Young Men Are Lost and the Church Must Answer: Hawley and Mohler Expose the Masculinity Crisis

Senator Josh Hawley and Al Mohler Sound the Alarm on America's Crisis of Young Men

Sen. Josh Hawley (R Mo.) and Southern Baptist theologian Al Mohler sat down for a wide ranging conversation on Mohler's podcast "In the Library," which aired Wednesday, April 22, to discuss the growing crisis facing disaffected young men across America.

Hawley painted a bleak picture of the pressures facing young men today, saying they have been "told by the liberals forever that masculinity is inherently toxic." He argued that on top of cultural hostility, young men face enormous economic barriers, from housing affordability to the rising cost of starting a family, leaving many feeling they cannot succeed.

"They feel shut out of American society." Sen. Josh Hawley

Mohler framed the situation as an existential threat, warning that no civilization can survive with unfulfilled, aimless, and restless young men wandering without purpose. He stressed the critical importance of connecting labor to reward and instilling the discipline of delayed gratification in the next generation.

Both leaders championed what researchers call the "success sequence": finishing high school, getting full time employment, and marrying before having children. Hawley called on policymakers to remove barriers to these milestones, while Mohler emphasized the irreplaceable role of Christian discipleship in shaping young men.

The conversation comes amid new data showing a significant shift among young men toward faith. A Gallup report found that 42% of men ages 18 to 29 now consider religion "very important," a dramatic jump from 28% just two years prior.

Hawley and Mohler Call for Christian Mentorship to Save a Generation of Lost Young Men

The interview also touched on the influence of the "manosphere," the online ecosystem of male influencers that has surged in popularity among young men seeking guidance. Both Hawley and Mohler acknowledged the appeal these figures hold but argued the Church must step into that void with something far more substantial: the Gospel, genuine community, and biblical manhood.

This conversation follows Hawley's Duke K. McCall Leadership Lecture at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary on April 16, where he called on the seminary community to lead the nation toward spiritual revival and engage its deepest cultural crises head on.

The Crusader's Opinion

The world spent decades tearing down masculinity, mocking fatherhood, and telling young men they are the problem. Now they act surprised that a generation of men is lost, angry, and searching for meaning in all the wrong places. The Church was supposed to be the answer all along. Every young man who finds purpose in the Gospel is one fewer soul the enemy can claim. We don't need more government programs. We need more Christian men willing to mentor, disciple, and show the next generation what it means to follow Christ with their whole lives. The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.

Take Action

• Reach out to a young man in your church or community this week and invest time in mentorship. Even one conversation can change a life.
• Support ministries that disciple young men, such as The Shepherd's Shield, which stands on the front lines defending persecuted Christians worldwide.
• Read Sen. Hawley's book Manhood: The Masculine Virtues America Needs and start a men's Bible study group at your church to discuss it.
• Contact your Senator and urge them to support policies that make it easier for young families to buy homes and build stable households. Find your Senator at senate.gov.
• Listen to the full interview on Al Mohler's podcast "In the Library" at albertmohler.com and share it with someone who needs to hear it.