On Individualism and Christianity
I have heard some criticisms of the individualistic view of Christianity. While Christ, in establishing the Church, creates a new nation, a holy priesthood, and, in my mind, the only legitimate collective, there is a necessary element of individualism to our faith, unique among the world’s religions.
About 100 years ago a British newspaper posed the question to its readers: “What’s wrong with the world?” an asked for their responses.
G.K. Chesterton famously wrote in response:
Dear Sirs;
I am.
Sincerely,
G.K. Chesterton
It is this acknowledgment which sets Christianity apart. Since each of us has free will we each become responsible for our own behaviors. This is in contrast to the many fatalistic, idolatrous, pagan world religions in which it is someone else’s fault that things are the way they are. The modern equivalent to this is statism, wherein many of the problems with our world are laid at the feet of government.
Chesterton assumes full responsibility for the problems in the world. In this he emulates his Savior. The solution is not collective action, where responsibility can be dissolved or shirked. Rather it is in individual action. Each of us decides every day and every moment whether to do the right thing.
So Christianity is individualistic.
This all flows from the reality of sin, and our separation from God.
