A good opinion piece always comes from an eddy in a cultural stream wishing to move against the current. I live in the great Colenbrander hall, third east respectively. The essence of this dorm is “manly things *grunt *grunt.” We have gym bros, communal showers, profanities echoing down the ward at all hours, and of course, we have football. Soli deo gloria.
You could pass us by and say it’s dudes being dudes in that place, but I think there is something deeper here. A deeper worship of self, of the mini warlord within that wants to conquer everything. With Stuart Hall on campus this past week I have been pushed to question what god our consumption of media and sport is worshipping. I have been convinced to think that it is a god of power and violence.
On Sundays I listen to the oohs and ahs of big hits. We smile and jump about as a person lays unconscious on the field. A martyr to the modern-day gladiator crowd. Who does this praise? The rest of the days I listen to screams and insults strung together through videogame headsets. Big men they are, so strong and noble in their Fortnite craft. If all we do is an act of worship then I see that anger, quick tempers, power and violence are on the throne.
I have spent this school year working at a family crisis center for youth in Sioux City. I have seen where this path leads. The high appraisal of power and violence will not end with you. It pushes forward to abuse, homicide, alcoholism, assault etc. It leaves kids with no other knowledge besides the pain and anger given to them by parents who were unintentionally worshipping a false sense of power and dominion. What we consume and what we believe about it matters. What we allow our power-hungry temper to get away with matters. What we value matters. Echoing Stuart Hall, you will go down the path where your feet are pointed.
With the risk of losing my man card, I present my opinion as this: I think you should submit yourself to the heart of Christ by prioritizing gentleness. The God-Man Jesus was overwhelmingly gentle. He focused on ministering to the poor, widowed, orphaned, sick and outcast. He invited all to come to him, especially those who were weak and hurting. He even failed to be the powerful messiah many expected him to be. He came with gentleness and taught a radical way of living with grace and love.
And hold on, cowboy. Before we yell “Jesus flipped tables!” Yes, we cannot ignore this story from the gospels. It is a prime example of Jesus advocating for those who had little social influence. He was angered by people being taken advantage of and for Gentiles being barred from their space of worship. However, to quickly cite this passage as evidence for personal fits of temper is to cite the Lord’s righteous anger in vain. This story does not support the line of curses you just hurled at your television because the referee missed a call putting your favorite team to the disadvantage.
My thoughts should not be mistaken as pro-passivity or weakness. I am all for self-confidence, strong and steady behavior. Lift weights, love football and appreciate good form tackling. My encouragement is that you seek to engage the world with a perspective of gentleness. Hold the hearts of fellow humans with the same gentleness that Christ holds yours. Be a soul that embraces others like a mug of hot chocolate, especially when the world is as cold as it is today.
