Christian Men and Leadership: Why Strength Without Love Fails in the Home

What does it mean to be a man? Does biblical masculinity align with today’s "alpha male" ideology? Is the Andrew Tate brand of masculinity something Christian men should embrace? Or is there a more biblical understanding of Christian manhood, one that rejects both hyper-masculinity and the passivity that has crept into modern culture?

In this episode of the Straight Truth Podcast, host Dr. Josh Philpot and Dr. Richard Caldwell take on the cultural discussion surrounding Christian manhood, biblical headship, and love and leadership. They examine the tensions Christian men face in a world that either seeks to feminize them or pressures them to adopt an aggressive, self-centered view of masculinity.

Dr. Caldwell helps unpack the Bible’s teaching on Christian husbands, male leadership in the home, and what it means to lead with humility. He contrasts the alpha male vs. biblical manhood debate with Scripture, pointing out that leadership in the Christian home is not about dominance, but about Christlike leadership—a self-sacrificial love that reflects how Christ loved the church (Ephesians 5).

Is Andrew Tate’s View of Masculinity Biblical?
Many young men today, disillusioned with feminism and the cultural rejection of masculinity, are turning to figures like Andrew Tate for guidance on what it means to be a man. Tate and others in the manosphere promote a vision of masculinity that emphasizes dominance, self-promotion, and material success. But is this truly biblical?

Dr. Caldwell explains how Christian masculinity is not defined by arrogance, control, or brute strength, but by servant leadership modeled after Christ. He discusses how many men today misuse biblical passages about submission in marriage to justify authoritarian leadership, while neglecting the Bible’s clear commands for husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the church (Ephesians 5:25).

Biblical Headship vs. Cultural Extremes
The conversation highlights two major distortions of biblical manhood in today’s world:

The Passive Husband – Men who, in response to feminism, have abdicated their Christian husband leadership, failing to lead, protect, and provide for their families.
The Hyper-Masculine Alpha Male – Men who, in rejecting the culture’s attack on masculinity, swing too far in the other direction, becoming authoritarian, harsh, and self-centered in their leadership.
Dr. Caldwell warns that Christian men and culture have often been shaped more by worldly ideologies than by Scripture. Whether it’s an emasculated, passive leadership or an oppressive, heavy-handed approach, both fail to reflect the biblical love in marriage that God commands. Instead, the Bible calls men to lead with humility, putting the needs of their families before their own desires and ambitions.

What Does Christian Leadership Look Like?
So what does Christian manhood and responsibility truly look like? Dr. Caldwell explains that leadership in the home isn’t about exerting control, but about faithfulness, selflessness, and sacrificial love. True biblical leadership means:

Loving your wife in a way that reflects Christ’s love for the church.
Providing and protecting without resorting to dominance or manipulation.
Rejecting worldly definitions of masculinity that focus on wealth, power, and control.
Embracing humility and grace, leading through servanthood rather than selfish ambition.
He challenges men to ask themselves: Are you leading by sacrifice? Are you taking the colder side of the hill? Are you putting yourself second for the good of your family?

Rejecting the World’s Definition of Masculinity
The podcast also addresses the rise of feminism and Christianity and how some Christian men have reacted to cultural shifts by adopting an aggressive, overbearing approach to marriage and leadership. Dr. Caldwell explains that while the Bible does teach male headship, it does not condone the alpha male mentality that some have adopted in response to cultural pressures.

Instead of embracing worldly models of masculinity—whether passive or hyper-aggressive—Christian men are called to reflect the character of Christ. The biblical model of manhood rejects both extremes and seeks to honor God in the home, in marriage, and in the church.

The Role of the Church in Teaching Biblical Manhood
Dr. Caldwell also warns against seeking guidance from YouTube influencers instead of the local church.