Stephen Mansfield offers sincere guidance regarding how men can regain what it means to be a man. Mansfield presents seven fires that should burn deep in a man's soul in order for that man to restore noble manhood. In presenting these seven fires: Heritage, Battle, Destiny, Friendship, Love, Legacy, and God, Mansfield encourages positive lifestyle choices for men. He seeks to reignite the morality that should guide men as they enter into society and into relationships.
Mansfield depends too much on the metaphor of battle though. In this writing he encourages an almost conqueror mentality in men. Not all men have hearts that beat with the heart of a warrior. Not all men have a passion to dominate. Not all men view life as a battle to be won. This metaphor might encourage some men as they grow as people, but it might actually be detrimental to others. If the primary metaphor of masculinity is winning the battle then some men might seek to conquer rather than offer Christ-like compassion.
In addition, at one point in the book, Mansfield makes a huge point of looking at Christ as a man. While this is certainly true, Jesus was and is a man, Mansfield's exploration of Christ as a man does not fully speak to who Christ is. The exploration of Christ as an adventurer who lived on the edge, may have been more impacting if the point of Christ's life choices and actions was more fully explored. Jesus lived on the edge and died on the cross as an act of love and compassion for all people. Men, and all who seek to follow Christ, need to find their passions in the midst of a love that reflects Christ's sacrificial attitude.
Overall, "Men on Fire" does not inspire the fire of manhood in my life. It disappoints through a lack of defining Biblical manhood. It also depends way too much on a metaphor that could inspire very unmanly attitudes and actions.
I received this book from the publisher in return for an honest review.
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