Endorsements
Brant Hansen manages to be both hilariously funny and deadly serious. The Men We Need is a blast to read, but Brant is decidedly earnest for men to be exactly what God has created us to be and what the world is waiting to see.
Kyle Idleman , bestselling author of Not a Fan and One at a Time
This is not only the book every man needs, its also one every woman should read. In a time when everyone is asking, What does it really mean to be a man? Brant Hansen gives a compelling, insightful, and deeply helpful response. I read this book in one sitting, and it made me nod, laugh out loud, and want to share it with every man and woman I know.
Holley Gerth, Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Powerful Purpose of Introverts
Brant Hansen has done it againthis time with a funny, punchy book on manhood. Full of hard-won wisdom and simple, biblical truths applied across the spectrum of the masculine experience, The Men We Need is the book we need for our confused cultural moment.
Jared C. Wilson , assistant professor of pastoral ministry and author in residence at Midwestern Seminary; author of Love Me Anyway
Brant Hansen is a marvel in this modern world. Rarely do I meet someone with a voice that is equally insightful, comedic, and piercing. I invite you to dive in and experience Brants kingdom-centered, upside-down perspective.
Mike Donehey , recording artist; author of Finding Gods Life for My Will
Read this book and start being awesome. We women are rooting for you.
Lisa Anderson , director of Boundless.org; author of The Dating Manifesto
Brant gives words to feelings we have and purpose that we never considered. I was a young man during an era when Christian masculinity was defined by growing a beard and being one with the wild. Trouble was, I had little wild and only heart. And I still cant grow a beard. This book is written for me and my boys. Its probably written for you and your boys as well. Its for those of us who love Jesus and are discovering that protecting the vulnerable, selflessly loving our family, and showing up for the hurting are evidence of being a man of God. Our world will be a more redemptive place as you rise to the challenge. We all hope you will!
Justin Narducci , president/CEO of CURE International Childrens Hospitals
In a time of chaos, confusion, and even despair, when women and children around the world are as at risk as ever, Brant Hansens brilliant, insightful, funny, and convicting book is not only a breath of sane biblical reason but a balm to the internet-addled soul. The vision of masculinity he sets forth is within the grasp of any man at any stage of life, and his practical and gracious wisdom is enlivening. Im planning to read the book out loud to both my sons, just as soon as I throw their Xbox into the river.
Anne Kennedy, author of Nailed It: 365 Readings for Angry or Worn-Out People
Our societies send very confusing messages on what it means to be a man. Brant turns that all on its head. In his usual winsome style, he gives us a book that is relatable, convicting, and timeless. Im fortunate enough to know Brant and to have been personally challenged by him to be the man I was designed to be. Those who benefit? My wife, my children, my community, and my colleagues. Im excited others are now getting this challenge too. Whether you are in your teens or in those outer years, this book offers course corrections to help us be the manliest of men.
Derek Johnson , head of US Operations & Strategy, International Justice Mission
Employing his singular wit, Brant graciously challenges men to become what our families and our world need us to beprotectors and defenders. I especially recommend this book as a call to action for young men.
Benjamin C. Warf, MD , professor of neurosurgery at Harvard Medical School
The Men We Need is perfectly titled. Because the world is desperate for the men Brant describes. This book gives men a vision for what masculinity really can be: the kind that protects and brings life to everyone around. And somehow Brant manages to be both deeply serious and deeply funny. Once again he hit it out of the park.
Bill Yeargin , CEO, Correct Craft, Inc.
As a marriage and womens counselor, Im deeply aware of the confusion, brokenness, purposelessness, and ongoing sense of failure many men live with. Yet Im equally aware of the distortions, the settling, and the I guess this is the best I can hope for mindset of many of my female clients who are in very difficult, often ungodly marriages or relationships. Brant nails it: We have an epidemic of men who have been shaped and infected by distorted ideas about manhood spun from inside and outside the church. This deadly combination has produced disastrous results, impacting marriages, leadership, parenting, and humanity in general. Brant gives us hope. In his inimitable style of successfully combining profundity and humor, he calls men to understand their role as keeper of the gardenprovider, protector, and unselfishly present. And that is exactly what most women are looking for. This book steps into a massive gap. Its long overdue!
Dr. Virginia Friesen , codirector of Home Improvement Ministry; coauthor of The Marriage App ; author of Raising a Trailblazer
Half Title Page
Title Page
Copyright Page
2022 by Brant Hansen
Published by Baker Books
a division of Baker Publishing Group
PO Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287
www.bakerbooks.com
Ebook edition created 2022
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meansfor example, electronic, photocopy, recordingwithout the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
ISBN 978-1-4934-3404-6
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations labeled ESV are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2016
Scripture quotations labeled NKJV are from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations labeled NLT are from the Holy Bible , New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
The author is represented by the literary agency of The Gates Group.
To protect the privacy of those who have shared their stories with the author, some details and names have been changed.
Baker Publishing Group publications use paper produced from sustainable forestry practices and post-consumer waste whenever possible.
Dedication
Dedicated to all of us guys
who cant bench four hundred pounds.
And to the people
who somehow still love us.
Contents
Endorsements
Half Title Page
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Foreword by Sherri Lynn
A Very Important Introduction
Keeper of the Garden
The Poster
Masculinity Is about Taking Responsibility
We Need You Out Here, Man
A Quick Word about Toxic Passivity
The Ancient Art of Blaming Other People
The Scariest Thing
The Six Decisions That Will Set You Apart