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The 5 Masculine Instincts: A Guide to Becoming a Better Man

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Don’t trust your instincts—there is a better path to becoming a better man. It’s no today’s men face a dilemma. Our culture tells them that their instincts are either toxic or salvific. Men are left with only two deconstruct and forfeit masculine identity or embrace it with wild abandon. They’re left to decide between ignoring their instincts or indulging them. Neither approach helps them actually understand their own masculine experiences nor how those experiences can lead them to become better men of God. The Bible doesn’t shy away from the reality of masculine instincts nor all of the ways those instincts can lead to destruction. Examining the lives of five men of the Bible, The 5 Masculine Instincts shows that these men aren’t masculine role models or heroes but are men who wrestled with their own desires and, by faith, matured them into something better. Through this book you’ll discover your own instincts are neither curse nor virtue. They are the experiences by which you develop a new and better instinct—an instinct of faith. By exploring sarcasm, adventure, ambition, reputation, and apathy, The 5 Masculine Instincts shows you how to better understand yourself and how your own instincts can be matured into something better. This is the path by which we become better men.

208 pages, Paperback

Published March 1, 2022

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83 people want to read

About the author

Chase Replogle

3 books29 followers
Chase Replogle is the pastor of Bent Oak Church in Springfield, Missouri. He holds a degree in Biblical Studies, an M.A. in New Testament from The Assemblies of God Theological Seminary, and a D.Min. in The Sacred Art of Writing from Western Theological Seminary.

Chase is the author of The 5 Masculine Instincts and A Sharp Compassion. His work draws from history, psychology, literature, and a rich narrative approach to Scripture to help readers think more deeply about faith and life.

His work has been featured on Good Morning American, Christianity Today, The Gospel Coalition, Ekstasis, Bible Engagement Project, and Influence Magazine. In addition, he hosts the Pastor Writer Podcast (pastorwriter.com), where he interviews Christian authors on writing and publishing. A native of the Ozark woods, he enjoys being outdoors with his wife and two kids, sailing, playing the guitar (badly), and quail hunting with his bird dog Millie.

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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
Profile Image for George P..
560 reviews66 followers
June 14, 2022
To be honest, I steer clear of Christian books about masculinity. They tend to fall into one of two extremes: Either the believe that masculinity per se is toxic, or they teach “biblical manhood” is tantamount to rigid gender roles. I don’t see myself—or what the Bible teaches about being a man—in either extreme.

I let Chase Replogle The 5 Masculine Instincts sit at the bottom of my to-read pile precisely because of bias against book’s like his. I finally tolle-et-lege’d it when I needed to interview someone for a Father’s Day podcast. I am glad I did.

Replogle defines instinct as “a way of perceiving who you are, the world you are in, and how you act in the midst of it.” No one has the time to deliberate about each choice we face every day, so we act instinctively: “Behaviour as if from knowledge,” in the words of C. S. Lewis.

The five masculine instincts Replogle writes about are sarcasm, adventure, ambition, reputation, and apathy. In and of themselves, they are neither good nor bad. What matters is how we use them.

“In a world of individualized truth and hyperdefensiveness, we lost the ability to decide what to do with our instincts,” Replogle writes. “We have failed to become their master. Instead, they rule us.”

To help men get hold of their instincts, Replogle examines the five instincts through the lives of six Biblical characters: Cain (sarcasm), Samson (adventure), Moses (ambition), Saul and David (reputation), and Abraham (apathy). You’ll need to read his treatment of these biblical men to see why he connected their stories with those instincts.

As a longtime Bible reader, I thought his pairings were exegetically responsible and spiritually insightful. At numerous points throughout the book, I found myself looking at myself in the mirror of Scripture and realizing that I need to examine my instincts in order to become more like Christ.

And that is the ultimate point of the book. Replogle closes The 5 Masculine Instincts with a great quote from Eugene Peterson: “One way to define spiritual life is getting so tired and fed up with yourself you go on to something better, which is following Jesus.” That’s real masculinity.

Book Reviewed
Chase Replogle, The 5 Masculine Instincts: A Guide to Becoming a Better Man (Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2022).

P.S. If you liked my recommendation, please click “Helpful” on my Amazon review page.
Profile Image for Brandon H..
635 reviews70 followers
May 23, 2022
"We are experts at what is wrong with the world and amateurs at what is wrong with ourselves." -Chase Replogle

This was an excellent book! I was pleasantly surprised with its content and overall message. The author looks at 5 common instincts that most men deal with throughout their lives. If left unchecked these instincts can derail one's spiritual growth and maturity as a man. They can also wreak havoc on relationships and prevent a guy from living the full life God intended him to live.

The author examines the lives of 5 well-known men in the Bible and their corresponding instincts. I was really impressed with the author's skill in bringing out insights and truths from each of their lives and I must say that his chapter on Samson was by far the best exegesis I think I have ever read on Samson's life! That chapter alone was worth the price of the book.

Here's the Table of Contents to give you an idea of what the book covers -

Chapter 1- Men, Meat, and the Masculine Malaise
Chapter 2 - Learning to Recognize Your Instincts
Chapter 3 - Sarcasm: The Humor of our Age
Chapter 4 - Adventure: Cultivating New Eyes
Chapter 5 - Ambition: A Promised Land Lost
Chapter 6 - Reputation: The Image of a King
Chapter 7 - Apathy: A World too Wide
Chapter 8 - The Real Work Ahead
Chapter 9 - Nothing Left to Prove


A few quotes -

"For too many of us, faith is a soft and clean word. The kind of word you're likely to find cross-stitched onto a kitchen hand towel." (149)

"It was never Isaac's life that was really at stake; it was always Abraham's life of faith." (pg 168)

"The greatest risk to your faith probably isn't you abandoning it but that it would grow lifeless and still as you find ways to escape the complexity of what you currently face. The sacrifices you want to avoid are the gifts you most need. The sacrifice never actually costs you; it always opens the door to a bigger world. It stretches you and equips you with a greater capacity to receive from God. To sacrifice is to live. And it's always worth it." (169)

Quoting Eugene Peterson: "One way to define spiritual life is getting so tired and fed up with yourself you go on to something better, which is following Jesus." (189)
Profile Image for Molly.
227 reviews
March 1, 2022
When a book opens with a line from Parks and Recreation, quotes C.S. Lewis multiple times, and draws an analogy from The Death of Ivan Ilych, you know it's going to be a good book.

In The 5 Masculine Instincts, Chase digs into 5 common areas of struggle. Although the book is written for men, I still saw myself and my own struggles in each of the instincts. Page after page, I was gently convicted to become more self-aware and more gospel-aware.

As Chase puts it, "maturity begins by taking responsibility for who you are now, submitting to the divine lesson at hand, and humbly seeking a path toward something better." Through this book, God helped me identify areas of struggle, listen to His prompting in those areas, and seek paths toward growth.

I will definitely be re-reading this book, and recommending it to friends (especially men)! If you're ready to be challenged and grow in your faith, go order yourself a copy.
Profile Image for Joshua.
287 reviews
June 6, 2022
This is one of the best books I've read in the last few years. To be honest, I think when I saw the title, I thought it would be a personality book, which almost made me roll my eyes, but it was not. The author calls out the instincts and tendencies in man that can impede our lives - and shows us a better way. I identified with every instinct.

I was cut to the heart at times, challenged and encouraged to keep fighting to know Jesus and know myself.

I don't HIGHLY recommend many books, but this is one I will be recommending for years to come.
Profile Image for Cameron Lloyd.
13 reviews2 followers
February 7, 2025
This book was okay. I thought his unique insights into the five characters of the Bible were interesting and resonated on some level. However, the authors overall approach is not an exemplary way of reading the Bible. The author is obviously well read. But readers should be cautious when a writer forms an idea (his from Shakespeare) and “writes” it into the Bible. Also, his whole idea is “virtue infusion” and is completely void of Christ. I think it took him about 170 pages (of 190) to remotely mention the gospel. It’s a trend in Protestantism and should be a red flag to the Church.
Profile Image for Paige Gordon.
Author 6 books70 followers
February 22, 2023
This book belongs in a very special (and small) category known as “books that left me speechless”. It impacted me profoundly and in my opinion it is best book on Christian manhood written since Wild At Heart. Chase has a way of bringing to light details in the lives of biblical men that I have never heard anywhere else, using those details to weave a tapestry of profound insights and then presenting a vision of true manhood like I have never seen anywhere else. If I could only recommend one book on Biblical manhood, I would be hard pressed to not choose this one every single time - it really is that good. I believe it is an essential read for every single man and I know my two times through it so far are just the beginning of a lifelong journey with this amazing book.

Favorite Quote: “Obsess over self-knowledge and you will get lost in an endless maze of your own insecurities. But, perhaps surprisingly, there is an equal risk to ignoring self-knowledge and turning your own spiritual life into the acquisition of biblical knowledge alone. A head full of properly defined theological affirmations will not guarantee character either. It’s never just one thing.”
Profile Image for Will Dole.
Author 1 book7 followers
March 2, 2022
This is a really good book. Chapter four alone is worth the price of the book.

I appreciated Replogle's discussion of manhood through the lens of these 5 instincts, with the understanding that the instincts simply are. The question is not whether these instincts exist in our lives, the question is: will we master them, or be mastered by them? Replogle points us - through a skillful mix of question asking, and drawing from narratives both inside and outside of Scripture - to the source of true character and manhood: Jesus, the man who died for us.

As I said, the chapter on Adventure, focusing on Samson, was particularly good. The only chapter I struggled with was the Ambition chapter, as I'm not sure that shoe quite fits on Moses' foot. Lots of what Replogle says in that chapter about ambition is really helpful, I just kept getting hung up on the use of Moses which doesn't seem to fit.

This is also a very accessible book, and I foresee using it in men's groups, 1-on-1 discipling, and giving it as a gift.
Profile Image for Scott Hurst.
7 reviews
August 27, 2023
I am so glad Chase has written this book. It will help men understand the instincts that drive them. Even more so it will help men find the sweet spot of self-knowledge and gospel knowledge. Understanding but not being defined by our instincts and becoming better men in the process. I'm excited to get lots of copies for the men in my church.
Profile Image for Derrick.
282 reviews5 followers
September 1, 2022
This is a book written to Christian men to challenge our instincts that come naturally to us as men and as humans. The author identifies five major instincts; ambition, apathy, adventure, reputation, and sarcasm. These 5 instincts challenge our faith and limit our ability to grow into Christlikeness, the book gives us thoughts and questions to challenge us against these temptations. The book is not about moving us out of each instinct and into a vibrant faith but recognizing our tendency to drift.

I enjoyed it. It wasn't the best book ever and I could tell which instincts speak the most to me because I took lots of notes in some chapters and zero notes and would be disillusioned in other chapters.
I discovered it after Chase Replogle was on a podcast I listen to. Listening to the podcast and wanting material to think through on manhood and masculinity it piqued my interest.

I am hesitant to recommend the book to anyone. It's very specific, very niche. Its a short book though and a quick read, I mean if the description sounds interesting to you, you will probably enjoy the book. I don't know that the book has changed me in anyway. I do look at where are my own thoughts or beliefs about myself leading me into sin or limiting my ability to grow in being more like Christ. There were definitely some areas of the book that really challenged me and I could see where I might be. I think the general concept of the book is a very simple one. Inspect yourself and spend more time in the word of God. Don't be complacent and challenge your instincts, those things that just you do or say without really thinking one way or the other about them.

Some of my favorite quotes or ideas from the group;
* Humility is not the absence of pride, rather pride is the absence of humility. At the same time humility can not be our focus. When we pursue humility it becomes corrupted.
* I have heard it said that meekness is strength under control. This book rephrased the same idea that meekness is disciplined strength. Meekness is first a question of submission. Jesus demonstrated meekness through submission to God's plan.
* Confess your sins to yourself, to God, and to a trusted friend.
* We need more than expectations, we need the good news. It is only by a growing knowledge of application of the gospel that we are capable of knowing ourselves.
Some of these are not direct quotes, but merged with my own thoughts and other things I'm reading and listening to.

This book was an interesting one as I look back at my notes in my daily journal about it. At first I didn't care much for it. There were some chapters I enjoyed and others I felt were basic and something I had moved far from. I read the chapter on sarcasm and felt a tingle, then I read the next two chapters and was thinking it was time to just put down another dude of a book and move on with life. Then the book started to kind of open up to me from my notes I would make. The idea of integrity being an idea of being made whole. Showing that your presented self and your inner self are consistent with one another. Your sins will find you out so you can either be honest with yourself and with God now, or God may humble you are at very inconvenient time. We need to place our faith and trust in God lest we be tempted away into an apathetic faith. It is not the idea of a grotesque sin leading men away from a vibrant faith but is the comfort of our hobbies and the recliner that cause us to disengage from our wives, our children, our church and our community where our presence is needed. The book ended with these last few bullet points that I want to make sure I have a copy of to remember. It is the gospel that gives us the security to embrace a self-suspicion necessary to overcome immaturity and sarcasm. The gospel offers a better adventure through deeper commitments and discernment. The gospel checks our ambition and teaches you to receive what you can't achieve by setting down your own expectations and learning to rest. The gospel exposes your pretending and teaches you the value of integrity over defending your reputation. The gospel keeps you engaged with this story of sacrifice and grace, rescuing you from your own apathy and pulling you back into a life of faith. This is what it means to be a man. To be maturing into Christlikeness. You must learn to know yourself. You must learn to know the gospel. You must watch yourself and the teaching closely.
Profile Image for Julianne.
278 reviews18 followers
December 30, 2022
Disclaimer: I know Chase and work with him! However, if I didn't like the book I wouldn't lie about it on Goodreads, I'd simply intentionally forget to review it, lol

So that explains why I'm writing a review on a book about masculinity. (in case you were wondering! ha)

Actually- I'm really GLAD I had a reason other than the title to read this book, because I wouldn't have picked it up. And I really, really enjoyed it.

There are themes talking about "how to be a better man," sure, but it's more about being a better human. He examines the lives of 5 Biblical men and shows how their stories demonstrate struggles we all face.

I found myself SUPER interested in these stories I've heard hundreds of times- I think my favorite was the chapter on Moses, because Chase brought new light to Moses' story in a way that made me like Moses better (he's never been one of my favorites, but I found myself having more compassion on him- and learning from him!- as I read the story)

Super good book, and not a long read! (I actually finished this months ago, I just haven't logged in and updated Goodreads lol)
Profile Image for Kit Carlson.
20 reviews1 follower
March 9, 2022
As a Military Chaplain, I’m enthusiastically referring people to Chase’s book. It stands out as a timely resource: boldly and humbly problematizing values we too often accept without thought to their outcome: ambition, adventure, cynicism (sarcasm), apathy and image (reputation).

Chase’s discussion is clear, challenging, and invigorating. The words have been refined by Biblical consideration, and maintain a freshness that can speak to those new to ideas of faith.

After considering Chase’s words, I’m drawn to First Things, like loving well my wife, my son, my family, and treasuring my walk with Christ. I’m cautious of pursuit, ego, & satisfaction with mundane passing pleasures.

I believe that internalizing Chase’s book will lead readers to lives that matter for those around them, and to live with a fulfillment they’ve never known to be possible before.
Profile Image for Matt Perry.
19 reviews
October 13, 2022
Some good insights on men in the Bible and some of their tendencies or instincts. Also identified ways to avoid or balance if these instincts get out of line. Led a men's group through this book; there were some really helpful videos and a study guide available that reviewed and highlighted some of the main points from each chapter. Everyone in the group really enjoyed it.
Profile Image for Benjamin Shurance.
384 reviews26 followers
October 11, 2023
I wouldn't normally pick up a book on masculinity published by Moody and forwarded by Batterson, but last year I came across a really interesting piece on the author's blog and put a request in at the Library for this book.

The book has some dry spots, but it also has engages Scripture with wisdom and sensitivity. I thought the chapter on Cain was especially brilliant. 3.5 stars.
Profile Image for Duane.
24 reviews
June 14, 2022
Insightful and Challenging

Repogle challenges men to mark their carnal, instinctual responses to the daily challenges of life. A good basic textbook for men looking to improve their spiritual walk.
Profile Image for Kevin Harris.
56 reviews4 followers
January 22, 2024
A New Favorite

After stumbling across this title, I am blown away by the impact this book made on me. Scripturally sound from beginning to end and the accompanying assessment was thought provoking.
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