Individualism, Comfort, and Action (#dminlgp #campusministry)
A Brief Guide to Ideas by William Raeper
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I'm glad to have this handy resource as a part of my library. Beginning with epistemology, and an examination of the foundational ideas of Plato and Aristotle for Western thought, the authors move through history and the development of philosophy...
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How Should We Then Live? The Rise and Decline of Western Thought and Culture by Francis A. Schaeffer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I'm still working through some of this book, but I have absolutely loved what Schaeffer has to say, especially in regards to the dangers of a society that is primarily concerned with personal peace and affluence. He asserts that such a society will eventually allow an authoritative type of government to rise into existence out of a fear of losing "comfort". This certainly does not happen quickly, but is something that develops over time.
Interesting, but our culture today bears the marks of Schaeffer's description. When I speak with young people today about their hopes and dreams, and about their definition of success, they nearly always communicate this idea of "comfort"--of personal peace and affluence. They are willing to sacrifice much for achieving, and maintaining, this aspect of their life. To Schaeffer, this is an extremely dangerous place to be as a society...
View these reviews, and all my reviews here
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I've been reading a couple of different books this past week, both of which examine the past in order to help navigate the way forward in life. I'm understanding more and more that who I am today, and how I think, is largely dependent upon my historical context. This realization has caused me to want to examine, and to understand, my roots. It is also causing me to ask questions, and to seek out other historical perspectives that have something to offer me as I deepen my faith in God.
So, you may be asking, "What have I discovered about my history?"
The list is growing, but here's one important item that I've been pondering for several months:
I live in the Western social context, which is built upon the idea of individualism, or the primacy of self. This is a worldview that has developed over many centuries--from the Renaissance, through the Reformation and the Enlightenment. It is a deeply embedded way of understanding the world in which I live, and its formative force on my behaviors and beliefs is powerful. I've talked about this before, but it is worth mentioning again, it is a particularly dangerous frame of reference for someone who is striving to live the self-sacrificing way of Jesus.
Where do I see individualism most clearly in the university campus context? It's immediately evident in the dreams and aspirations of college students today. They live in a culture that tells them success is about personal peace and affluence (a lifestyle marked by "comfort" is the primary word used to describe it). Over the past couple of years I've been interviewing students about this. My findings are overwhelming--students value comfort above all else.
This should not surprise us at all. The message we all are hearing today through a multitude of advertisments is that life is simply about self, desire, and the pursuit of whatever is out there to make us happy.
It's so easy to conform to the world around us.
Schaeffer's book (see link above) calls attention to the dangers of living life from the perspective of self as the center. At its worse, it is a form of idolatry and will, ironically, prevent us from experiencing the life of abundance that God intends for us.
What do I do with this historical perspective? Is it enough to simply study history, or am I to actually respond in some way?
Schaeffer certainly believes we have an obligation to respond. His book is appropriately entitled, How Should We Then Live? As we study history, our discoveries should ultimately move us to act. Christians have a responsibility to influence society in ways that demonstrate the love God has for His creation.
Schaeffer asserts that we are to use our wealth compassionately. There is nothing inherently wrong with working hard, or being wealthy. Indeed, I think we are created to work, and to find joy in our work as it brings glory to God. There is a problem, however, with viewing our wealth from a self-centered, individualistic perspective. Afterall, The Earth is the Lord's, and everything in it (Ps 24). We are to act as God's stewards. We have been blessed in order to be a blessing to others.
I encourage you to examine your history--to discover your roots. Explore how you have been influenced by philosophers, scientists, theologians, and others. Determine to critically examine your biases, and to go beyond learning. Take action. Influence the world around you in ways that demonstrate the goodness of God.
Take a close look at our consumerist culture, and how it feeds into this idea of self as sovereign. Find ways to do battle with those daily messages that tell us life is all about comfort.
Posterous_api Comments (4)
Bill - nice commentary. When I was reading your comments regarding comfort and students I couldn't help but think of the contrast that be present between them and their grandparents [not their parents as I would think it is from their parents and parents generation in which the ethos of comfort has found its life...] the other thing is a musing...even if making money and the participation in the market economy is something that Christians can engage in, yet to paraphrase St Paul, 'is it benefital?' Perhaps we need to distant ourselves from this for the good of all [though comfort is a hard praxis to disengage from]...what would Schaeffer say to this?
Bill,I think the attitudes you reflect from your reading of Schaeffer are echoed in the young adults I know - at least from a majority perspective. It also represents Western culture. Greece is not willing to do the difficult work of sacrifice to pay for their past over-indulgences and riot because the Euro-zone countries have not completely absolved them of their self-indulgence. I see the same kind of self-centeredness going on in the US today. People who do not have the day-to-day basics who indulge in self-pleasing luxuries while expecting someone else to "fix" their situation. (How many times have I used the word "self"?) Has the work-ethic Weber identifies created this present situation? I loved the book African Friends and Money Matters. It identifies a fundamental difference between African and Western views of money. African culture has an expectation of sharing your monetary wealth with others (others-focused), Western culture focuses on accumulating personal wealth (self-focused). I hope this time of economic dis-ease can move us toward a more African mindset and not a Greek mindset. A little less comfort may help us find our way.
Thanks Rodger...good musings. I thing Shaeffer would tell us that we should use our wealth compassionately, for the well-being of others. He also would probably encourage us to wrestle with our pursuit of comfort, being willing to sacrifice comfort for the greater things in life, such as love of neighbor and freedom to enjoy life.
Mike...I LOVE that your brought up that book. Yes, the African mindset certainly is different, isn't it. But even within that structure people are still looking out for self. It may take a different form, but the pursuit of self-interest is also within that context. And, I think what you allude to is correct...We are a part of a cultural history...we are a part of a system that has been developing for centuries. As such it is not an easy thing to set aside. Still, I think we need to work hard at finding ways to do battle with our culture, as Schaeffer points out. Thanks Mike.
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