books for your edification that address various aspects of masculinity or pressing issues of the day of which we, as men, need to be aware. Understand that just because I recommend a particular resource does not mean that I agree with every detail. Sometimes I do. Other times I do not, but find points made to be thought provoking and helpful nonetheless. I am considering a possible online discussion group of some form or fashion, and we may even plan an in-person men’s gathering for later this year. If there are books, articles or podcasts that you have found particularly helpful, please let me know, and I may include them in future issues.

If for some reason you do not wish to be part of this group, just send me an email and I can take you off of the distribution list. Also, if you know someone who would be interested in being a part of this group, you are welcome to make recommendations, but know that I reserve the right of refusal. For the time being, please keep the emails private. At some point a Men of the Mark page may be added to the church website to which you will be able to direct others who are not part of the group. However, do not hesitate to share the links to resources, especially your wives. This isn’t Calvin’s G.R.O.S.S. Club (from Calvin & Hobbes) and there will be plenty of content that women will also appreciate.

Without further ado, below are a number of resources from which I have especially benefited over the past years and months. I make use of Apple Podcasts, so you may need to find other carriers if you do not use that application. I will try to provide links to sources with varying options for listening as I am able.

Christus Victor,

Joe

Podcasts:

Hard Men: Masculinity and the Church, Pastor Rich Lusk

The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast: Jocko Willink (links on the Jordan Peterson website weren't working properly for some reason, so you may need to manually look for Episode 13 from Season 4, dated April 5, 2021.)

Hard Men: Why Pietism is Destroying America, P. Andrew Sandlin

Theopolis: Why We Should Sing and Chant the Psalms, Brian Moats

Hard Men: Interview with Bnonn Tennant from It's Good to Be a Man

The Art of Manliness: The Spartan Regime

Books:

Solomon Says by Mark Horne (not just for young men)

Out of the Ashes: Rebuilding American Culture by Anthony Esolen

Articles/Websites:

Knowing Your Cultural Marxism by P. Andrew Sandlin