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The Masculine Journey: Understanding the Six Stages of Manhood
In MASCULINE JOURNEY, Robert Hicks explores the biblical roots of masculinity. Drawing from the six Hebrew terms for manhood, Dr. Hicks portrays masculinity as a distinclty powerful asset, one that was designed to help men thrive at every stage of life.
- GenresChristianSpirituality
203 pages, Hardcover
First published June 26, 1993
3 people are currently reading
71 people want to read
About the author
Robert M. Hicks
18 books2 followersDr. Robert Hicks is currently serving a military tour as Joint Force Support Chaplain for the Alabama National Guard. In this capacity, he oversees all Chaplain support activities for the almost 15,000 Army and Air National Guardsmen. Dr. Hicks is the former Deputy Director for the Civil Air Patrol, the Air Force Auxiliary. Currently, he is a curriculum consultant to the Air University, a published author and conference speaker. He also is Professor of History and Ethics at Belhaven College/Orlando. Previously, he instructed at the USAF Air War College and Chaplain Service Institute. (Maxwell AFB, AL). As a reserve officer, he holds the rank of Colonel and has served in the Air National Guard for over thirty years. He has held academic professorships at Bethel Seminary of the East in Philadelphia, Dallas Theological Seminary, and International College in Hawaii.
In l987, he co-founded Life Counseling Services, a professional counseling center in the Philadelphia suburbs. As a nationally known conference speaker and seminar leader, he has spoken at National Promisekeeper conferences, and done extensive seminar work with the military, law-enforcement, civilian disaster organizations, and veteran groups.
As author of ten books (one with his wife) he has given over 350 radio and television interviews. Appearances include National Public Radio, The Art of Family Living, CTV Network (Pittsburgh), TV 38 (Chicago), USA Radio Network, The Wellness Channel, the 700 Club, Family Life Today, and the ABC network.
Dr. Hicks holds degrees in Psychology, Theology and National Security Studies. Post-doctoral work includes Religious Studies at Villanova University and European History at Rollins College. He has studied in Israel and served as visiting professor at overseas colleges and universities. (Bolivia, Australia, Fiji, Canada, Ukraine, Israel)
As an Air Force officer, Dr. Hicks is a graduate of the USAF Air War College Residence program, Academic Instructor School, Critical Incident Stress, Combat Ministry and Senior Chaplain Courses. As an Air National Guard Chaplain, Dr. Hicks is a noted resource on the subjects of "Traumatic Stress" and "Religious Extremism". In 1986, he was nominated "Chaplain of the Year" by the American Legion, an award given by President Ronald Reagan. He is awarded, "Who's Who in the East", "Who's Who in American Religion", and "Who's Who in American Education".
Dr. Hicks resides in Maitland, Florida and has been married for 41 years to his wife Cynthia. They have three children and eight grandchildren. In his spare time, Robert enjoys dating his grandkids, reading, and being an FAA rated pilot.
In l987, he co-founded Life Counseling Services, a professional counseling center in the Philadelphia suburbs. As a nationally known conference speaker and seminar leader, he has spoken at National Promisekeeper conferences, and done extensive seminar work with the military, law-enforcement, civilian disaster organizations, and veteran groups.
As author of ten books (one with his wife) he has given over 350 radio and television interviews. Appearances include National Public Radio, The Art of Family Living, CTV Network (Pittsburgh), TV 38 (Chicago), USA Radio Network, The Wellness Channel, the 700 Club, Family Life Today, and the ABC network.
Dr. Hicks holds degrees in Psychology, Theology and National Security Studies. Post-doctoral work includes Religious Studies at Villanova University and European History at Rollins College. He has studied in Israel and served as visiting professor at overseas colleges and universities. (Bolivia, Australia, Fiji, Canada, Ukraine, Israel)
As an Air Force officer, Dr. Hicks is a graduate of the USAF Air War College Residence program, Academic Instructor School, Critical Incident Stress, Combat Ministry and Senior Chaplain Courses. As an Air National Guard Chaplain, Dr. Hicks is a noted resource on the subjects of "Traumatic Stress" and "Religious Extremism". In 1986, he was nominated "Chaplain of the Year" by the American Legion, an award given by President Ronald Reagan. He is awarded, "Who's Who in the East", "Who's Who in American Religion", and "Who's Who in American Education".
Dr. Hicks resides in Maitland, Florida and has been married for 41 years to his wife Cynthia. They have three children and eight grandchildren. In his spare time, Robert enjoys dating his grandkids, reading, and being an FAA rated pilot.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 11, 2025
A THEOLOGY PROFESSOR IDENTIFIES SIX ‘MANHOOD’ STAGES IN THE BIBLE
Robert M. Hicks is a retired military chaplain, and former professor of Pastoral Theology.
He wrote in Chapter 1 of this 1993 book, “My experience, I have come to learn, is part and parcel with the masculine experience. Men don’t like to ask for directions. But we desperately need directions for our respective journeys. Without directions we end up lost. Whether as developing teenagers, midlife males, or senior members, men need a kind of map that will trace the masculine journey---a map that shows us what’s up ahead, and how we are to get from one point to another. [This book] tries to reveal this male developmental journey and provide directions for a man’s life so that he doesn’t get lost along the way…
“Since the publication of my book ‘Uneasy Manhood,’ much has happened in the men’s movement… Despite the press, men are openly reading and discussing new male topics in an attempt to rediscover something that they feel has been lost… For most men all this discussion is fairly high sounding and theoretical. What they really want to know is, ‘What does it mean to be a man?' The women in their lives want to know as well. In fact, it would seem today that women are as confused about this thing called ‘maleness’ as the men are. Many SAY they want sensitivity in men but then turn around and say the sensitive, caring male is nothing but a wimp. Underneath, there seems to be a gnawing realization among men that what women really want from men is the same old thing---for us to be strong, aggressive, and of course, successful!” (Pg. 13-15)
He continues, “In ‘Uneasy Manhood’ … I looked to Jesus as the model of manhood for which men should strive. In the life of Jesus what can be seen is the unique integration of both strength and sensitivity… I did not detail how the model of Jesus can be seen throughout the lengthy adult life cycle for men. The dynamics of both strength and sensitivity change as men get older.” (Pg. 18)
He goes on, “I believe there is a normative male, which is depicted in the following pages, as illustrated by the six Hebrew words we’ll study, and which has been validated by contemporary men’s issue research. Understanding these six stages as a journey also suggests that at every new place encountered there is a time of SEPARATION from the past, INITIATION to something new, TRANSITION from one place to the other, and temporary CONFUSION.” (Pg. 22)
He outlines, “So what are the six Hebrew words that plot the course for our male journey?... The foundational Hebrew word for man is ‘adam,’ which … says we are ‘creational’ beings first and foremost… we must ultimately reflect our Creator… We must never forget who we are as men, capable of great benevolence and at the same time horrible, destructive evil.” (Pg. 23)
He adds, “The second word defines maleness in its most base, fundamental aspect. The Hebrew word ‘zakar’ … reflects the ‘phallic male’ in his distinct sexual aspect…. The next stop on the journey is that of the much-publicized experience of the WARRIOR… The Hebrew word ‘gibbor’ reflects this male in his warring strength… The fourth Hebrew word ... is the word ‘enosh.’ This word describes man in his weakness, in his frailty, and in his woundedness.” (Pg. 24-25)
He proceeds, “The fifth Hebrew term … the word ‘ish’ reflect man as the RULER over his own spirit… The last meaningful stop on our journey is at the Hebrew word for elder… ‘zaken’…He was the one who granted to younger men the honor of being accepted fully into the adult male community. To sit in the circle of the sages was indeed the lifelong pursuit of young men.” (Pg. 26-28)
He states, “Without accepting the creaturely realities of being made by and for our heavenly Father, we cannot be the men we should be. This is the beginning point, the first stop on the male journey.” (Pg. 35)
He notes, “Fundamentally, life always promises more than it can deliver, and the result is a sense of moral uneasiness and emptiness. This is a reality men in my experience do not like to face. It usually takes the loss of a job, marriage, or health to finally make this reality a part of our personal conscience and convictions.” (Pg. 40)
He states, “One of the most amazing things about the Bible is that it is a timeless book, unaffected by the winds of cultural change… the word for warrior, ‘gibbor’… stands unapologetically throughout the biblical text as one of the primary stages on the male journey.” (Pg. 76) He adds, “It is the warrior in men that energizes them to keep going, to press toward goals, to stand their ground, to defend their personal and corporate values, even to the point of risking self.” (Pg. 78)
He asserts, “Some would say that this new awareness about men’s woundedness has created an openness for men to TALK about their pain without the stigma that was attached to men’s pain in the past…. But from the viewpoint of biblical literature, the experience of a wounded male is not uncommon… The Bible honors it as a normal stop on the male journey.” (Pg. 102) Later, he adds, “For men to survive their wounding, I believe they need to feel safety among men who have also suffered pain.” (Pg. 120)
He explains, “‘Ish’ is the adult male, the male in his maturity, not the young man, the youthful warrior, nor the gray-headed sage. ‘Ish’ is the mature man… who has been resurrected from the wounds of life and had a new perspective on the meaning of life and manhood because of that pain.” (Pg. 123-124)
He states, “the Hebrew word… ‘zaken’ … is often contrasted to the young man… This elder then is far removed from our modern concepts of the retired, uninvolved senior citizen. Instead, his focus is on the social community to which he belongs…” (Pg. 151-152)
He admits, “each of these stages will entail a certain amount of confusion… Confusion is normative for the masculine journey as you move from one stage to another. Don’t let the confusion be a problem for you. This is transition time, and transitions always breed confusion.” (Pg. 174-175)
This book may strongly appeal to the kind of men who attended Promise Keepers meetings, etc.
Robert M. Hicks is a retired military chaplain, and former professor of Pastoral Theology.
He wrote in Chapter 1 of this 1993 book, “My experience, I have come to learn, is part and parcel with the masculine experience. Men don’t like to ask for directions. But we desperately need directions for our respective journeys. Without directions we end up lost. Whether as developing teenagers, midlife males, or senior members, men need a kind of map that will trace the masculine journey---a map that shows us what’s up ahead, and how we are to get from one point to another. [This book] tries to reveal this male developmental journey and provide directions for a man’s life so that he doesn’t get lost along the way…
“Since the publication of my book ‘Uneasy Manhood,’ much has happened in the men’s movement… Despite the press, men are openly reading and discussing new male topics in an attempt to rediscover something that they feel has been lost… For most men all this discussion is fairly high sounding and theoretical. What they really want to know is, ‘What does it mean to be a man?' The women in their lives want to know as well. In fact, it would seem today that women are as confused about this thing called ‘maleness’ as the men are. Many SAY they want sensitivity in men but then turn around and say the sensitive, caring male is nothing but a wimp. Underneath, there seems to be a gnawing realization among men that what women really want from men is the same old thing---for us to be strong, aggressive, and of course, successful!” (Pg. 13-15)
He continues, “In ‘Uneasy Manhood’ … I looked to Jesus as the model of manhood for which men should strive. In the life of Jesus what can be seen is the unique integration of both strength and sensitivity… I did not detail how the model of Jesus can be seen throughout the lengthy adult life cycle for men. The dynamics of both strength and sensitivity change as men get older.” (Pg. 18)
He goes on, “I believe there is a normative male, which is depicted in the following pages, as illustrated by the six Hebrew words we’ll study, and which has been validated by contemporary men’s issue research. Understanding these six stages as a journey also suggests that at every new place encountered there is a time of SEPARATION from the past, INITIATION to something new, TRANSITION from one place to the other, and temporary CONFUSION.” (Pg. 22)
He outlines, “So what are the six Hebrew words that plot the course for our male journey?... The foundational Hebrew word for man is ‘adam,’ which … says we are ‘creational’ beings first and foremost… we must ultimately reflect our Creator… We must never forget who we are as men, capable of great benevolence and at the same time horrible, destructive evil.” (Pg. 23)
He adds, “The second word defines maleness in its most base, fundamental aspect. The Hebrew word ‘zakar’ … reflects the ‘phallic male’ in his distinct sexual aspect…. The next stop on the journey is that of the much-publicized experience of the WARRIOR… The Hebrew word ‘gibbor’ reflects this male in his warring strength… The fourth Hebrew word ... is the word ‘enosh.’ This word describes man in his weakness, in his frailty, and in his woundedness.” (Pg. 24-25)
He proceeds, “The fifth Hebrew term … the word ‘ish’ reflect man as the RULER over his own spirit… The last meaningful stop on our journey is at the Hebrew word for elder… ‘zaken’…He was the one who granted to younger men the honor of being accepted fully into the adult male community. To sit in the circle of the sages was indeed the lifelong pursuit of young men.” (Pg. 26-28)
He states, “Without accepting the creaturely realities of being made by and for our heavenly Father, we cannot be the men we should be. This is the beginning point, the first stop on the male journey.” (Pg. 35)
He notes, “Fundamentally, life always promises more than it can deliver, and the result is a sense of moral uneasiness and emptiness. This is a reality men in my experience do not like to face. It usually takes the loss of a job, marriage, or health to finally make this reality a part of our personal conscience and convictions.” (Pg. 40)
He states, “One of the most amazing things about the Bible is that it is a timeless book, unaffected by the winds of cultural change… the word for warrior, ‘gibbor’… stands unapologetically throughout the biblical text as one of the primary stages on the male journey.” (Pg. 76) He adds, “It is the warrior in men that energizes them to keep going, to press toward goals, to stand their ground, to defend their personal and corporate values, even to the point of risking self.” (Pg. 78)
He asserts, “Some would say that this new awareness about men’s woundedness has created an openness for men to TALK about their pain without the stigma that was attached to men’s pain in the past…. But from the viewpoint of biblical literature, the experience of a wounded male is not uncommon… The Bible honors it as a normal stop on the male journey.” (Pg. 102) Later, he adds, “For men to survive their wounding, I believe they need to feel safety among men who have also suffered pain.” (Pg. 120)
He explains, “‘Ish’ is the adult male, the male in his maturity, not the young man, the youthful warrior, nor the gray-headed sage. ‘Ish’ is the mature man… who has been resurrected from the wounds of life and had a new perspective on the meaning of life and manhood because of that pain.” (Pg. 123-124)
He states, “the Hebrew word… ‘zaken’ … is often contrasted to the young man… This elder then is far removed from our modern concepts of the retired, uninvolved senior citizen. Instead, his focus is on the social community to which he belongs…” (Pg. 151-152)
He admits, “each of these stages will entail a certain amount of confusion… Confusion is normative for the masculine journey as you move from one stage to another. Don’t let the confusion be a problem for you. This is transition time, and transitions always breed confusion.” (Pg. 174-175)
This book may strongly appeal to the kind of men who attended Promise Keepers meetings, etc.
February 5, 2023
Excellent.
Read
March 7, 2014This Prromise Keeper's training manual, published by The Navigators, inadvertently reveals the gayness deep in the heart of the swaggering homophobic Christianist men's movement. How sad that this delusional,sexually obsessed interpretation of Scripture has penetrated our chaplain corps.
This book offers deep insight into the clear and present danger of sodomy in the Christian Right that has serially toppled leaders like Billy James Hargis, Gary Almy, Ted Haggard, and George Rekers.
THE NAKED JEW
"Every Israelite, when looking at himself naked, was reminded of how different [circumcised] he was from the Gentiles and for what purpose. In this sense, his sexuality took on spiritual significance. Every time he used his penis, he was making a spiritual statement about who he was and who he worshipped and why."
PLAYFUL PLEASURE OF MILITARY SODOMY
'God ... obviously knew men would be put into situations where this would be a very real temptation. Whether it be men at sea for months at a time, a men in prisons, or adolescent boys playfully experimenting with each other, situations can create the temptation. The pleasure experienced in those playful moments, or the bonding that occurs through the first experience- subsequently repeated- does not change the reality of the creational order.
"I have often counseled gay men on my observation that even in their sexual relations with each other, they must find a substitute opening for their penis.... For a man to have satisfactory sex he must find an opening for his penis. In rejecting the God-given opening of the woman, the homosexual merely affirms what he thinks he is denying whenever he finds an alternate opening."
NAKED JESUS ON THE CROSS
"Jesus was also very much zakar, phallic....Jesus was very much masculine, and masculine means being male, and bring male means having a penis. There's no way around it. Some in church history could not tolerate the exposure of the Son of God's genitalia. Therefore, you will never find a portrait of the crucifixion of Jesus with penis exposed even though it was a common Roman custom to crucify criminals naked. Even the Gospel writers tell us that Jesus' outward. garment was torn into four pieces, leaving the inner tunic, which was then gambled for intact ...That left nothing. No underpants. Nothing."
ALL MACHO MEN HAVE GAY THOUGHTS, EVEN JESUS
"I believe Jesus was phallic with all the inherent phallic passions we experience as men. But it was never recorded that Jesus had sexual relations with a woman. He may have thought about it as the movie ''The Last Temptation of Christ' portrays. ... If temptation means anything, it means Christ was tempted in every way as we are. That would mean not only heterosexual but also homosexual temptation! I have found this insight to be very helpful for gay men struggling with their sexuality" (emphasis in the original).
This book offers deep insight into the clear and present danger of sodomy in the Christian Right that has serially toppled leaders like Billy James Hargis, Gary Almy, Ted Haggard, and George Rekers.
THE NAKED JEW
"Every Israelite, when looking at himself naked, was reminded of how different [circumcised] he was from the Gentiles and for what purpose. In this sense, his sexuality took on spiritual significance. Every time he used his penis, he was making a spiritual statement about who he was and who he worshipped and why."
PLAYFUL PLEASURE OF MILITARY SODOMY
'God ... obviously knew men would be put into situations where this would be a very real temptation. Whether it be men at sea for months at a time, a men in prisons, or adolescent boys playfully experimenting with each other, situations can create the temptation. The pleasure experienced in those playful moments, or the bonding that occurs through the first experience- subsequently repeated- does not change the reality of the creational order.
"I have often counseled gay men on my observation that even in their sexual relations with each other, they must find a substitute opening for their penis.... For a man to have satisfactory sex he must find an opening for his penis. In rejecting the God-given opening of the woman, the homosexual merely affirms what he thinks he is denying whenever he finds an alternate opening."
NAKED JESUS ON THE CROSS
"Jesus was also very much zakar, phallic....Jesus was very much masculine, and masculine means being male, and bring male means having a penis. There's no way around it. Some in church history could not tolerate the exposure of the Son of God's genitalia. Therefore, you will never find a portrait of the crucifixion of Jesus with penis exposed even though it was a common Roman custom to crucify criminals naked. Even the Gospel writers tell us that Jesus' outward. garment was torn into four pieces, leaving the inner tunic, which was then gambled for intact ...That left nothing. No underpants. Nothing."
ALL MACHO MEN HAVE GAY THOUGHTS, EVEN JESUS
"I believe Jesus was phallic with all the inherent phallic passions we experience as men. But it was never recorded that Jesus had sexual relations with a woman. He may have thought about it as the movie ''The Last Temptation of Christ' portrays. ... If temptation means anything, it means Christ was tempted in every way as we are. That would mean not only heterosexual but also homosexual temptation! I have found this insight to be very helpful for gay men struggling with their sexuality" (emphasis in the original).
October 20, 2011
As a guy in his late 40s, this book was very timely for me. Hicks does a great job of relying on the Bible and the OT in particular to look at the different stages that men pass through. He is very quick to point out that passing through these stages is in no way dogmatic, and that men retain aspects of most of the phases throughout their life (and some remain dominated or stuck in one phase/stage in particular). Obviously, any time stages like this are presented, we're indulging in over-simplifications and to some degree stereotypes. But, on the whole, Hicks does a great job reminding us that that is NOT his central theme. This is merely one framework from which to view the adult male.
Some of the psychology was a little too simplistic - particularly some over-indulgences in Freud, but, all-in-all, to me, a very helpful book.
Some of the psychology was a little too simplistic - particularly some over-indulgences in Freud, but, all-in-all, to me, a very helpful book.
October 9, 2010
Great book! Does a word study of the different Hebrew words translated as "man" in the Bible and characterizes these as stages in a man's life. I think this books was undeservedly overlooked.
February 16, 2022
A well written map of the stages of life of a man and the needs he must have to continue the journey. NOT for lone rangers.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews