Move a Muscle. Make a Motion: Charles Kingsley Pumps Iron for God

People are always trying to justify their actions. I was speeding because I was late for work. I broke his nose because he took my parking place. I sued him because his burgers made me fat. As human beings, we are all about justifying our actions in ways that make us come out as the good guy. Charles Kingsley wrote, in a letter to his fiancé, about the idea of Masculine Christianity. Apparently, this was a rather popular movement during the Victorian era, while at first a “mocking disparagement for boisterous assertions of bodily strength and energy as the foundation of the pure moral life,” turned into more something that many men aspired to achieve (581). Kingsley begins by addressing the widespread laziness that is affecting the world at his time. He sees the act of laziness as “impious” (581). Kingsley then says that “I could not do half the little good I do do here, if it were not for the strength and activity which some consider coarse and degrading” (581). Kingsley, a clergyman himself, attributes the good he does to the strength he has received from God by doing handiwork and pleasurable things around the country. Kingsley proclaims “how merciful God has been in turning all the strength and hardihood I gained from snipe shooting and hunting, and rowing, and jack-fishing in those magnificent fens to His work! While I was following my own fancies, He was preparing me for His work” (581). Kingsley truly believes that by going out and doing pleasurable things like hunting and rowing, he is more apt at doing God’s work and will. What a fascinating idea! Kingsley justifies his pleasure time by saying that it is making him stronger and therefore more able to be an effective clergyman. It seems that Rev. Kingsley here can bake his cake and eat it too. The first part of his claim sounds a little ridiculous, but it certainly makes sense. The second point he makes is a little more accessible.

Kingsley looks to the work place now. He sees that there does not need to be disconnect between working and the Lord. He says, for instance, “I see no inconsistency…in talking to one man about the points of a horse, and the next moment to another about the mercy of God to sinners” (581). This is a similar tactic that is used today. If a Christian wants to spread the word of the Lord, they will sometimes go about it by approaching someone at work or wherever they may be and striking up a conversation. After making the small talk, they begin to talk to them about their Lord and savior. Kingsley puts it: “I try to catch men by their leading ideas, and so draw them off insensibly to my leading idea” (581). In a way, this idea has made its way to current times and most Christians are exhibiting it now. If we maintain out health and strength, like Kingsley says we should do, we can do God’s work easier. Kingsley also means that one must be good looking and in good health when he says there is “something impious in the neglect of personal health, strength, and beauty” (581). Kingsley wants to reader to take care of him or herself in order to do God’s work. This is, of course, very biblical as well ("Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Kingsley gives some sound advice, while at times a little strange sounding, it all makes sense.