Jesus is NOT a Good Role Model for Men
Every hero reflects the struggles of their time; to inspire anew, even the timeless must be reimagined.
The image of Jesus Christ, as depicted in the New Testament, stands as a pillar of spiritual guidance for many. Yet, in the evolving cultural and philosophical landscape, his portrayal faces scrutiny, especially among men striving to navigate the challenges of modern masculinity.
While the theological stature of Jesus as the divine Son of God remains unshaken for the faithful, his human representation, rooted in the societal customs of 1st-century Mediterranean life, that builds on the rather limited (but yet profound) image of his life presented in the gospels, raises critical questions.
This post takes a critical look at key elements of Jesus's character, arguing that his lack of engagement with fundamental human struggles—like the pursuit of material well-being, Earthly ambition, and sexual fulfilment, combined with the nature of his accomplishments concerning conventional standards of success—leaves him an impractical, even uninspiring, and potentially misleading archetype for men to follow.
The Asexual Anomaly: Celibacy in a World of Desire
The gospels portray Jesus as entirely detached from the realm of sexual desire or romantic relationships. This is a stark contrast to the broader human experience, where sexuality and companionship are integral to identity, personal growth and to a great extent, mental well-being. While celibacy has been a hallmark of certain ancient ascetic traditions and monastic practices, its elevation as an ideal is often rooted in Jesus’s complete absence of sexual expression—even though he is professed to be both “True God and True Man”.
This detachment has inevitably created a sense of dissonance among his followers. For modern individuals—particularly men grappling with relationships, personal growth, and the search for self-discovery these entail—the omission or marginalization of the sexual dimension presents Jesus as a figure detached from a fundamental aspect of human existence.
The omission is particularly striking given the Bible’s candidness about the sexual escapades of other great figures: the polygamous lives of King David and Solomon, notably. By contrast, Jesus’s humanity feels sanitized, reducing his relatability and overstating his otherworldly nature. One that we men are somehow supposed to look up to.
Cultural Crossroads: From Christ to #MGTOW
Early Christian theology grappled with celibacy’s role. St. Paul’s letters (1 Corinthians 7:7-9) advocate for singleness as a “gift,” yet acknowledge that “it is better to marry than to burn with passion.” Whilst I’m not a fan of St. Paul, one must credit the ‘great expounder’ in engaging this real tension at the heart of the human experience and calls for a more pragmatic approach to this human frailty, which is absent in Jesus’ teachings.
Today, movements like MGTOW (‘Men Going Their Own Way’) or incel culture reveal the modern man’s struggles with intimacy and purpose—one that a desexualized archetype of Jesus cannot address. The MGTOW movement’s championing of celibacy as a defensive response to the extremes of feminism and female hypergamy reflects a world that is perceived as hostile to men.
The men who embrace these ideologies cite risks posed by unfavourable divorce laws, financial exploitation, or emotional manipulation by a class of “empowered” women who dominate the West. So in Christ's example, they find someone whose (mostly non-existent) teachings on the subject and his endorsement of an anti-materialistic way of life are curiously (if not perversely) resonant.
The sexual disillusionment and self-undermining individualism of the MGTOW movement emerge from a broader crisis in male identity, where traditional roles such as provider and protector have been eroded by economic instability, the rise of the Welfare State and adversarial forces like the gender movement. However, instead of finding meaningful solutions at a personal, professional and policy level, the proponents of these ideologies choose to reject an unfair world and find solace in loneliness and isolation.
The Untested Trial: Exploring the Psychological Void in the Desert.
The New Testament describes Jesus facing numerous trials: hunger in the desert, despair before the crucifixion, and pain and humiliation at the hands of political and religious authorities. Yet sexual temptation is conspicuously absent. This omission feeds into a perception of Jesus as distant. Modern psychology emphasizes that confronting desires—sexual or otherwise—is integral to personal growth. By sidestepping this dimension, the Christological narrative frames Jesus as a figure who transcends mortal frailty via his divine (God) nature, rather than embodying his humanity as a man and finding resolution through human action in the messiness of life.
The Struggle of the Shadow Self
St. Augustine's doctrine of concupiscence—the innate human tendency toward sin, especially as manifested through disordered desires like lust, is pertinent at this point. The view has partly helped shape Western Christianity’s understanding of human nature, framing it as inherently fractured and predisposed to moral failure. Within this theological framework, desire itself becomes a battlefield, demanding constant vigilance and reliance on divine grace.
Yet, the gospels portray Jesus as an untouched figure, disaffected by any inner conflict related to the sexual dimension. His humanity appears curiously insulated from the visceral pull of concupiscence. This absence of struggle introduces a paradox: if Jesus is “fully human,” how does he embody a humanity devoid of the tensions within the sexual realm that define much of the human experience? A Jesus exempt from these primal urges is an alien figure, detached from the lived realities of men who must contend with temptation, rejection, and lust in their pursuit of moral and personal growth.
Futile Humility in a World of Ambition
Jesus’s background as a carpenter’s son and his teachings championing humility (“the last shall be first”) were countercultural in a Roman society structured on hierarchy and dignitas (social standing). His message offered solace and hope to those marginalized by the oppressive power structures of the time. Yet, in today’s achievement-driven world—where status, wealth, and visibility are not merely markers of success but often prerequisites for survival—his emphasis on meekness and obscurity appears at odds with the prevailing values and practical realities of modern life.
Christ’s proclamation that “the meek shall inherit the Earth,” while comforting to the marginalized and to those who may lack the means or disposition to pursue advancement through initiative, grit, and creativity seems more delusional than aspirational. For the immediate concerns of life, adherence to this message risks engendering an outlook where mediocrity or poverty becomes the logical outcome. In time fostering a (parasitic) reliance on those who command the resources and influence.
This dynamic is perhaps most evident in the institutions, such as the Catholic Church, that claim to embody God’s Kingdom on Earth. These entities whilst preaching the evils of money and power frequently rely on the generosity of society’s more affluent and status-rich members, underscoring the tension between Christ’s teachings and the realities of worldly existence.
Nietzsche’s “Slave Morality” & Modern Hustle Culture
Friedrich Nietzsche famously critiqued Christian humility as a “slave morality” that glorifies weakness and subjugation. While provocative, the German philosopher’s critique resonates powerfully in the context of today’s “hustle culture,” self-promotion, ambition, and the ability to generate value—both financial and social—are not merely admired traits but essential tools for navigating modern life. Success in this framework is inextricably linked to self-determination and the crafting of a personal and social ethic rooted in a self-created identity, often untethered from traditional moral constraints.
Modern icons like Elon Musk or LeBron James exemplify this ethos, embodying a fusion of exceptional talent, relentless ambition, and unapologetic self-assertion. Their success is measured not only by their financial rewards but by their influence, visibility, and dominance in personal and professional spheres. For instance, in addition to being the richest man in the world, Musk has a sprawling family, with 14 children from four different women.
These qualities stand in sharp contrast to the life and teachings of Jesus as depicted in the Gospels. Jesus’s rejection of political power, such as his refusal to be made king in John 6:15, and his frequent admonitions against the pursuit of material wealth (e.g., Matthew 19:21). His message stripped of ambition or worldly aspiration, clashes starkly with the rules that govern a society driven by achievement and recognition.
The Missing Miracle Worker: Divine Power in the Age of Human Agency
Jesus’s ministry—marked by miraculous acts such as healing the sick and multiplying loaves— underscores his divinity but inadvertently diminishes his humanity. In case the obvious is missed, humans generally cannot perform superhuman acts like miracles. For most men, these extraordinary feats from the founder of the faith are neither relatable nor attainable. The resulting implication that life’s challenges are best overcome through supernatural intervention rather than human action produces a psychological dissonance.
This raises a critical question: how does a man address the trials he faces daily—through prayer, reliance on divine aid, and sudden spiritual enlightenment? Or is it by leveraging his knowledge, experiences, and networks? This tension is evident in teachings like “do not worry about tomorrow” (Matthew 6:34), which seem to discourage proactive problem-solving, and to negate the human propensity to ideate and envision future scenarios and possibilities to plan, and execute strategies to avoid threats and exploit opportunities.
Jefferson’s Bible and the Enlightenment Shift
Thomas Jefferson’s redacted Bible, stripped of all miracles and mysticism, embodies the Enlightenment’s scepticism toward the supernatural—an attitude that intensified with the emergence of industrial society and the rise of the information age. By removing divine interventions, Jefferson sought to present a Jesus whose moral and ethical teachings stood apart from the miraculous, crafting a figure aligned with reason and the rational ideals of his era.
In today’s pragmatic age, philosophies like Stoicism, the personal development school of thought, and “grind culture” dominate, which extol actionable strategies focused on attaining tangible outcomes over faith-based solutions. The latter feels too abstract, particularly in a world governed by empirical sciences and logical processes.
The latter is more appealing as these frameworks offer practical tools and provide systems for navigating challenges like job insecurity or marital struggles, where miracles or divine interventions seem disconnected from the gritty realities of daily life. Success is rightly framed as the product of self-discipline, planning, and persistence—qualities that resonate with men, who are made to navigate in a world where material progress and individual achievement are the standard.
This evolving mindset has deepened the disconnect between traditional religious teachings and existential questions, driving disillusionment with organized religion. Miracles, while inspirational, are of little use for those seeking practical guidance to attain timely solutions to life’s struggles.
This disconnect is reflected in the growing number of “NONES”—those unaffiliated with any religious tradition—who question the applicability of faith in a world that prizes autonomy and measurable outcomes. In this landscape, reliance on faith-based practices often feels misaligned with the demands of modern life, where control and responsibility over one’s future rest firmly in human hands.
The Good Shepherd Vs Warrior: A Clash of Archetypes
The metaphor associated with Jesus the “good shepherd” (John 10:11) clashes with ancient heroic ideals of the warrior and conqueror, and the modern ideals of creativity, entrepreneurship and industry. In Roman culture, military prowess and leadership defined male honour; today, analogous values persist in the glorification of assertiveness, competitiveness, and ambition that underpin success in the marketplace and in the political arena.
Christ, the ‘good shepherd’ who eschewed worldly glory for the sake of the cross, symbolizes something negative, miserable, and disempowering. He symbolizes service (without reward), sacrifice, austerity and celibacy. Traits and conditions that are correctly marginalized or ignored for their lack of utility and indeed relevance to modern life.
Ancient epics like The Iliad celebrated warriors like Achilles, whose rage and prowess drove narratives and inspired posterity. Modern ‘heroes’ like the captains of industry and top athletes blend a variety of strengths and capabilities with a clear, productive focus. Jesus’s pastoral image, while radical in its compassion, lacks the active heroism that is associated with purposive masculinity. Interestingly, biblical figures like David—a warrior-king—balance spiritual piety with earthly power, and a love of life (women,) offering a more dynamic, relatable template.
Jesus’s Story: A Hero without a Hero’s Journey
Joseph Campbell’s The Hero With a Thousand Faces captures the archetypal hero’s journey—a universal narrative of loss, helplessness, self-discovery, initiation, growth, trials, setbacks, confronting the enemy, and victory, thus completing the circle.
However, the story of Jesus, while grand in its mythic scope, notably sidesteps many of these phases. His brief desert temptation and unwavering divine certainty stand in contrast to the messy, but aspirational struggles of man. The absence of profound, character-building trials tied to worldly outcomes within the biblical narrative highlights a distinct departure from the hero’s transformative journey.
Further, Jesus's steadfast resistance to the three temptations of Satan has, paradoxically, led to the framing of wealth, worldly joys, and personal success as inherently corrupt or undesirable. This perception diverges sharply from other heroic tales, such as Odysseus's decade-long odyssey, rife with hardship and moral testing, or Harry Potter’s incremental growth forged through repeated failures and trials.
Both Odysseus and Potter navigate their respective struggles to emerge triumphant not only in defeating their enemies but also in achieving meaningful fulfilment in life and relationships. These narratives, rich in humanity, underscore a more relatable and multifaceted heroic ideal.
Modern audiences crave narratives of resilience, not predestined triumph. Jesus’s narrative arc lacks the structure of the ‘Hero’s Journey’—struggle, growth, triumph—central to most inspirational figures and remains uniquely appealing to the spirit of man. From birth, Christ was divinely ordained. He was all-powerful, culminating with his Resurrection negating the finality of death.
A message whilst hopeful, provides little hope for those struggling to navigate the material, relational and social challenges of today. At this point, one is tempted to view Jesus as a ‘Mary Sue’: whose life reflects the hated pop cultural archetype: flawless, unchallenged, experiences no real growth, and succeeds through the inherent power of his divinity rather than earned wisdom, acquired skill, and lived experience.
Conclusion: Jesus’s Archetype Fails to Unite Myth with Modernity
The Biblical Jesus embodies a theological paradox: a person who is fully divine and fully human. However, the practical expression of his humanity—sanitized of ambition, desire, and material achievement—creates a figure at odds with humanistic values. This is not a dismissal of his teachings or his divine mission, but a frank recognition that at the present stage in humanity’s history, this narrative demands reinterpretation.
For men navigating the challenges of modern life, Christ's portrayal—absent of personal and emotional struggles tied to money, sex, power, and status—feels not only unattainable but also fundamentally unappealing. The paradoxical alignment between the Gospel's celibate ideal and movements like #MGTOW reveals a duality: celibacy can liberate, yet it does alienate. Ultimately, the transformative potential of a man’s life is not found in avoiding uncertainty, failure, or rejection but in embracing these realities with courage, confronting them head-on, and growing through the messy, authentic, ultimately rewarding human experience.
The sexless life of Jesus, as depicted in the Gospels sits uneasily with the modern, Western mind. While the absence of sexual desire in Christ has long been idealized as a testament to his holiness and divine character, it also underscores a gap between his stated humanity and the struggles of those navigating questions of identity, growth and success in the modern world.
Jesus’s ascribed celibacy, as depicted in the Gospels, lacks the connective element needed to resonate with the realities of temptation and the intricate dynamics of human relationships, leaving his message and example as a distant abstraction in the minds of the faithful. If the Jesus archetype is to remain a resonant and inspiring example in today’s world, his humanity must be reimagined—reimagined and recontextualized to embrace the complexities of desire, struggle, and aspiration. Until such a reimagining occurs, the paradox of the Biblical Jesus persists: a saviour eternal, yet a figure detached from the lived realities of the present.