The Faithful Father
The origin story of Five Aspects Ministries is told in the introductory pages of Five Aspects of Woman: A Biblical Theology of Femininity. The seed that eventually bore fruit was planted by a father whose wise words answered his daughter’s honest question. Barbara Mouser tells the story this way:
One event I remember at the start of my search [for the meaning and reason for human sexuality] is a short conversation I had with my father on the back porch of our farmhouse. Having come in from the field, he was taking off his boots with the help of his bootjack—something I had seen him do hundreds of times. I asked him, “Dad, what is a woman?” I do not think he had been out there on his tractor all morning pondering this question. Nevertheless, he paused and looked out into space for a few seconds. Then he said to me, “Well, a woman is a beautiful idea.” I have always treasured that response, because in that one sentence, he said a great deal. There was no doubt in my mind, or his, whose beautiful idea a woman was. She was the idea of God. (FAW p. 3)
Barbara goes on to describe her search for answers in God’s Word, but I want to pause here and consider the beauty and power of her father’s response. I hear the same question asked in the world around me, and few people can answer it in any meaningful or practical way. Yet I keep returning to that answer: “a woman is a beautiful idea”—and she is God’s beautiful idea. Barbara’s father had the wisdom to answer her in such a way, and I find myself wondering what it would have been like to have a father who could answer like that.
If I had asked my own father that question, I am certain he would not have given me an answer I could accept. Why do I say that? Because my own introduction to sexuality—or at least the most memorable one—came through discovering my father’s secret stashes of pornography. Add to that the way the boys treated the girls at school and the way the girls treated one another, and the clearest message I received was this: a woman is a sexual object to be used and exploited for another’s pleasure. I wholeheartedly rejected that view of women, but in doing so I also began to develop a negative and hateful view of men in general and fathers in particular.
God—the true Father and the maker of men as well—was not going to let me stay on that path for long. I cannot say exactly when or how He changed my heart, but He did, and I am grateful. In time, I realized that not only did the false message about women need to be rejected, but so did the equally false and damaging message that men are merely exploiters of women. If God created women as “a beautiful idea,” then there must also be a good design behind the creation of men, and I wanted to know what that was.
I have since learned that our earthly fathers are meant to reflect our heavenly Father. Yet when they sin and fail, God seems to place Himself at a great disadvantage, because those entrusted with the title, role, and responsibility of father can so easily make Him look bad. And yet, in His great plan of redemption, this is how He has chosen to work. Why does He stake His reputation, as it were, by allowing earthly, fallen fathers to mar the wonderful, amazing, and indescribable worth of His own Fatherhood? Why?
I already hinted at the answer: because of His great plan of redemption. The proof is found in the power of Barbara’s story. Men who know who they are, Whose they are, and who shepherd their families in the ways of the Lord are among the greatest blessings in this world. When a man is a godly husband, the heavens rejoice. When men are truly God-fearing and faith-filled fathers, immeasurable blessings ripple through families and generations. And once again, I find myself contemplating the power of wise words spoken by a father to his young daughter so many years ago.
Therefore, as another Father’s Day has passed us by, I want to don my Deborah mantle* and encourage every man on this mailing list to pursue your relationship with God the Father through faith in Jesus Christ with renewed purpose and vigor. We need you. Your wives need you. Your sons need you. Your daughters need you. The Church needs you. Other men need you. We need men of faith to rise to the challenge and become godly men who reflect our Heavenly Father in every way. Wise words spoken by godly men who are prepared to give faith-filled answers to honest questions will bear much fruit.
For the glory of God,
Kristine Vermillion
* Deborah mantle: In our bible study, Deborah: Prophetess and Mother, we learn about Deborah’s role among the men in battle. She called men out for action, she reproved those who failed to show up, and she praised those who did (best summarized on page 59 and in Lesson 8).
Psalm 68:4–6 (ESV)
Sing to God, sing praises to his name; lift up a song to him who rides through the deserts; his name is the Lord; exult before him! 5Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation. 6God settles the solitary in a home; he leads out the prisoners to prosperity, but the rebellious dwell in a parched land.
Five Aspects of Men Focus
Unlocking Biblical Masculinity: The Five Aspects of Men
Interview with Molly White
Steve Ramey, one of the men on our board of directors, sat down with Molly White to discuss The Five Aspects of Men and the meaning of biblical masculinity.
Spotify:
YouTube:
Five Aspects of Men Materials
The Five Aspects Theology of Man is a theology textbook written for leaders and thinkers. Built on the five-aspects model, this book dives deeply into Scripture and develops a clear, extensive theology of both biblical masculinity and its corresponding femininity. It is rich, substantial material—truly a premium steak dinner to feast upon.
Five Aspects of Man, 2nd Edition, is a comprehensive Bible study that can be worked through individually or in groups and is ideal for men’s discipleship classes. The study breaks major biblical and theological concepts into 15 lessons, each divided into five smaller units with questions designed to help readers understand and apply the material. A leader’s guide is also available.
Five Aspects of Masculinity for Young Men is a simplified version of the Five Aspects of Men Bible study, geared specifically toward younger men—from late junior high through the early college years. It teaches major biblical and theological concepts in 20 accessible lessons that include both concept-building and application questions. A leader’s guide is available for this study as well.
Five Aspects of Women Facilitators:
In last month’s Communique, I let y’all know that I am putting together a Five Aspects of Women Facilitators group. Several of you reached out to say you are interested, and I am sending out the call once again in case you missed it the first time. If you have taught the course in the past, or if you consider yourself well versed in the materials and are interested in helping grow and continue the ministry, please contact me. I have several projects that would benefit from your feedback and help. In the meantime, if you are interested in joining this group, please send me an email at info@fiveaspects.com.
The new FAWF group will begin this August, Lord willing.
In Christ,
Kristine Vermillion
Editor and Women’s Ministry Director
Five Aspects Ministries