Strange New World

1. The modern self is defined by expressive individualism and inner feelings

Expressive individualism holds that each person has a unique core of feeling and intuition that should unfold or be expressed if individuality is to be realized.

Authenticity through expression. The modern self assumes that inner feelings and intuitions are the ultimate authority in defining one's identity. This view holds that true authenticity is achieved by outwardly expressing one's inward feelings and desires. The concept of expressive individualism has become deeply ingrained in modern culture, shaping how we think about personal identity, morality, and social interactions.

Implications for society. This shift towards prioritizing individual expression has far-reaching consequences:

• It challenges traditional social norms and institutions
• It redefines concepts of morality and ethics
• It impacts how we approach education, relationships, and personal fulfillment
• It creates tension between individual desires and societal expectations

2. Historical thinkers shaped our understanding of identity and morality

We are our own masters. We might put it another way, using an analogy of which Nietzsche himself is fond: we are artists and, as such, we are tasked with the art of self-creation.

Philosophical foundations. Key thinkers like Rousseau, Marx, Nietzsche, and Freud laid the groundwork for our modern conception of self:

• Rousseau emphasized the importance of inner feelings and criticized societal corruption
• Marx viewed human relations primarily through an economic lens
• Nietzsche challenged traditional morality and advocated for self-creation
• Freud placed sexual desires at the center of human identity and happiness

Cultural transformation. These ideas, while not universally read or understood, have permeated Western culture, shaping our social imaginary – the way we intuitively understand ourselves and the world around us. This has led to a rejection of traditional sources of meaning and morality, paving the way for the modern, psychologized self.

3. The sexual revolution redefined identity and challenged traditional norms

If a person is in some deep sense the sexual desires that they experience, then how society treats those desires is an extremely important political question.

Sexuality as identity. The sexual revolution of the 20th century fundamentally altered how we view human identity. Sex shifted from being merely an act to a core aspect of personal identity. This change was driven by:

• Freud's emphasis on sexual desires as central to human happiness
• The work of Wilhelm Reich and others who politicized sexuality
• Technological advances like contraception and pornography
• Cultural shifts in media and education

Societal impact. This redefinition of identity has profound implications:

• It challenges traditional sexual norms and family structures
• It makes sexual freedom a political and civil rights issue
• It reshapes legal and social policies around gender and sexuality
• It creates tension between sexual expression and religious beliefs

4. Technology and cultural shifts have created a plastic, liquid world

The modern cultural imagination sees the world as raw material to be shaped by the human will.

Malleability of reality. Technological advancements and cultural changes have created a world where traditional fixed points of identity and meaning are increasingly fluid:

• Geographic and physical limitations are overcome by technology
• Traditional sources of authority (church, family, nation) are weakened
• Information technology allows for diverse and competing narratives
• The concept of a "sacred order" underpinning morality has eroded

New communities and identities. In this plastic world, individuals can:

• Choose from a multitude of identities and communities
• Reshape their physical bodies to match inner feelings
• Connect with like-minded people globally, transcending local cultures
• Constantly reinvent themselves through online personas and social media

5. The LGBTQ+ movement exemplifies the modern self and challenges institutions

The LGBTQ+ movement is without a doubt the greatest political success story of the last half century.

Rapid cultural transformation. The LGBTQ+ movement embodies the principles of expressive individualism and has achieved unprecedented cultural and legal recognition:

• It challenges traditional concepts of gender and sexuality
• It redefines marriage and family structures
• It pushes for legal protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity
• It influences corporate policies, education, and public discourse

Tensions and contradictions. The movement also reveals internal conflicts:

• Disagreements between different groups within the LGBTQ+ coalition
• Challenges to traditional feminism from transgender ideology
• Debates over the nature of identity and the role of biology
• Conflicts with religious freedoms and traditional moral frameworks

6. Traditional freedoms of speech and religion are under pressure

The era when Christians could disagree with the broader convictions of the secular world and yet still find themselves respected as decent members of society at large is coming to an end, if indeed it has not ended already.

Shifting cultural landscape. Traditional freedoms of speech and religion are increasingly challenged in the modern context:

• Religious beliefs about sexuality and marriage are labeled as bigotry
• Freedom of speech is reframed as potentially harmful to marginalized groups
• Academic freedom is challenged by calls for "safe spaces" and content warnings
• Corporate policies and social media platforms restrict certain viewpoints

New conceptions of harm. The psychologized self leads to a redefinition of harm:

• Emotional or psychological discomfort is equated with physical harm
• Disagreement with someone's identity is seen as an attack on their personhood
• Traditional moral frameworks are viewed as inherently oppressive
• The concept of "microaggressions" expands the scope of perceived harm

7. Christians must navigate this strange new world with wisdom and conviction

We are all, to some extent, complicit in what we see happening around us. To put it bluntly, we all share more or less the same social imaginary.

Self-examination and repentance. Christians must recognize their own complicity in the culture of expressive individualism:

• Examine how consumer mentality has influenced church participation
• Reflect on how personal happiness has become central to faith expression
• Repent of ways in which biblical truth has been compromised for cultural acceptance

Positive Christian response. To navigate this new world, Christians should:

• Build strong, loving communities that embody biblical values
• Teach the whole counsel of God, grounding believers in robust theology
• Shape intuitions through biblical worship, especially through thoughtful song choices
• Recover natural law and a theology of the body to explain Christian ethics
• Engage culture with wisdom, humility, and a commitment to truth and love

Last updated: August 8, 2024