This review is part of the ‘Good Books’ series we are running over the coming months highlighting wonderful books which share God’s wisdom.

Jeffrey Hemmer’s Man Up! is an excellent resource for building up biblical masculinity in the Church. If you’re looking for a how-to guide to being a man, you’ll be tempted to skip to last few chapters of the book. But Pastor Jeff wisely begins by laying a strong biblical foundation, exploring man’s creation, fall and redemption through Jesus Christ, the true God who is also true Man.

Hemmer also has his eye on the culture and points out not only the extreme caricatures found on the left and right of politics, but also the murky middle in which most men find themselves. When exploring the cultural roots of our current crisis, he refuses to put the blame on others but urges men to take full responsibility for their own failings, regardless of the circumstances, and to look to Christ for restoration.

When Hemmer finally gets around to giving advice, he delivers a truckload. He takes Adam, Jesus and our heavenly Father as prime examples of what is means to be a man, a husband and a father. He gives practical instructions too, and notes the pitfalls and the extremes, helping men to keep to the straight and narrow.