BY FATHER KEN BARKER MGL

Young Men Rise Up
By Fr Ken Barker MGL, Connor Court Publishing,
2008, $22.95, paperback

Fr Ken Barker is the
moderator of the Missionaries of God’s Love, an association of Christ’s Faithful under the Archbishop of Canberra/Goulburn. The MGLs have a reputation of being loyal to the Church’s teachings, receiving a solid philosophical and theological formation, and blending traditional devotional practices with charismatic worship. All of these factors are evident in this book. Young Men Rise Up is unusual in that it is at once a work of spirituality and a map of life for young men.

Fr Barker saw the need to encourage young men to ‘rise up’ and change the world around them by transforming themselves in Christ. His book sets out to motivate young men to achieve this personal transformation, centred on the virtues, which he insists are vital for any spiritual development. His definition of virtues as “habitual dispositions that give us power to act in manly ways” sets the tone for the transformation he proposes. He argues persuasively for the manliness of aspiring to virtue, and thereby becoming more Christ-like, as Christ was the most perfect man ever. Fr Barker’s treatment of virtue as intensely desirable for those seeking to renew themselves and live out their masculinity authentically should do much to counteract the prevalent attitude that concern for morality is somehow effeminate or weak.

Fr Barker considers the theological virtues of faith, hope and love as fundamental to the Christian way of life, but he also looks at some of the practical applications of the cardinal virtues, especially prudence, fortitude and temperance. Moderation, or temperance, is dwelt on at some length, as Fr Barker believes that this is a special area of temptation for young men in contemporary society, particularly with drug and alcohol abuse and sexual addictions, including pornography. He gives sensible practical advice for those with addictions, but it is always centred on the life of faith, and trusting in Christ.

One of Fr Barker’s constant recommendations is for young men to find a wise mentor, and a support group. He remarks that a mentor is not someone who will make decisions, but will rather guide a young man with his experienced advice, stop any impetuous decisions, and support him in his struggles to lead a good life. Fr Barker believes that many young men find themselves in quite desperate situations because of a reluctance to expose their concerns. A men’s support group, such as the Young Men of God movement in Canberra, with which Fr Barker is associated, can provide a way of sharing problems before they get out of proportion and become unmanageable for an individual.

Young Men Rise Up is not written
in an academic style, but it is clear that
Fr Barker has thoroughly digested traditional ethical teachings and
spiritual practices, and represents them here in a fresh and lucid way to appeal
to those who are discovering them for the first time.