Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith & Culture The Cost of Ambition (with Miroslav Volf)
Nov 25, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Miroslav Volf, a leading public theologian and professor at Yale, explores the intricate relationship between ambition and spirituality. He reveals how cultural pressures can lead individuals to constantly compare themselves to others, ultimately harming their self-worth and relationships. Volf distinguishes between healthy ambition and harmful superiority striving, urging listeners to ground their worth in God's affirmation. He also critiques modern meritocracy and discusses the impact of technology on our competitive natures.
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Yale Students Who Lost Their 'Top' Identity
- Volf noticed Yale students losing identity after moving from being top in school to one among many peers.
- That observation sparked his interest in writing about ambition and superiority.
Escalator Moment That Exposed Pride
- Miroslav Volf avoided moving walkways and felt superior for burning calories while others rode.
- Later a bad back forced him to ride, exposing how flimsy that feeling of superiority was.
The Self-Undermining Loop Of Superiority
- Striving to be superior traps you in a cycle of loathing and applause that prevents inner rest.
- This unstable self-evaluation undermines self-worth and robs you of contentment.
