Seven Men and the Secret of Their Greatness by Eric Metaxas

Seven Men and the Secret of Their Greatness by Eric Metaxas

What makes a man great? This question challenges most people, especially today when the idea of a masculine role model is generally frowned upon, if not completely ignored because masculinity is supposed to be toxic. Such an assumption is based on false examples of manhood--the bully, the egoist, the muscle man, etc. Eric Metaxas argues that positive role models of manhood do exist and are important to culture (not just ours, but any culture). Examples of how to behave are sorely needed in an age that idolizes pop stars and self-centered politicians. Metaxas gives short biographies of seven men who truly embody the strength of character and selfless serving that role models should have.

Many of these men are not perfect men but achieved a level of greatness by their choices and their actions. George Washington's military career started rather disastrously--he basically started the French and Indian War. But as he grew in leadership, he came to the point where he would refuse to be king of the newly-free states of America. He voluntarily rejected great power for the sake of the people of the new nation. Charles Colson started out working and scheming for Richard Nixon. He came to Christian faith and turned his life around, creating a ministry that helps to reform prisoners. He had direct experience of prison life due to Watergate and he realized the desperate needs of the imprisoned. He chose a different life and became a role model.

Other men in this book went through great trials. Pope John Paul II was a young and vibrant man who, in the last years of his life, suffered greatly (and publicly) from Parkinson's disease. He became a great witness to the value of all human life, even the weak and the sick. Jackie Robinson had to run a gauntlet of hate and unbelievable mistreatment as the first man of color to play major league baseball. He chose to be strong enough not to fight back. His example opened up opportunities for others. Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a Lutheran minister who fought against the Nazi government that oppressed so many people in Germany and throughout Europe. Bonhoeffer eventually wound up in a concentration camp where he died. Great trials make great men when they choose to act selflessly.

The book is very inspiring and makes me want to read more about these great men. Metaxas has written longer biographies of William Wilberforce (who fought against the slave trade in early 1800s England) and Dietrich Bonhoeffer. I will probably read those soon.

Highly recommended.