I advocate Christian Individualism. How can I do that? Many Christians believe Individualism is bad. Many believe it is incompatible with Scripture. Others believe Scripture has little to say on the issue.
It’s a hot topic. In a recent video by The Gospel Coalition, Don Carson said, “The Bible does not go around condemning individualism.” So what does the Bible say?
Have you ever asked this? I want to share a helpful way of understanding what worship consists of.
We can worship God because he has spoken. That’s where worship in the Bible starts: God speaking. If he had not told us who he is and what pleases him, we would have no way to worship him. It is helpful to understand worship as a sequence: God’s revelation to us, and our response to him. In God’s revealed word he shows how he wants us to respond. He doesn’t leave us guessing how to worship him.
When you ask “why be moral?” your answer needs to be more than, “Because it’s the right thing to do.” That is circular. What makes something the right thing? What goal does a man achieve by doing right?
Some answer that, “Virtue is it’s own reward.” Others answer that “Morality benefits others, and that is what really matters.”
But what motivation does Scripture offer? Your life. Your reward.
I went looking for Christian fans of Ayn Rand. Here are the results of my search.
If your interests are similar to mine, these lists could save you a lot of time. My search answers the question:
Is belief in Jesus compatible with conservative or libertarian political ideas?
I found only a handful of Christians who were enthusiastic about Rand’s ideas. You can find us here.
I’ve noticed many Christian writers denouncing Rand and any attempt at a political coalition between the Tea Party conservatives and the fans or devotees of Rand.
My guess is that most Christians (even most Christian leaders or pastors) have not heard of Rand. Of those who have heard of her, I think 95% have strong dislike of her, but only rarely is their opinion formed from actually reading her.
Meanwhile, mainstream Christianity is moving toward more overt socialism/collectivism politically.
But social media has allowed the Tea Party or libertarian Christians to gain somewhat of an audience. Though the base is still small, there are many more Christians thinking clearly about liberty and rights today than at any time in the past century.
As a Christian Rand fan myself, I hope to speak to Christians about the need to take Rand’s ideas seriously. Though Christians will not agree with all the answers Rand offered, we will be better off when we begin to ask the questions she asked.
A Christian is a worker and a servant. Here are six biblical exhortations to serve. Like the servants in the parable of the talents, we work to share in our master’s blessings!
1. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works… that we should walk in them (Eph 2:10).
