Alpha Male, Beta Male, Christos Male
Are you an alpha male? Such a thing is a pretty common idea. When I entered the term into Google all sorts of results told me how to be one in ten easy steps. Or, ten simple signs I wasn't one. Then there were a couple links that said such a thing is just a myth.
A Psychology Today article that was actually helpful also popped up in the results. It too asked whether such a thing existed. The writer pointed out how in animal groups/packs/murders, "every member has a place in the hierarchy." This does not work out as easily with humans, because, "we belong to more than one social circle--a man who may be a custodian by day may be a superstar DJ by night." Point being, we do not simply have one group/pack/murder we belong to so it's too complicated to have an alpha in the order.
The writer instead argues what is commonly referred to as "alpha male" is actually "social dominance." She writes, "Studies have demonstrated that socially dominant men hold sway with many women, and can invoke feelings of inferiority among men."
It's important (and scientifically so) to note that what is referred to as "alpha male" in the animal kingdom is not entirely translatable into humankind. However, the term does mean something, even if it's not totally accurate. We can easily think of men who impose themselves into situations. Sometimes they are just natural leaders willing to lead, other times it's a clear overcompensation of someone who has no idea what he is doing, but wants to appear confident in his ignorance. So for our sake, an alpha male is going to mean the broad concept of a dominant male.
The term has certainly found a home in alt-right homes in an attempt to fight back against PC culture--the boundless boogeyman that justifies anything. And while there are very legitimate gripes about societal disregard for manhood and masculinity, the push back from the alt-right compounds matters by playing down to stereotypes. Over the last couple years we have all seen young men whooping and hollering in a display of aggression (or something) at rallies and such.
Common descriptors for alpha males in many of these websites I examined include: confident, competitive, mentally tough, and strong body language. These seem pretty straight forward, and none of them are bad. Keep in mind that most of these sites are trying to put a positive spin on alpha males. Still, there is an underlying theme of aggression in these and other characteristics. Again, I think aggression is a natural instinct in men (unlike what radical feminists say), but it's necessary to understand and positively channel that aggression instead of putting it out on display in attempt to impose oneself over "weaker" men (unlike what the alt-right demonstrate).
On the flipside is the beta male. Initially the term was used as an insult to put down seemingly weaker males. Using this word implies the person is emasculated. This term was perpetuated by the same folks who had a grand time calling everyone cucks during the 2016 presidential election. The term is a put down because if the speaker is an alleged alpha he is trying to impose himself on someone else, directly calling out the other individual as a lesser male (beta).
Some have tried to flip the term and make it a badge of honor. A Hollywood Reporter cover promoting the TV show Silicon Valley plastered the headline, "Triumph of the Beta Males." Much like alt-right men seek alpha male status in reaction to an emasculated and uber-feminized society, some of the progressive left seek beta male status in reaction to the alpha male obsession. Hopefully you're noticing a trend: All of this is reactionary.
It should be obvious that the Christian male ought to reject a life that would neatly fit into either the idea of an alpha male or a beta male. Rather, we must seek the status of a Christos male. Jesus alone is our example of what masculinity must be.
The problem with interpreting masculinity from Jesus is that he demonstrates more aspects of humanity than anyone else can. This is probably because he is also God. If you want Jesus to be the poster boy for alpha males, then point to him cleansing the temple in Mark 11 (not Luke 19, as that is the beta version). Jesus overturns tables and drives folks off with whips. Very alpha of him.
Or, point to Matthew 23 when he scolds the pharisees. Jesus calls them hypocrites six times as well as blind five times (including "blind fools"). He adds in "whitewashed tombs" and "brood of vipers" to go along with calling them murderers. Like a wolf challenging the leader of the pack, Jesus is clearly an alpha male attacking the authority and self-righteousness of the pharisees.
Yet on the other hand, Jesus consistently placed himself in the role of a servant. For centuries (and even today) Jewish leaders read the prophecies about the suffering servant believing these passages were about the Jewish people. Chief among such prophecy is Isaiah 53. It reads, in part:
Jesus also preached the role of a servant. In Mark 9:33-35, he addressed an argument his disciples were having over who was the greatest disciple. Jesus tells them, "If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all" (v. 35b). It does not get more beta than that. Jesus tells his followers they must humble themselves and take on the lowly place of a servant. Not just a servant to one's master, but a servant of all.
Jesus also exhibited the role of a servant. The night of his betrayal and arrest, Jesus humbled himself as a servant to wash his disciples feet. John very deliberately describes what happened:
Yet here's the thing: Jesus is more than alpha, and he is more than beta; he is Christos. Christos is the Greek precursor to our word, Christ. It is a translation of the Hebrew word, Messiah, which means, anointed one. There is only one Christos. He is the object of our faith, we serve him, and he is our example. And if he laid down his life, preached serving all, and demonstrated humility, than part of this example includes beta. Yet, we also see a Jesus unafraid of standing up to blasphemy and looking into the eyes of oppressors and telling them their sin. This is alpha.
Peter writes:
As men, we set aside such foolish notions of alpha males and beta males. Instead, we seek to live as Christos males. Men who seek to live as Jesus. Jesus the leader. Jesus the prophet. Jesus the holy. Jesus the servant.
Jesus is Christos.
A Psychology Today article that was actually helpful also popped up in the results. It too asked whether such a thing existed. The writer pointed out how in animal groups/packs/murders, "every member has a place in the hierarchy." This does not work out as easily with humans, because, "we belong to more than one social circle--a man who may be a custodian by day may be a superstar DJ by night." Point being, we do not simply have one group/pack/murder we belong to so it's too complicated to have an alpha in the order.
The writer instead argues what is commonly referred to as "alpha male" is actually "social dominance." She writes, "Studies have demonstrated that socially dominant men hold sway with many women, and can invoke feelings of inferiority among men."
It's important (and scientifically so) to note that what is referred to as "alpha male" in the animal kingdom is not entirely translatable into humankind. However, the term does mean something, even if it's not totally accurate. We can easily think of men who impose themselves into situations. Sometimes they are just natural leaders willing to lead, other times it's a clear overcompensation of someone who has no idea what he is doing, but wants to appear confident in his ignorance. So for our sake, an alpha male is going to mean the broad concept of a dominant male.
The term has certainly found a home in alt-right homes in an attempt to fight back against PC culture--the boundless boogeyman that justifies anything. And while there are very legitimate gripes about societal disregard for manhood and masculinity, the push back from the alt-right compounds matters by playing down to stereotypes. Over the last couple years we have all seen young men whooping and hollering in a display of aggression (or something) at rallies and such.
Common descriptors for alpha males in many of these websites I examined include: confident, competitive, mentally tough, and strong body language. These seem pretty straight forward, and none of them are bad. Keep in mind that most of these sites are trying to put a positive spin on alpha males. Still, there is an underlying theme of aggression in these and other characteristics. Again, I think aggression is a natural instinct in men (unlike what radical feminists say), but it's necessary to understand and positively channel that aggression instead of putting it out on display in attempt to impose oneself over "weaker" men (unlike what the alt-right demonstrate).
On the flipside is the beta male. Initially the term was used as an insult to put down seemingly weaker males. Using this word implies the person is emasculated. This term was perpetuated by the same folks who had a grand time calling everyone cucks during the 2016 presidential election. The term is a put down because if the speaker is an alleged alpha he is trying to impose himself on someone else, directly calling out the other individual as a lesser male (beta).
Some have tried to flip the term and make it a badge of honor. A Hollywood Reporter cover promoting the TV show Silicon Valley plastered the headline, "Triumph of the Beta Males." Much like alt-right men seek alpha male status in reaction to an emasculated and uber-feminized society, some of the progressive left seek beta male status in reaction to the alpha male obsession. Hopefully you're noticing a trend: All of this is reactionary.
It should be obvious that the Christian male ought to reject a life that would neatly fit into either the idea of an alpha male or a beta male. Rather, we must seek the status of a Christos male. Jesus alone is our example of what masculinity must be.
The problem with interpreting masculinity from Jesus is that he demonstrates more aspects of humanity than anyone else can. This is probably because he is also God. If you want Jesus to be the poster boy for alpha males, then point to him cleansing the temple in Mark 11 (not Luke 19, as that is the beta version). Jesus overturns tables and drives folks off with whips. Very alpha of him.
Or, point to Matthew 23 when he scolds the pharisees. Jesus calls them hypocrites six times as well as blind five times (including "blind fools"). He adds in "whitewashed tombs" and "brood of vipers" to go along with calling them murderers. Like a wolf challenging the leader of the pack, Jesus is clearly an alpha male attacking the authority and self-righteousness of the pharisees.
Yet on the other hand, Jesus consistently placed himself in the role of a servant. For centuries (and even today) Jewish leaders read the prophecies about the suffering servant believing these passages were about the Jewish people. Chief among such prophecy is Isaiah 53. It reads, in part:
Surely he has borne our griefsChristians should immediately recognize this scripture is about Jesus. He bore our sins, he was pierced for our sins, he was substituted for us to take God's wrath as punishment for our sins. He laid himself down for those who would come to faith in him.
and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed him stricken,
smitten by God, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his wounds we are healed
All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned--every one--to his own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all. (v. 4-6)
Jesus also preached the role of a servant. In Mark 9:33-35, he addressed an argument his disciples were having over who was the greatest disciple. Jesus tells them, "If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all" (v. 35b). It does not get more beta than that. Jesus tells his followers they must humble themselves and take on the lowly place of a servant. Not just a servant to one's master, but a servant of all.
Jesus also exhibited the role of a servant. The night of his betrayal and arrest, Jesus humbled himself as a servant to wash his disciples feet. John very deliberately describes what happened:
He got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basis and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with at he towel that was wrapped around him. (John 13: 4-5, NIV)At face value, this is already humbling. Jesus kneels down and cleans the feet of his followers as a demonstration of service. Yet, as many of us have read or heard preached, we need more context to fully understand how humbling this was. Mike Cosper explains:
Roads were just dirt, and people would have worn sandals of rope and leather. Combine the sweat-inducing heat with nearly bare feet, and dusty roads, and you can imagine the result. When you entered someone’s home, you came with filthy, sweaty feet, and it was common courtesy to have a servant wash them when you entered the home.Cosper adds that bible scholar Andreas Kostenberger has pointed out this role was typically reserved for a slave. Yet Jesus, the son of God, the one who could appeal to his Father for twelve legions of angels (Matthew 26:53), washed feet. If a beta male is one who is lesser than others, then Jesus' actions clearly fit this moniker.
Yet here's the thing: Jesus is more than alpha, and he is more than beta; he is Christos. Christos is the Greek precursor to our word, Christ. It is a translation of the Hebrew word, Messiah, which means, anointed one. There is only one Christos. He is the object of our faith, we serve him, and he is our example. And if he laid down his life, preached serving all, and demonstrated humility, than part of this example includes beta. Yet, we also see a Jesus unafraid of standing up to blasphemy and looking into the eyes of oppressors and telling them their sin. This is alpha.
Peter writes:
For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. (1 Peter: 2:21-25)Very clearly, as Christians, Jesus is our example. Any pursuit of fully alpha male status or any acceptance of fully beta male status is wrong. Characteristics of each exist in Jesus' life, death, and resurrection.
As men, we set aside such foolish notions of alpha males and beta males. Instead, we seek to live as Christos males. Men who seek to live as Jesus. Jesus the leader. Jesus the prophet. Jesus the holy. Jesus the servant.
Jesus is Christos.
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