Individualism

Lately I have been thinking about what I call the problem of individualism. Speaking colloquially, I would say this refers to the idea that “the whole world revolves around me” and “I don’t need to be bothered” with what other people think. For decades, our society has pounded into the minds of every American that we are each individually so special that sociologists refer to the “Me Generation”. It is the most American ideal which twists the idea of self-government to mean “Nobody can tell me what is right!” Nothing can be more demonic than a society that is focused on individualism.

The invitation from Christ to anyone wanting to be saved is the polar opposite of individualism. It was Christ, not Father Athanasios, who said, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow Me.” (Mark 8.34) That would mean, anything that exalts the self is the first step in the opposite direction of Christ. Our society, building on the lie Satan spoke to Eve (see Genesis 3.1-6) that God never really said what He said, is consumed with the self. Satan convinced Eve to focus on the self which took her further from God and closer to death.

Around every turn in our society, we come face to face with the repercussions of individualism. Recently I found myself in a discussion about modesty and ‘proper church attire’ in our modern day. “Father, we have to do something! The way people are coming to Church is so disrespectful!” It might be disrespectful, but to whom? In a society that is consumed with individualism, there is no consideration for others. In fact, any conversation about ‘proper church attire’ these days would cause a war between seniors and millennials. Can you imagine a debate on ‘just how short is too short’ for dress length? After all, it isn’t about the dress, it is about ME! Either the dress is too short for ME, or nobody can tell ME how short my dress should be. You can’t have modesty in a society devoted to individualism.

Individualism even makes its way into the Christian movement. In 2019 Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary estimated 45,000 Christian denominations were present in the world. In 2015, that number was 43,000, so we could presume another few thousand have been established since then. What do they all have in common? Keeping in mind that Orthodox Christianity is one denomination as is Roman Catholicism, the common thread is “I don’t like what my Church teaches, so I am starting my own Church.” A king wants to get divorced, but the Church doesn’t allow divorce? No problem! The King will establish his own Church. Put in a more modern context, if I don’t like what the preacher is preaching at 1st Avenue Church, I establish 2nd Avenue Church, etc. etc. etc.

The only way to heaven is through Christ. “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” (John 14.6) Take a moment and read today’s Gospel passage and ask yourself, “Am I following ME, or God?” One leads to salvation, while the other does not.

The Lord said to the Jews who had come to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber; but he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens; the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” This figure Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers; but the sheep did not heed them. I am the door; if any one enters by me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” – John 10.1-9