The Renaissance Man, Husband- and Dad-Style
Merriam-Webster defines "renaissance man" as one who has interest and expertise in many areas. The Urban Dictionary mentions that a person described by this term is "talented in all spheres of human endeavor." A general (and incomplete) litany of such spheres would include language, philosophy, religion, science, sport, art, and, perhaps, food. The person who attains noteworthy accomplishment in most or all of these realms, and who could pass on knowledge and wisdom to others, is considered to have attained the ideal.
The historical figure who seems to have attained this ideal most notably (at least in the modern age) is Leonardo da Vinci. Da Vinci receives credit as a painter, a botanist, an urban planner, a man of high intellect, and a designer of flying machines. If all of this is attributable to him in fact, then it is right to place him in the limited company of true renaissance men. Of course, there are also fictional expressions of this ideal throughout our culture, primarily in books and movies. For example, Bruce Wayne and his alter-ego, Batman, come to mind. The character most akin to da Vinci in modern advertising might be "The Most Interesting Man in the World."
Beyond the historical or the fictional, it is not unlikely that many of us know one or more individuals who come close to the proverbial bulls-eye of this target. One friend of mine is a physicist and psychologist by education, a developer of entertainment technology in a previous career, a blogger in his spare time, and a hunter on weekends. Another friend speaks at least four languages, paints, writes poetry, has a black belt in martial arts, and loves to cook for friends. It goes without saying that both friends are connoisseurs of the fruit of the vine. These are a couple of men who are quite close to the mark, if they're not there already.
There is something to be said for attaining the ideal of the renaissance man sketched above. It seems that being a polymath allows a person to enjoy "the good life" on many levels. There might be financial benefits, to be sure. Yet, there is at least one benefit that far exceeds the economic. A person who is well-versed in a broad range of subjects can enter into conversation and relationship with almost anyone at any time and on any level. The ability to hold such a conversation is far more interesting than talking only about sports, weather, or the latest episode of a popular reality television show.
What has already been said is true, even within the family and the home. The life of a husband and father, especially this husband and father, must be that of a renaissance man. However, it is true in ways different than one might expect. It is necessary for husbands to be able to interpret their wives' statements about household needs and emotional desires, which are sometimes cryptic and round-about. It also is necessary for dads to understand the Gibberish spoken by babies and toddlers so that diapers are changed and juice cups filled at appropriate junctures. Most husbands probably need to be versed in the art of combat against critters and bugs to ensure their beloveds' happiness. Fathers also need to teach children the ways of warriors in sports and in fake wrestling in the living room; also fathers have to teach sons about the fact that said combat doesn't get used against little sisters.
There's more. A father can ascend closer to renaissance-man-status by helping to plan and build towers and towns out of the million-and-two-thirds Legos that are dispersed throughout the house. Dad can share his artistic accomplishment with daughter to help her paint a "masterpiece" after breakfast. A father can even "invent" a "flying machine" that will allow the kids to travel at high speeds through the air and land safely on the "runway" of the family couch. When all of the building and painting and traveling is finished, a dad can bring to bear his expertise as a connoisseur of "fine food" by making macaroni-and-cheese and chicken nuggets, or anything else that Wife's cookbook recommends.
There is a higher ideal that is applicable, too, and it involves the way a husband interacts with his wife. Husband must capture and protect time with his wife outside of their roles as parents, away from the children. Perhaps they could go to an art gallery or a play. He should be able to take her to a restaurant that doesn't have a kids' menu, and one that serves really good wine. He should be a botanist for her, knowing her favorite flowers. He should also be able to explain to her why he appreciates the gladiators of the gridiron. All the while, he should be able to hold a conversation about (at least) some of the things that interest her. He really should be the most interesting man in the world for this one woman.
It seems abundantly clear: meeting the ideal of the renaissance man within a family fulfills the adjectives that St. Paul wrote in Philippians 4:8. Life lived in this manner is just, pure, lovely, gracious, and excellent. Becoming a renaissance man for the family is the way that a husband and father imitates Christ to his family. After all, He is the fulfillment of all their desires and they need Him far more than anyone else.
The historical figure who seems to have attained this ideal most notably (at least in the modern age) is Leonardo da Vinci. Da Vinci receives credit as a painter, a botanist, an urban planner, a man of high intellect, and a designer of flying machines. If all of this is attributable to him in fact, then it is right to place him in the limited company of true renaissance men. Of course, there are also fictional expressions of this ideal throughout our culture, primarily in books and movies. For example, Bruce Wayne and his alter-ego, Batman, come to mind. The character most akin to da Vinci in modern advertising might be "The Most Interesting Man in the World."
Beyond the historical or the fictional, it is not unlikely that many of us know one or more individuals who come close to the proverbial bulls-eye of this target. One friend of mine is a physicist and psychologist by education, a developer of entertainment technology in a previous career, a blogger in his spare time, and a hunter on weekends. Another friend speaks at least four languages, paints, writes poetry, has a black belt in martial arts, and loves to cook for friends. It goes without saying that both friends are connoisseurs of the fruit of the vine. These are a couple of men who are quite close to the mark, if they're not there already.
There is something to be said for attaining the ideal of the renaissance man sketched above. It seems that being a polymath allows a person to enjoy "the good life" on many levels. There might be financial benefits, to be sure. Yet, there is at least one benefit that far exceeds the economic. A person who is well-versed in a broad range of subjects can enter into conversation and relationship with almost anyone at any time and on any level. The ability to hold such a conversation is far more interesting than talking only about sports, weather, or the latest episode of a popular reality television show.
What has already been said is true, even within the family and the home. The life of a husband and father, especially this husband and father, must be that of a renaissance man. However, it is true in ways different than one might expect. It is necessary for husbands to be able to interpret their wives' statements about household needs and emotional desires, which are sometimes cryptic and round-about. It also is necessary for dads to understand the Gibberish spoken by babies and toddlers so that diapers are changed and juice cups filled at appropriate junctures. Most husbands probably need to be versed in the art of combat against critters and bugs to ensure their beloveds' happiness. Fathers also need to teach children the ways of warriors in sports and in fake wrestling in the living room; also fathers have to teach sons about the fact that said combat doesn't get used against little sisters.
There's more. A father can ascend closer to renaissance-man-status by helping to plan and build towers and towns out of the million-and-two-thirds Legos that are dispersed throughout the house. Dad can share his artistic accomplishment with daughter to help her paint a "masterpiece" after breakfast. A father can even "invent" a "flying machine" that will allow the kids to travel at high speeds through the air and land safely on the "runway" of the family couch. When all of the building and painting and traveling is finished, a dad can bring to bear his expertise as a connoisseur of "fine food" by making macaroni-and-cheese and chicken nuggets, or anything else that Wife's cookbook recommends.
There is a higher ideal that is applicable, too, and it involves the way a husband interacts with his wife. Husband must capture and protect time with his wife outside of their roles as parents, away from the children. Perhaps they could go to an art gallery or a play. He should be able to take her to a restaurant that doesn't have a kids' menu, and one that serves really good wine. He should be a botanist for her, knowing her favorite flowers. He should also be able to explain to her why he appreciates the gladiators of the gridiron. All the while, he should be able to hold a conversation about (at least) some of the things that interest her. He really should be the most interesting man in the world for this one woman.
It seems abundantly clear: meeting the ideal of the renaissance man within a family fulfills the adjectives that St. Paul wrote in Philippians 4:8. Life lived in this manner is just, pure, lovely, gracious, and excellent. Becoming a renaissance man for the family is the way that a husband and father imitates Christ to his family. After all, He is the fulfillment of all their desires and they need Him far more than anyone else.
