This post is part 3 of a 5 part blog series called ‘Shaped By The Gospel’ on the subjects of race, politics, individualism, sexuality, and materialism. What does it look like to be shaped by the gospel on relevant issues shaping our culture?
Individualism may be the most common thing we never talk about. It is usually assumed before we even begin a conversation and we rarely put into the spotlight to consider the presuppositions we have made. Yet the call of a Christian is always to inspect those assumptions and bring them to the Word of God. How does the gospel help us understand who we are as people and our responsibility to one another?
Defining Our Terms:
Before we go any further, we need to understand what is meant by Individualism as it has a number of facets and has been used in many different ways. At its basis, Individualism is a system of thought that sees a person as distinct from the collective. That each person has their own unique gifts, talents, thoughts and perspectives and they ought to be evaluated and valued on that basis. In contrast to this kind of thinking is Collectivism which would put the value and good of the many above the value and good of the individual. Individualism is very much the foundation for much of Western society and how we operate from a governmental level to a personal level. And that has been a blessing in many ways. The mindset of Individualism has given us freedom of speech, freedom of worship and freedom of expression all things for which we ought to be grateful. The freedom we enjoy to gather and worship God and even evangelize come from this framework.
Expressive Individualism:
But when we think about how Individualism is put into practice today, it takes on a very different form. What we see in songs and television and on the internet is what is often called Expressive Individualism. Expressive Individualism is the belief that a person’s greatest happiness and fulfilment in life comes through personal self-representation and realization. Essentially it boils down to, “Being your most authentic self.” “Express who you really are.” “You be you.” If you could simply express who you are on the inside as accurately and fully as possible, you will be happy, fulfilled and lead a better life. It is the framework of individualism that is taken to an intensely personal level and then tied to the belief that it will lead to greater happiness, if not a completely utopian society. And this is perhaps the greatest point of friction between the message of expressive individualism and the Bible. But if we are going to understand how the Bible calls us to a different line of thinking (and a more beautiful one!) we need to understand the assumptions that are being made.
- Assumption #1: People are essentially good. This is the biggest assumption that is made in expressive individualism. That at the core of our being as humans, is an essentially morally good nature. So when people do bad things, it is simply a result of poor education, insufficient good opportunities, or an imbalanced cultural bias. If those were stripped away, we would all be good people. Therefore, to express who we are underneath is an essentially good thing.
- Assumption #2: Unhindered self-expression leads to greater happiness. If we could simply express who we are without feeling any pressure, guilt, or barrier we would be happy and fulfilled in our lives. The greatest threat to our happiness is any form of external constraint or restriction. Therefore, if we are to be fulfilled in life, we need to be able to express ourselves without hindrance from anyone or any system.
- Assumption #3: Only the individual can know what is best for them. This is the final assumption that is built on the previous two that claims that ultimate knowledge of what is going to be beneficial for a person can only truly be known by that person. While those around you can guide, no one can tell you who you are, what you should do or how you should act. And any system or institution that tries to do so is suspect at best, and outright evil at worst.
These three assumptions provide the undergirding for the expressive individualism that we see most commonly around us. Certainly, we could add more and not every person is going to frame their thinking in exactly these ways. Nonetheless, it gives us the shape of how many people view not only themselves but their purpose on earth.
A Biblical Worldview:
So how does the Bible respond to these assumptions? We need to guard ourselves from simply giving a knee-jerk reaction to this kind of thinking and merely doing the opposite. We want to be Biblical in our thinking, not anti-cultural. So how does God’s Word to us shape our understanding of these things?
- Biblical Response #1: Human beings are made in God’s image but have been distorted by sin. The first assumption that is made in expressive individualism is the source of divergence from a Biblical worldview. The Bible begins with the assertion that human beings made in God’s image and are therefore good. (Gen 1:27) However, when Adam and Eve sin in the Garden of Eden all creation from that point on sits under the curse of sin. The good creation that God made has been distorted and corrupted by sin. And that corruption extends even to the innermost parts of our life. Jeremiah will say of our hearts, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” (Jer 17:9) And Paul will conclude, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Rom 3:23) The Biblical view of who we are as human beings is sinful. While we are not as depraved as we could possibly be, every aspect of our being has been touched and distorted by sin. And as we look out at what goes on in our world, I believe this offers a better explanation for human behaviour than simply a lack of education, opportunity and upbringing. We see violence, hatred, racism, exploitation and destruction commonplace in our world both in and out of first world countries. It ultimately reflects hearts that are fixed on sin. Even when we consider our own heart inclinations, we find that they are not always pure. We act not out of ignorance, but because at times our hearts want to harm others. We are at our core sinful.
- Biblical Response #2: Unhindered self-expression is destructive. If the core of who we are has been infected and distorted by sin, to express everything that goes on in our hearts will not bring greater joy, but greater sorrow. Most people recognize this immediately, as not all self-expression is accepted as good. For those who are tempted towards harming others in predatory ways, we do not encourage or tolerate that kind of behaviour. One of the ways that God brings judgment is simply allow us to continue in sin without stopping. Romans 1:28 says, “And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.” When God gives someone up unhindered sin, it is not a sign of joy but a tragedy.
- Biblical Response #3: We need the Word of God to instruct us on what is best. If we are sinful in our inner being and if simply expressing what is in our hearts is destructive, we then need the Word of God to show us how to live. We could spend a long time on this point, but at its root we can say with the Psalmist, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” God reveals to us not only how we ought to live before God and what will lead to our greatest fulfilment and joy.
The Gospel’s Transformation:
If we ended the story here however, it would be a useless lesson. If we are sinful in our core, giving us more instruction will not help! We would still want to rebel against God’s Word. But the beauty of the gospel is that God not only shows us how to live for him, but he also empowers us to do so. In Romans 3 when Paul declares that all are sinful, he also shows the hope of the good news, “For all have sinned are fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” The answer to both how we can be rid of our sinful heart and how we can live rightly are both found in Jesus. His death on the cross pays for our sins and in his grace we are given a new heart that loves Him more than our sin! We are finally free to follow after God! And in that transformation we are called to a new way of living, a new way of looking at ourselves and one another! The gospel gives us a new set of priorities and assurances in our lives.
- Transformation #1: We are uniquely created and gifted to serve God and others! The Bible does not end by saying that we are sinful and stuck but shows the answer to restore in us the image of God. As the Holy Spirit transforms our lives through the work of Jesus, we are given spiritual gifts. Not so we can be proud of ourselves or build ourselves up but so that we can serve God and support others. Paul writes to the church in Corinth, “To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” (1 Cor 12:7) He then goes on to list all of the different ways in which God empowers people in the church to serve one another. He concludes by saying, “All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.” (1 Cor 12:11) Here is the beautiful arrangement that God has created for how the church is to function. Each person is uniquely gifted to serve others! Neither is the individual personality neglected nor is the good of others. Both are created to function together for the glory of God! So that as people see the church, they see unique members all serving together to support one another and give glory to God. This leads to the second assurance we are given in the gospel.
- Transformation #2: We are given a community around us to support and encourage us! God has uniquely designed and gifted us in such a way that you are going to be good at some things and worse at others. And that is not a problem because you are not alone. The first thing that God said was not good in creation was when Adam was alone. And in the church God has created us in such a way that we aren’t alone. This is perhaps the greatest felt pain in expressive individualism. If your whole life is spent pursuing more of yourself, that is inherently isolating from others. And that separation from others is ultimately damaging to us. In the gospel God creates the church and knits us together, so that we are not alone, but members of the same body, “Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.” (1 Cor 12:27) God neither destroys our individuality nor leaves us by ourselves. We are created to work with one another uniquely in the ways we are gifted to support one another.
- Transformation #3: We are brought into fellowship with God forever! More than the support and unity we have with other believers, we are given in the gospel of Jesus a transformation of our relationship with God. From being sinners under just punishment to children loved and cherished by God. We are not left alone to ourselves at any point but wrapped in God’s love. If we are looking for fulfillment and joy in life, it is found there! Jesus says to his disciples, “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” (John 15:11) The greatest pursuit in life is to know Jesus Christ and be known by him. In Jesus we have joy everlasting that does not fade, that does not let us down.
The beauty of the gospel is that Jesus not only pays for our sins, he transforms our hearts to follow Him and gives us joy and fulfillment in life that does not end. God created us to be with Him and one another and through Jesus Christ we have that eternally.