Your Dad Doesn’t Lift? Well Happy Mother’s Day to Your Dad!

 “Happy Mother’s Day”: A Brief Theology of Weak Dads

Arnold Schwarzenegger has issued what may be the most unintentionally prophetic Father’s Day message of our time:

“Your dad can’t lift? Well then happy Mother’s Day to your dad!”

It’s crude. It’s excessive. It’s also uncomfortably close to 1 Corinthians 16:13: “Act like men, be strong.”

Scripture does not blush at strength. David killed lions (1 Samuel 17:34–36). Samson carried city gates (Judges 16:3). Paul disciplined his body (1 Corinthians 9:27). Even Joseph—the earthly father of Jesus—was a carpenter (Matthew 13:55), which at minimum suggests he did not need to “get a second guy” to move a table.

In some Roman Catholic traditions (granted, non-canonical and safely rejected at your local Reformed church), Joseph is even depicted as a kind of quiet enforcer—protecting the Christ child, scaring off threats, and generally not being the sort of man who would throw out his back reaching for a sandal.

Meanwhile, the modern Christian dad protects his home with a doorbell camera, provides via direct deposit, and considers carrying all the groceries in one trip a minor act of sanctification.

We insist strength is “spiritual,” which is convenient, because it requires no effort. But Scripture never draws that line so neatly. The man indwelt by the Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead (Romans 8:11) probably shouldn’t be winded halfway up the stairs.

No, muscles don’t justify. But at some point, “your body is a temple” (1 Corinthians 6:19) has to mean more than avoiding obvious sins while quietly decaying.

So honor your dad. Thank him. Appreciate him.

But if he says, “I don’t lift,” then at least be honest about what you’re celebrating.

Arnold already wrote the benediction.

“Happy Mother’s Day.”