Introduction to Joshua’s Path

Welcome

As with many others, I owe significant gratitude to Dalrock, for his efforts in maintaining his blog for close to a decade (https://dalrock.wordpress.com/). His decision in January 2020 to close his site has pushed me to finally start my own.

What is the purpose of this site? Below I’ll briefly discuss the following topics, that will explain the community I hope we will create.

– Community

– Discussion of problems within our local communities

– Offer advice and suggestions

Community

God created us as beings that need community.

Genesis 2:18 – Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.”

Hebrews 10:24-25 – 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Christian men need the opportunity to meet together, discuss issues that concern them, correct and exhort one another, and to connect in community. Due to problems with the typical church in Western culture, some Christian men feel unable to make this connection locally. Those who are introverts likely feel a keener need to be able to give thoughtful arguments and comments — the type of communication for which a blog can be an ideal channel.

In some ways, a connection “in real life” is far superior. Our friend who sees us and has known us for years is far more able to challenge us on areas where we need growth or in areas where we are being self-destructive or self-limiting. I can easily hide my struggles from my “virtual” friends on-line. I hope to enable readers here a chance to meet up with other readers who live nearby, should they so choose.

In some ways however, a virtual space such as this one can be very valuable. Those men who lack close friends from their local community are far better off to have community with a group of men here, than not at all. I appreciate the chance to have others give me information and challenge my views — it is not necessary for this to be done in person.

An anonymous, virtual forum also allows a man to give critics and views that are politically incorrect or contrary, with an ability to focus on giving and receiving correction, rather than on social consequences.

Discussion of problems within our local communities

It is not my intent to (regularly) complain about the problems that exist. We do however need to be willing to see the problems that exist, and understand how they differ from what is best, if we are to adapt to reality and try to change our own lives, families and communities for the better.

In addition, it can simply be helpful for us to be able to blow off steam, to verbalize that what we are seeing is foolish and destructive to our families and communities. It can be helpful to hear that others also see the problem, that you are not “the only one”.

I think Dalrock has thoroughly covered several problems already. Other than possibly providing a few links to some of Dalrock’s existing articles, I likely will not post much on these topics. These include:

– Church leaders who are more concerned with approval from their female-dominated congregations than on approval from the Chief Shepherd. I am not sure that focusing on bad examples is beneficial. I think it is better to instead point people to the Bible, and ask them to apply that wisdom to their life.

– Replacing an oath-based model of marriage with a child-support-based model of marriage.

Offer advice and suggestions

Occasionally a reader at one of the various red-pill sites would comment that, while the community is thoroughly covering the problems, no one seems to be offering solutions.

I of course am not able to offer you solutions for your life. I do not know either you, or the future, well enough to give a perfect, pre-packaged solution.

We can however seek to give advice and principles that will help each other. The best source of wisdom is God’s word, the Bible, and I will strive to present primarily that. It is my hope that we will have a regular focus on applicable wisdom.

Even where little practical advice can be given, merely having a compassionate and understanding community can be emotionally helpful.

Job 2:11-13 – 11 Now when Job’s three friends heard of all this evil that had come upon him, they came each from his own place, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. They made an appointment together to come to show him sympathy and comfort him. 12 And when they saw him from a distance, they did not recognize him. And they raised their voices and wept, and they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads toward heaven. 13 And they sat with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his suffering was very great.

Of course, once Job’s friends opened their mouths, things went down-hill quickly. That does not negate the solace we can give by listening and understanding the trials our fellow man is enduring.

To give you an idea of what is coming, here is my current plan of posts. I’ll update this list as reality imposes changes and as posts are written.

Recognize the problem

• Our “churches” are openly disobedient. Hopefully this will be the only topic on this site where we look at the problems in the Orthodox, Protestant and Roman Catholic churches. Anyone wanting to argue about whose “church” is better or correct will be expected to use this post, and not clutter up the remainder of the posts on the site.
• Our legal system is openly disobedient to God and to what is best for our families and communities.
• You are openly disobedient
  • This in the most important one in this set of topics. I can control only myself.
  • What should you be – In this topic, we will have posts that look at what various Bible verses require from men in areas of money, being strong and courageous, being leaders in their families, being leaders in their communities, providing for their own family, if and how to provide for those claiming to be poor, if and how to protect the members of another man’s family, etc.
• She (meaning the various women you might hope to marry) is openly disobedient – Admit I cannot control others. Given this, how should I respond to the disobedience of others? In particular, of the group of women from whom I wish to take a spouse?
  • What should you demand, if anything, from a woman wanting to be your wife? In particular, the demands that are shown in the Bible.
  • What kind of woman should receive your efforts?
  • Open your eyes, admit what you see, and find the right group in which to pursue a wife.
• Your religious leaders are openly disobedient
  • Do not be surprised; Paul’s rebuke of Peter, our on-going sinful nature
  • Confront, in the hope that they will escape from the trap of the devil
  • Bear with one another in love

I ask that each reader post at least a short comment. If others see that you have participated here, it will encourage them to check back and to participate also. We cannot build community on our own.

May God bless and guide you.

JPF

P.S. Please be tolerant of my incompetent WordPress skills for now. I am more concerned with the content and our community.