Disparaging Young Christian Men Who Admire SEAL Team 6
The Allure of SEAL Team 6 and Christian Masculinity
The admiration some young Christian men have for SEAL Team 6, an elite U.S. Navy special operations unit, raises questions about the intersection of faith, masculinity, and cultural icons. This phenomenon can be understood by examining biblical teachings on masculinity, the historical context of Christian attitudes toward martial virtues, and the role of cultural influencers.
The Bible provides guidance on masculinity, particularly in the pastoral epistles. Titus 2:6 exhorts younger men to be "sober-minded" [2]. This instruction is part of a broader discussion on the characteristics and behaviors expected of Christians, including men. The emphasis on sobriety and self-control reflects a broader biblical theme of living a virtuous life, one that is not swayed by external influences or passions.
Historically, Christianity has had a complex relationship with martial virtues. Early Christian writers often critiqued the violence and spectacle of Roman culture. For example, the early Christian text "On the Public Shows" criticizes the pagan practices and moral decay associated with public entertainment [3]. However, this critique did not necessarily extend to all forms of martial or military service. The early Christian apologist Tertullian, while critical of certain aspects of Roman culture, acknowledged the compatibility of military service with Christian faith under certain conditions.
The appeal of SEAL Team 6 to young Christian men may be related to ideals of courage, discipline, and sacrifice. These virtues are not inherently at odds with Christian teachings. In fact, the New Testament encourages believers to endure hardship and to be faithful in the face of adversity [1]. The admiration for SEAL Team 6 may reflect a desire to embody these virtues in a tangible way.
Different Christian traditions have varying views on the relationship between faith and martial virtues. Some traditions emphasize the importance of pacifism and non-violence, while others see military service as a legitimate vocation for Christians. The Baptist/Reformed tradition, represented by commentators like John Gill, emphasizes the importance of personal holiness and the pursuit of godliness, which can include virtues like courage and self-discipline [4].
The Patristic tradition offers insights into the early Christian understanding of masculinity and virtue. Writers like Augustine and Clement of Alexandria discussed the importance of inner virtues over external appearances or achievements. For example, Augustine's exposition on Psalm 54 highlights the contrast between the "two sorts" of people, those who hope in the world and those who hope in God [5]. This dichotomy underscores the Christian call to prioritize spiritual virtues over worldly ones.
In Acts 5:6, the term "young men" refers to active members of the early Christian community who were involved in the burial of Ananias and Sapphira. Commentators like Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown interpret these "young men" as volunteers who took on subordinate tasks within the community, illustrating the value placed on active service and responsibility [6].
The admiration for SEAL Team 6 among some young Christian men can be seen as an expression of a broader desire for meaningful action and service. While this admiration may sometimes be criticized for glorifying violence or militarism, it can also be understood as a manifestation of ideals that are not inherently incompatible with Christian teachings. The key issue is how these ideals are interpreted and lived out in the context of faith.
Sources
- Hebrews “Hebrews 6:16 (Tyndale) — Men verely sweare by him that is greater then them selves and an othe to confyrme the thynge ys amonge them an ende of all stryfe.”
- Titus “Titus 2:6 (YLT) — The younger men, in like manner, be exhorting to be sober-minded;”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 5: Hippolytus, Cyprian, Caius, Novatian — ON THE PUBLIC SHOWS.[1] (part 8): cannot yet contemplate, he has that beauty of the world to look upon and admire.[3] He may gaze upon the sun's rising, and again on its setting, as it brings round in their mutual changes days and nights; the moon's orb, designating in its waxings and warnings the courses of the seasons; the troops of shining stars, and those which glitter from on high with extreme mobility,--their members divided through the changes of the entire year, and the days themselves with the nights distributed into hourly periods; th”
- 1 Timothy (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Timothy 4:11: These things command and teach. What are to be commanded, command, and what are to be taught, teach; command to refuse and reject all profane and fabulous doctrines, and exhort to the exercise of true godliness, and teach the profitableness of that, and declare the promises made unto it, and assert the truth and acceptableness of them; command, order, and encourage believers to labour and suffer reproach for the sake of Christ, and his Gospel, in hope of enjoying the said promises, and teach them to trust in the God of their lives, and the Saviour of all men; and w”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 8: Augustine — Exposition on Psalms — PSALM LIV.[5] (part 6): "Blessed the people whereof the Lord is its God." Out of this affection this prayer[5] is being sent forth into the ears of the Lord, when it is said, "for aliens have risen up against me." 7. "And mighty men have sought after my soul." For in a new manner, my brethren, they would destroy the race of holy men, and the race of them that abstain from hoping in this world, all they that have hope in this world. Certainly commingled they are, certainly together they live. Very much to one another are opposed these two sorts: t”
- Acts (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Acts 5:6: the young men--some of the younger and more active members of the church, not as office-bearers, nor coming forward now for the first time, but who probably had already volunteered their services in making subordinate arrangements. In every thriving Christian community such volunteers may be expected, and will be found eminently useful.”