An interview with Robert Beckford and Rachel Starr

We speak to the editors of Behold the Men, publishing this month, about this collection on theologies of men and masculinities.

____

Hello Robert and Rachel. What inspired you to tackle the topic of masculinities?

We live in a divided world, in which differences of all kinds are exploited by those with something to gain from conflict, crisis, chaos. Whether within our church structures, or in the political sphere, we see how gender – alongside race, colour, sexuality and other identity markers – impacts on status, role and allegiance. Our book attempts to make visible the harmful impact of fixed gender roles and relationships, especially for men, whose gender is often unexamined.

Over the past fifty years, some churches have begun (falteringly) to move away from oppressive beliefs about women’s identity, value and roles. Yet, there has been very little critical reflection on what it means to be a man within church life. Our book seeks to encourage men to move beyond the restrictive, harmful models of masculinity that continue to dominate much of British society, culture and, especially, church life. We explore questions such as: What kind of father should God be? What does it mean to be a male follower of Jesus? And, how do male bodies fit within the body of the Church?

You deliberately use the term ‘masculinities’, in the plural, suggesting presumably the way that cultures, ethnicities, sexualities and other factors can affect how masculinity is understood. Can you talk about the variables there, and how you explore this in the book?

The decision to use the term ‘masculinities’ is grounded in recognising that masculinity is neither ahistorical nor universal but somewhat contingent on factors such as culture, ethnicity, politics, and age. Unlike a singular notion of ‘masculinity,’ which implies a fixed, essential, or unchanging quality, the plural form acknowledges the diverse and fluid expressions of masculinity that emerge across different contexts. Masculinities are shaped by historical moments and cultural settings, demonstrating that what is considered masculine in one society or era may differ significantly in another. For example, in African Caribbean cultures, age plays a critical role in how masculinities are understood and performed, as expectations for young Black men often diverge from those for older men. All of which underlines the variations that challenge the idea of universal masculine identity. 

Behold the Men brings together more than a dozen contributors: poets and priests, thinkers and theologians, artists and activists. We hope that this diversity of experiences, approaches and styles helps make visible the many different ways of being a man of faith today. 

It is widely observed that women tend to be more religious and that the gender ratio in a lot of mainstream churches can skew female. How (if at all) have you seen this reflected in discussions of masculinity and Church, and what is your reaction to this?

There has been a great deal of discussion of the perceived lack of men within (some) churches. In response to the so-called ‘feminization of the Church,’ some churches seek to attract (white, straight, young) men who are seen to bring status, wealth and power. To do so, they might develop separatist men’s spirituality groups or reinforce men’s authority in the church and home. In short, such churches risk doubling down on problematic, toxic models of masculinity, instead of promoting healthier, more inclusive models of discipleship for men.

Is there a sense in which Jesus being incarnate as a man is a major influence on Christian concepts of masculinity (or would you say it’s more often the other way round)?

For sure. Jesus’ incarnation as a man challenges dominant cultural norms and offers a transformative relational, inclusive, and other-oriented model of masculinity. Who Jesus was and is, and how we interpret him, are profoundly shaped by the social and cultural lenses we bring to our reading of his life. The meeting of these horizons leads to understandings of Jesus’ masculinity that are not fixed but dynamic, intersecting with questions of power, vulnerability, identity and justice.

Is there anything in this book that you think would surprise people?

We wrote this book to fill what we saw as a significant gap – a resource to help men reflect critically on their experiences of faith and life. What we discovered in the process of writing and editing the book was that many of our observations – about the need for men to connect to their bodies and emotions, to share and support each other as friends, to bring their vulnerabilities as well as their strengths into prayer and worship – were present in existing discussions about liturgy, discipleship, mission, and so on. A big part of what we have done in the book is highlight and connect these existing insights and themes.

Who would you like to reach with this book, or who do you think needs to read it?

Behold the Men is for everyone interested in exploring various viewpoints on masculinity, gender, and identity. It speaks to readers who are curious and ready to be challenged and inspired - those willing to reflect deeply and engage in transformative growth for themselves and the communities within which they work or minister. Whether you are a scholar, practitioner, or someone seeking to understand better how masculinity shapes our world, this book offers a unique and engaging journey.

We have made the text accessible, experiential, conversational, and confessional in tone to invite readers into an embodied, dialogical engagement. This approach does not mean that we shy away from complexity or vulnerability but seek to meet readers where they are while pushing them toward new horizons of understanding and action - it’s an invitation to rethink masculinity in honest, compassionate, and deeply personal ways. We hope this makes the book an essential read for anyone committed to fostering healthier, more inclusive relationships, communities, and ministries.

Thanks very much Robert and Rachel.

___

Behold the Men is available to pre-order now via our website.

Dr Robert Beckford is a scholar-activist whose work has significantly influenced the intersection of theology, 'race' and culture in Black religions of the Black Atlantic. He is a BAFTA Award-winning producer of television and radio documentaries, and has also worked as a music producer, including of the 'The Jamaican Bible Remix'.

Dr Rachel Starr is Director of Studies at the Queen’s Foundation for Ecumenical Theological Education in Birmingham, where she teaches biblical studies and feminist contextual theologies. She is co-author (with David Holgate) of the SCM Studyguide to Biblical Hermenuetics.