<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The worldview of human beings is ultimately built on one of two foundations: either man\u2019s word or God\u2019s Word. Christians understand there is no other true foundation than Jesus Christ and the importance of building spiritual fruit by His grace (1 Cor. 3:11\u201315). Yet, by cultivating the self-exalting ideas of mankind apart from God\u2019s authority, the \u201cautonomous man\u201d emerges, naturally desiring to become an authority unto himself. As the definition goes, the autonomous man believes and attempts to demonstrate that he can govern himself without acknowledging the Creator God. Instead, his worldview becomes one of selfism<\/em>, fueled by postmodern thinking, and affecting his personal and public spheres of influence. As individuals look to the subjective self for answers to issues of morality, identity (including race, gender, and sexual orientation), and politics, the biblical God and Holy Scriptures are suppressed as the true means of objective, ultimate authority. This essay will examine the tyranny of selfism and how the so-called autonomous man cannot save himself. Rather, it is the gospel of Jesus Christ and His selfless<\/em> demonstration of love that saves sinners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To further understand selfism, twentieth-century apologist Cornelius Van Til rightly highlighted the heart behind the notion of \u201cfallen man.\u201d He wrote, \u201c[T]hrough the fall of Adam man has set aside the law of his Creator and therewith has become a law to himself.\u201d[1]<\/a> Van Til\u2019s reasoning for man\u2019s pursuit of self-governance included his \u201ccarnal mind\u201d leading to death, whereby the spiritually minded man experiences life and peace (Rom. 8:6). Theologian and professor Carl Trueman helpfully defines the self as \u201cexpressive individualism,\u201d or the \u201cdeeper notion of where the \u2018real me\u2019 is to be found, how that shapes my view of life, and in what the fulfillment or happiness of that \u2018real me\u2019 consists.\u201d[2]<\/a> To extend the connection to the level of autonomy, Trueman continues, \u201cThe modern self assumes the authority of inner feelings and sees authenticity as defined by the ability to give social expression to the same.\u201d[3]<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Restated simply, selfism believes that as long as an individual\u2019s behavior on theoutside<\/em> is consistent with the individual\u2019s feelings on the inside<\/em>, then that individual is therefore an authentic person, demonstrating self-governance. However, allowing emotions to lead an individual\u2019s behavior at the expense of truth\u2019s anchor marks the beginnings of all types of sabotage<\/a>, as Joe Rigney has brilliantly written in his discerning book<\/a> on leadership.[4]<\/a> Historically, selfism was arguably the fuel that sparked the sexual revolution, which has accelerated since the 1960\u2019s counter-cultural revolution, or what Os Guinness has rightly termed \u201coptimistic humanism.\u201d[5]<\/a> The chain reaction from selfism\u2019s lie of \u201cmaking a lifestyle choice\u201d has curved in upon itself, causing tyranny to rule man\u2019s identity\u2014an identity idolized and affirmed through sexual desire. Selfism tyrannizes identity and biblical sexuality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The subjective nature of pursuing personal autonomy for definitive answers about identity sharply conflicts with the authority of God\u2019s Word. In Jeremiah 17:9, the LORD God says, \u201cThe heart is deceitful about all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?\u201d This passage indicates that individuals cannot discern their own internal motives. External sources of objective authority are necessary, namely, God\u2019s Word (Ps. 119:105) and His Spirit (Rom. 8:27). So then, if we cannot trust<\/em> our motives, how can we govern<\/em> them?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Canadian philosopher Charles Taylor offered an insightful analysis of the modern secular age and the culture of emotion-based authenticity. He saw it as the normative modern conception of selfism in the West, where individuals realize their humanity on the \u201cinside\u201d rather than surrendering it to some \u201coutside\u201d source (society, tradition, religion, etc.). He wrote, \u201cEach one of us has his\/her own way of realizing our humanity, and . . . it is important to find and live out one\u2019s own, as against surrendering to conformity with a model imposed on us from the outside.\u201d[6]<\/a> This sentiment promotes autonomy through liberation, or casting off restraint, where subjective lived experiences and even hedonism are exalted above objective truth. Selfism is the ultimate campaign promoter for pleasure-seeking, even at the expense of creational fruitfulness<\/a>. Through the resulting tyranny in society, culture is deconstructed and reconstructed through varying degrees of Cultural Marxism (via Critical Race Theory, Intersectionality, and DEI policies), and the pursuit of God becomes a matter of false doctrine to selfism\u2019s \u201cgospel\u201d of autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ironically, there are several character qualities that benefit individuals and societies from taking heed to our inner selves. In the Old Testament, as Solomon was preparing to be king, God appeared to him in a dream and said, \u201cAsk! What shall I give you?\u201d As Solomon acknowledged the mercy of God and his own lack of experience, he humbly asked God for an understanding heart to discern between good and evil as a leader (1 Kgs. 3:5\u20139). There is a humility in self-awareness as long as it is informed by and consistent with God\u2019s Word. Consider the apostle Paul\u2019s encouragement to the church in Galatia for believers to express the fruit of the Spirit. Although these spiritual qualities serve as helpful guides in building a better self, even a biblical self, the qualities refocus our attention outward to serve others as demonstrations of selflessness manifested by love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22\u201323). Paul tells us there is no law against these qualities; they do not need self-governance because they are sourced in our perfect and holy God Almighty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To battle the spirit of selfism, individuals must repent of their pride-filled selves. The apostle Peter exhorts that it is high time to \u201chumble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time\u201d (1 Pet. 5:6). Only those individuals truly \u201cunder God\u201d (His governance) as saved by and submitted to Jesus Christ and sanctified by the Holy Spirit can embrace a complete identity built on the gospel of His grace (Matt. 7:24\u201325; John 3:3\u20136).<\/p>\n\n\n\n In his essay<\/a> on autonomy, Pierce Taylor Hibbs writes<\/a>, \u201cIf we refuse to admit our dependence and our need for help, we not only frustrate ourselves; we isolate <\/em>ourselves. And isolation makes us easy targets for Satan and his servants.\u201d This refusal to submit to God rings true in Proverbs 18:1, \u201cA man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment\u201d (NKJV). Selfism eventually leads to isolation, resulting in destruction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In his psalm exalting the name of the Lord, King David asks, \u201cWhat is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him\u201d (Ps. 8:4, NKJV)? He continues by stating that man has been made a little lower than the angels and he has dominion (governance) over creation (Psalms 8:5\u20138). In refusing to acknowledge God\u2019s excellence, it is easy for man to go astray, to be wise in his own eyes, and to pursue the kingdom of self. The apostle John reminds us of where the boastful pride of life comes from in 1 John 2:16: Selfism is worldly and not from God; He opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (Jas. 4:6).<\/p>\n\n\n\n To battle selfism\u2019s falsehoods, the apostle Paul asserts, \u201cWe are destroying arguments and all arrogance raised against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ\u201d (2 Cor. 10:5). Those thoughts include how we view ourselves. In order for us to have an accurate view of self, confession plays a critical role in a Christian\u2019s prayer life. When believers confess their sins, they say the same thing God says about them. There is personal agreement with God\u2019s always-accurate assessment. And \u201cHe is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness\u201d (1 John 1:9).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Additionally, we are sanctified by the truth of God\u2019s Word (John 17:17), which encourages us to keep Christ\u2019s commands because He<\/em> is able to keep us. Repentant man fills his mind with Christ and does not seek his own desire. We are told in Luke 9:23 to deny self, take up our cross daily, and follow Christ. Selfism cannot<\/em> be Christ\u2019s disciple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our selfless Savior demonstrated His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Rom. 5:8). Autonomous man would not serve<\/em> others, so he especially would not demonstrate an others-centered love such as dying for a friend. But what did Jesus say (and do)? \u201cGreater love has no one than this, than to lay down one\u2019s life for his friends\u201d (John 15:13). The finished work of Christ\u2019s cross and resurrection has the power to strike selfism from the heart of autonomous man.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In Hebrews chapter two, the author discusses subjection, including the role of man\u2019s dominion from Psalm 8 mentioned above. Since Christ recognizes humans as God’s image-bearers, it is humbling to know He even considers us in any capacity. Yet, Hebrews rightly draws us away from notions of man\u2019s supposed sovereignty based in selfism. The writer concludes by drawing us near to Jesus, seen without hindrance, \u201cwho was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings\u201d (Heb. 2:9-10). Repentant man subjects his once autonomous self and now glories in the selfless Savior, who is the author and perfecter of our faith, the I AM who holds all things together by the word of His power (Heb. 12:2; 1:3). So then, seek first the kingdom of God as you slay the dragon of selfism.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSelfism and the Real Me<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Cornelius Van Til, A Christian Theory of Knowledge<\/em>, ed. Scott Oliphant (Glenside, PA: Westminster Seminary Press, 2023), 34.<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
2. Carl R. Trueman, Strange New World: How Thinkers and Activists Redefined Identity and Sparked the Sexual Revolution<\/em> (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2022), 21\u201322.<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
3. Trueman, Strange New World,<\/em> 22.<\/h6>\n\n\n\n4. Joe Rigney, Leadership and Emotional Sabotage: Resisting the Anxiety that will Wreck Your Family, Destroy Your Church, and Ruin the World<\/em> (Moscow, ID: Canon Press, 2024).<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
5. Os Guinness, The Dust of Death: The Sixties Counterculture and How it Changed America Forever<\/em> (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2020), 11.<\/h6>\n\n\n\nSelfism\u2019s Tyranny on Culture<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
6. James K. A. Smith, How (Not) to be Secular: Reading Charles Taylor <\/em>(Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2014), 85, 141.<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
The Selfless Savior<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n