discuss: individualism and christianity
Okay, so thus far I’ve been able to avoid an Olympic-themed article. But I am really into the Games right now and I watch what I can.
Apparently the folks over at Boundless are too, and they share my enthusiasm for the Americans in the 4×100 Free…what a race! But later on down the article, they talk about how it seems that a lot of nations, Eastern nations in particular, really have no ego and sense of self; it’s all about the team, the country. Or, in the case of some of the Aussies and Kiwis in the Land Down Under, there’s definitely a sense of making one’s country proud. But the Americans have somewhat of a reputation for being all about themselves, however true that may be.
But it makes you think. Two articles from this week are looking, either directly or indirectly, at the concept of unity. I look at how individalistic we as Americans are, and I can’t help but wonder if it is this that is hurting our church. Jesus says in John 17 that He wants His people to be one so that the world will believe we’re for real, but I can’t help but wonder if we spend too much time focusing on the personal end of things.
Question:
Do you think that the ideal of American (or Western) individualism hurts the cause of Christ? What can we do to address this?
