The rise of individualism in the Western world can be traced back to Jean-Jacques Rousseau and his exploration of the inner self and authorization of emotions.
Continual technological developments disrupt our sense of self and community, requiring us to find ways to counteract these effects and foster embodiment and connection.
Romanticism has shaped our understanding of identity, truth, and art, diverging from traditional Christian beliefs and highlighting the need for Christians to engage with self-expression while recognizing its limitations.
Deep dives
Rousseau's Influence on Modern Selfhood and Identity
Karl Truman discusses the impact of Jean-Jacques Rousseau's ideas on modern selfhood and identity. He explains how the rise of the individual and the emphasis on inward feelings have shaped our understanding of who we are. Rousseau's exploration of the inner space and the authorization of emotions in the 18th century set the stage for the increasing importance of subjective identity. Truman highlights the significance of this shift in the way we experience reality and its implications for modern society.
The Exploration of Anthropology and the Role of Technology
Truman delves into the exploration of anthropology and its connection to technology. He emphasizes the role of technology in shaping our understanding of the world and our place in it. Truman highlights the challenges posed by continual technological developments, which create a sense of disruption and make it difficult to establish a stable sense of self. He also discusses the impact of social acceleration and the need to find ways to counteract the destabilizing effects of technology in order to foster a sense of embodiment and community.
The Influence of Romanticism and the Shift in Moral Imagination
Truman explores the influence of Romanticism on our cultural moment. He highlights key elements of Romanticism such as inwardness, intensity of emotion, and a focus on the individual's feelings and experiences. Truman discusses how Romanticism diverged from traditional Christian beliefs and shaped our understanding of identity, truth, and the role of art. He emphasizes the need for Christians to engage with the Romantic ideals of self-expression and inward exploration, while also recognizing the challenges and limitations of this cultural shift.
Complicity of the Church and the Importance of Hospitality
Truman acknowledges the complicity of the church in societal issues related to sexual ethics, racial politics, and consumerist culture. He emphasizes the need for Christians to engage with these issues and to acknowledge the ways in which the church has contributed to them. Truman suggests that hospitality can play a significant role in bringing about positive change within the church and society. He encourages Christians to create spaces of genuine connection and embodiment, where the fullness of human dignity can be experienced and lived out.
Navigating a Post-Christian Society with Hope
Truman discusses the challenges of living in a post-Christian society, where societal values often diverge from Christian beliefs. He emphasizes the importance of preaching hope and the return of Christ as a response to feelings of powerlessness and despair. Truman highlights the need for Christians to maintain their focus on the things of heaven and to resist becoming caught up in political and cultural battles. He encourages Christians to approach societal challenges with a full understanding of the Christian narrative and to seek ways to embody the hope and love of Christ in their daily lives.
“Be true to yourself” is a dominant refrain in the Western world, but how has individualism come to be such a prominent feature of Western thought? To what extent is that individualism Christian?
Glen Scrivener and Andrew Wilson are joined by Carl Trueman, author of The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self and Strange New World, to answer those questions and continue their discussion of our post-Christian world.
Beginning with Rousseau, they trace the ways in which our idea of the modern self has transformed and shaped our understanding of anthropology. Particularly touching on the transformations which have happened in our understanding of marriage, divorce and sex, they ask in what ways the church has become complicit in these changes and to what extent these individualistic assumptions have come to shape both the church and the world.
Credits:
Post-Christianity? is a podcast from The Gospel Coalition and The Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics. Learn more about The Keller Center here.
The Good Book Company is the publisher of The Air We Breathe by Glen Scrivener. For 25% off books on Christianity and culture, go to thegoodbook.com/postpodcast.
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