Individualism's Expression at Virginia Tech
I've been reading the news reports just like you have over the last several days. I have been horrified at what happened on the campus of Virginia Tech. It's too early to start drawing conclusions about what transpired and why. In my opinion, that's not what really matters at this point. We simply need to be praying for the families, friends, and all those involved at VT.I do, however, have one observation that I would like to make. I was reading an article from Breitbart.com, and over and over again it was mentioned that the young man who went on this shooting rampage was an isolationist. Said those who knew the man, "He was a loner," and "He was very quiet, always by himself," and then "He didn't reach out to anyone. He never talked."
Then I read this:
Some classmates said that on the first day of a British literature class last year, the 30 or so students went around and introduced themselves. When it was Cho's turn, he didn't speak.I find it very intriguing, and not at all surprising, that one who had isolated himself from all others would identify himself with a question mark.
On the sign-in sheet where everyone else had written their names, Cho had written a question mark. "Is your name, 'Question mark?'" classmate Julie Poole recalled the professor asking. The young man offered little response.
My theological education here at Wesley Biblical Seminary has instilled in me the idea that one can only be a person in the context of a loving relationship to another. That, by definition, is what a person is. In Dennis Kinlaw's book, Preaching in the Spirit, he writes, "The very word person entered our language from the Trinitarian discussions of the early church...No person can be understood in isolation. Persons are not created that way. Even divine persons do not live that way." (76) The great challenge of the 21st century is going to be whether or not the church can answer the great question of postmodernity, "Who am I?"
Hollywood isn't going to give the right answers to this question. Consider the concept of personhood that comes from such a blockbuster hit as American Psycho (2000). This plot line from IMDB: "A wealthy New York investment banking executive hides his alternate psychopathic ego from his co-workers and friends as he escalates deeper into his illogical, gratuitous fantasies." Everything in the life of the lead character (played by Christian Bale) is perfect. Yet, in his mind, "To be is to consume." The message portrayed is that if "I don’t want to be consumed, I must consume." So he becomes a serial killing cannibal.
How are we going to change the minds of the folks in our churches, as well as our whole culture, that personhood is not equivalent to individualism? When will we begin to realize that the answer to the question of our personal identity is not found in autonomy? Individualism only leads to depersonalization and destruction. In my estimation, the answers to these questions can only be found in the social Trinity. But what exactly that means is another discussion for another day. In the meantime, let's pray for God's comfort and healing in such a difficult time.
Labels: church, personhood
1 Comments:
Sean, you are correct to say that we must look to the Trinity for who we are to be. I believe it was Gabriel Marcel who said "to be is to be in relationship." In my sort pastoral life I have met few who really understand what it means to be a person. I have struggled with it for a while myself. Growing up in a non-christian home that was disfunctionel in ever way...I was never taught or showed real relationship. I lived a life of isolation because what relationships I did have always crumbled, so I stayed to myself. This was modeled to me by everyone around...in addition I was showed that self-interest was king and I is all that really mattered. As encounter people daily I see people that in ways have the same kind of background. One thing that has helped me is the doctrine of the Trinity. I am in Awe of God the Father, Son and Spirit and the mutual “love and care” that exist in the Godhead. Stephen Seamands writes in his book “Ministry in the Image of God” triune relations are the essential paradigm, our basic model for human relationships and relationships in the church. This has affected the way I relate to my wife, kids and all those around me. I would like to write more, but this week is really busy with our district assembly. Thanks Heath
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