The Four Pillars (A Man and His Roots)

This post is about Chapter 3 "The Four Pillars (A Man and His Roots)." from "Tender Warrior" by Stu Weber.

Stu starts this chapter with the statement that the Bible is the owners manual for your masculinity.  This is what the Creator had in mind.  Stu then introduces the concept of the four pillars. 

Four Pillars:

King	Visionary and care taker, he provides order, mercy and justice
Warrior	Equipped to battle and be a protector / defender.  He provides a protective shield, he defends, stands between and guards
Mentor	A teaching heart.  He models, explains and wants to train others
Friend	A loving care giving, compassionate heart.  A commitment maker and promise keeper.

A good warrior is also a sensitive lover, a “Tender Warrior.”   This "Tender Warrior" is in essence “every man’s purpose, every women’s dream, and every child's hope.”

Stu then switches gears a bit and introduces the concept that “Masculinity means Initiation.” At his core a man is an initiator - a “piercer”, one who penetrates, moves forward, advances toward the horizon, one who leads.  At the core of masculinity is initiation, the “pro-vision” of direction, security, stability and connection.  Stu adds a quote, “a compass without a needle is not a compass, a man without initiative is not a man.”

To be masculine is to take initiative; to provide direction, security, stability and order. To lead, to head, to husband.  A man's role is to take the lead in providing, protecting, mentoring and befriending.  This comes down to the caring for and development of our; mates, our children and ourselves.

Stu then takes us back in the Bible, into Genesis and shows us how God had set things up initially.   In the garden of Eden, Adam was to have dominion, to provide order and supervision, to look out for it. He was to provide for his helpmate, to stand before her and the evil that was there.  Adam was to teach his wife what God had taught him.  Adam was to cleave to his wife in the most intimate of friendships.

Based on this, here’s some questions to leave you with:

In speaking about Man and His Roots, Stu introduced the concepts of four pillars (King, Warrior, Mentor and Friend) and how they are essential to the way God designed man. Which is easiest and which is hardest to live out (King, Warrior, Mentor and Friend)?

In speaking about Man and His Roots, Stu also made the statement that “Masculinity Means Initiation.” He then makes the statement “A compass without a needle is not a compass, a man without initiative is not a man.” In general, what do you think culture or the world would think about this statement?    What you do think about this?

Feel free to post comments or email with questions and your thoughts.