The American Dream versus The Gospel
Can the “American dream” truly be reconciled with the call for self-sacrifice found in the Christian Gospel? That is the subject of David Brooks’ latest column:
When Europeans first settled this continent, they saw the natural abundance and came to two conclusions: that God’s plan for humanity could be realized here, and that they could get really rich while helping Him do it. This perception evolved into the notion that we have two interdependent callings: to build in this world and prepare for the next.
The tension between good and plenty, God and mammon, became the central tension in American life, propelling ferocious energies and explaining why the U.S. is at once so religious and so materialist. Americans are moral materialists, spiritualists working on matter.
Platt is in the tradition of those who don’t believe these two spheres can be reconciled. The material world is too soul-destroying. “The American dream radically differs from the call of Jesus and the essence of the Gospel,” he argues. The American dream emphasizes self-development and personal growth. Our own abilities are our greatest assets.
But the Gospel rejects the focus on self: “God actually delights in exalting our inability.” The American dream emphasizes upward mobility, but “success in the kingdom of God involves moving down, not up.”
The Christian Gospel compatible with greed? No, certainly not. But must we forsake the ideals encapsulated in “the American dream” to lead lives in accordance with the Christian message?
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May '10
Re: The American Dream versus The Gospel
I agree with Mollie and others here.
If "self-made" is understood radically--as if everything we are and everything we have isn't a gift from God--then it's in conflict with the gospel.
And if the American dream is understood in material terms--more stuff for me--then it's in conflict with the gospel.
But if "self-made" is understood in terms of virtue, and if individualism is understood as over and against a stultifying collectivism, then it is not only compatible with the gospel, it is dependent on the gospel. No non-Christian society ever could have conceived it.
"I have not called you slaves, but friends."
May '10
Re: The American Dream versus The Gospel
Maybe we've forgotten the core of the American Dream? It's not to make as much money as possible, or even to be a "rugged individualist". The heart of the American Dream is to leave your children better off than you were -- to give your family a better life and for them to do the same.
That's not at all incompatible with the Christian life.
Jun '10
Re: The American Dream versus The Gospel
Yes. and the dream is MY dream - whatever that is - being realized BECAUSE I have the freedom to make it so. It will require a life's work, and it might take my family multiple generations of hard work, but no politician can stop me or take it from me and live off of my labor!
It might be a life patterned after spirit, religious freedom, or scientific understanding, or material prosperity, or a better mousetrap, - or all the above.
And THAT seems to me supremely Christian.
May '10
Re: The American Dream versus The Gospel
Nope. That's the human dream. People of every nation hope for that. I'd say rugged individualism is the defining principle of American culture.
Let's also keep in mind that, while there are standards toward which we all should strive, God didn't create us to be the same. Like puzzle pieces, our wondrously various personalities and cultures fit together to form a greater whole.
While rugged individualism is not exactly a Biblical virtue, I believe it is not coincidental that our culture emerged as the rest of the world has gravitated toward collectivism.
Jun '10
Re: The American Dream versus The Gospel
Diane Ellis, Ed.
the concepts of "rugged individualism" and the "self-made man." These ideas, closely related to the somewhat nebulous American dream, seem more difficult to defend as consistent with the Gospel.
Rugged is a type of individualism; one that implies toughness, strength, and determination in the face of challenge. It is understanding who and what one is and values, and taking whatever steps are necessary to honor that. It is also the recognition that other people may not honor it, and may value other things, but that does not matter. I know who I am and what is important, and I make sure it gets honored.
Self-made is really an extreme form of rugged individualist. It is someone who was not given a silver spoon, or handed their success. They had to create it in the face of other's lack of support.
In process, these are certainly not antithetical to Christianity. The question becomes - Who do you think you are? and What do you value? If you value truth, knowledge, thriving, justice/love, and beauty in terms of the triumph of the human spirit - then JC was the ultimate self-made rugged individualist. A true American!
Jun '10
Re: The American Dream versus The Gospel
The irony, from my perspective, is that chasing the Joneses is absolutely NOT the American dream. It is accepting other people's values as worthy of your TERCI Time/Energy/Relationships/Capital/Intelligence. It is not knowing who you are, and what is truly valuable.
The American Dream is to follow your own deepest vision, your truth, your own drummer. We came here to be free. End of story. Beginning of life.
America is the land of discovery, of possibility, of true wealth - about liberty to pursue our deepest happiness according to our own conscience, not consumerism and fame and status! Whose values are those? Europeans/aristocrats - Advertisers! America is about leaving all that behind.
Those who are lost in silly values...are still asleep. It is time for America to wake up to the real values, and free ourselves to pursue them.
In the process, we can help others wake up to the truth through example, not coercion.
Aug '10
Re: The American Dream versus The Gospel
Mark Lewis
The irony, from my perspective, is that chasing the Joneses is absolutely NOT the American dream.
...America is the land of discovery, of possibility, of true wealth - about liberty to pursue our deepest happiness according to our own conscience, not consumerism and fame and status! Whose values are those? Europeans/aristocrats - Advertisers! America is about leaving all that behind.
Wow, Mark. Words cannot express how wholeheartedly I agree with this.
Keeping up with the Joneses is an Old-World value in my mind, too, and one unbecoming to true opportunity and prosperity.
Human beings are for some reason naturally predisposed to envy and status-seeking, but I do think that America has, however imperfectly, done more than any other place to shake off those yokes in favor of pursuing real well-being.
May '10
Re: The American Dream versus The Gospel
Mollie Hemingway
But having said that, I remember hearing Chief Justice William Rehnquist (a fellow Lutheran) answer a question about why there weren't more Lutherans in high office. He said it had to do with our contentedness and understanding of vocation -- that we are to serve God where we are at any given time. Of course, this need not mean we avoid high office. · Sep 7 at 8:07pm
Mollie, I'm curious to hear what you think about the high number of Catholics in high profile positions like the Supreme Court, despite the close similarities with Lutheranism.
Jul '10
Re: The American Dream versus The Gospel
Platt is ignoring the parable of the talents where the third servant is chastised for not taking what was given him and increasing its value like the first two servants. There is nothing inherently wrong with making money. As a Christian, the call is to use what one is blessed with to further His Kingdom. There is an evangelistic aspect that is supposed to be the basis of Christian charity that is ignored when we allow government or secular programs to supplant them. The idea of American rugged individualism has more to do with man's relation to the state than to His Creator. You can look through examples of the Patriarchs who were blessed by God, but who from a secular perspective would be considered self-made men.
May '10
Re: The American Dream versus The Gospel
Some time ago I came across an interesting quote by John Wesley. He begins, "Wherever true Christianity spreads, it must cause diligence and frugality, which, in the natural course of things, must beget riches!"
But it doesn't end there. Wesley continues, "And riches naturally beget pride, love of the world, and every temper that is destructive of Christianity. Now, if there be no way to prevent this, Christianity is inconsistent with itself and, of consequence, cannot stand, cannot continue long among any people; since, wherever it generally prevails, it saps its own foundation." John Wesley, in the sermon 'Causes of the Inefficacy of Christianity'.
So, in a sense, the American Dream is the natural result of Judeo-Christian values put to work. The solution to Wesley's conundrum lies in the recognition that we are stewards of the wealth God enables us to create, and we will one day give account to Him for how we have used it.
Jul '10
Re: The American Dream versus The Gospel
This has been a fascinating conversation all told and I've learned a lot about how Christians view their own faith. Thank you, everyone.
I'm not really qualified to talk about Christianity specifically, but what some see as an inherent connection between accumulation of wealth and status on the one hand, and falling into a life of sins related to that accumulation is not at all inevitable. The fall into sinfulness is a choice by those who have accumulated wealth to allow themselves to be swept away by its negative effects like pride, vanity and greed, for example. A person may still accumulate wealth, status, power, etc., but can stand firm against allowing their pious actions or faith to falter in the face of such accumulation.
Thus, the American Dream, to make, by one's own efforts, a comfortable and profitable life for themselves and their family, is not by any means at odds with living a pious lifestyle. In the same way that a poor person is not at all guaranteed to be a good person simply for being poor, a rich person is not at all guaranteed to be a sinful person simply for being rich.
May '10
Re: The American Dream versus The Gospel
The Bible actually addresses the issue of wealth directly. Some Fundamentalist Christians object to wealth outright, citing Matthew 19:24:
But their belief is the result of taking the line out of context. Immediately after that line, Matthew reads:
The New Testament is pretty clear that poverty is the ideal when individuals choose to be poor, but the wealthy can be accepted into Heaven.
Leftists confuse this ideal as promoting redistribution of wealth. Their view (1) rejects free will and (2) mistakenly asserts that the world has a limited total wealth, rather than a practically infinite capacity to produce more.
Poverty reminds us that we are utterly reliant on God. Wealth is good when it empowers our love for others, as a healthy body empowers one's ability to live. Any good thing can be used toward corrupt ends.
Jun '10
Re: The American Dream versus The Gospel
As an intellectual exercise, I'm fascinated by this examination of the "compatibility" of the American ideal and the Gospel. And I struggle with it just the same, because I love this country and believe the blessings we each have received to be precious indeed. But I remain mindful that this world, and this nation, is but a temporary phenomenon in the scope of time.
Is the American Dream compatible with the Gospel, yes, I believe so. But does the Gospel "flourish" here? On this, I'm not so sure. Worldwide, the most dynamic growth of Christianity is found in Africa and Asia - not generally known for their freedom-loving societies. That many of us here in America wrestle with the inherent tension between our relative prosperity and our faith speaks to at least an awareness of said tension - which perhaps undergirds much of our generous and charitable nature as a society.
God is no respecter of persons; He blesses whomever He chooses to bless. As Mr. Lindholtz said above, the best we can do is to walk faithfully, knowing that we will eventually have to give account for how we have used this gift.
Aug '10
Re: The American Dream versus The Gospel
What thoughtful comments thus far! This thread confirms my belief that American history can only be understood when viewed through the lens of theology. From the initial Pilgrim & Puritan settlements, through the revolutionary period, the most prominent theology was Calvinist/Reformed which holds a strong view of the sinfulness of man (total depravity) and the sovereignty of God in all things, including salvation. This view held primacy through the founding era which is why our system of government is tri-partite (Presbyterian) in form and why there are so many checks and balances (the founders understood the sinfulness of man). When the ideas from the french revolution began to affect theology, (think tabula rasa) the Arminian and semi-Peliagian theology of the second great awakening had the profound affect of creating the "American dream." If I can decide to become a Christian then I can also pull one's self up by one's bootstraps in this world. This ultimately expresses itself in the confusion of the two kingdoms in the liberal mainline do-gooder protestant churches on the left and in the christian right and in the prosperity gospel as well. My two cents.
Jul '10
Re: The American Dream versus The Gospel
First distinctions;
Love of money vs. love of Family.
But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
1 Timothy 5:8
Wanting the best for you and your family and earning (Got that EARNING) the money necessary to do so is not the same as worshiping the almighty dollar and denying all else for that goal.
I'm sorry but it is difficult at best to be charitable and concerned for the poor when you are broke and struggling to care for those closest to you. It also bulds resentment within one's family when you grant abundance to someone else before your own family.
Perhaps Mr. Brooks needs to pay attention a little more to the story of the Gospels. When Jesus spoke of Rich Men having trouble getting into heaven all (yes ALL) of the deciples became astonished and worried and asked "Who then can be saved."
Matthew 19:25
Working in one’s own self interest is not the same as Selfishness.
May '10
Re: The American Dream versus The Gospel
This debate is as old as Christianity and the first medieval “vow of poverty”. One wise theologian said “true humility is the act of being nothing”- neither arrogant in self-aggrandizing nor self-righteous in how humble you are. And true Christianity is neither making a god of riches nor a pride of poverty and generosity by redistributing the resources of others.
Since the rise of Oral Roberts and “Abundant Life”, there has been a strain of Protestantism that actively promoted the “prosperity gospel”- e.g., Kenneth Copeland, etc. Generally, these people tend to be pretty conservative, and all associated negatives inferred by secular writers are thus imputed to all conservative Evangelicals. The latter day Christian Left (yes, there really is such a thing, and I do not doubt their sincere Christianity) has been drumming on this issue for years; a popular lefty bumper sticker when I was younger (that doesn’t limit the time range much, does it?) said that “Jesus was a socialist, long-haired Jew.” Shane Claiborne preaches poverty as a requirement of “true” Christianity. Other lefties- Tony Campolo, Jim Wallis, live comfortably while promoting government re-distribution in the great tradition of the “Jesus the Socialist”.
May '10
Re: The American Dream versus The Gospel
My favorite Minnesota preacher, Greg Boyd, is a lefty, and he pastors a megachurch, by almost any definition- suburban, lots of people, multiple services, etc. A megachurch- not my own style- is perfectly compatible with devout and Kingdom-centered Christianity. There are as many perfectly acceptable ways to “do church” as there are hairstyles for Christians.
Platt’s story (which I have not read, but is likely to pretty well reflect a very good book by Cal Thomas and Ed Dobson- both worked for Jerry Falwell and became convinced that religion-as-politics is wrong, whether originating with James Dobson or John Shelby Spong) speaks to the personal, not the organization. Dr. Boyd, something of a pacifist, wrote a less useful book with a similar theme in 2006. The commenters above who pointed out that true New Testament Christianity is completely compatible with American market-based capitalism are quite correct. Yet Boyd is also correct- God really does not care whether you are a Republican or (gulp) a Democrat.
May '10
Re: The American Dream versus The Gospel
My own pastor says “If your Gospel isn’t applicable anywhere in the world, it isn’t right.” If physical comforts and temporal riches were true “abundant life”, someone in Haiti or Somalia who professes and lives Christianity would be hard-pressed to explain why God isn’t paying attention. The Apostle Paul and almost all of Jesus’ disciples were martyred; even John, who wasn’t executed for his faith, wasn’t living in great comfort on the prison colony of Patmos.
The prosperity issue evaporates down to the basic question: Where is your heart? Are you seeking gold, or are you simply applying “all thy might” to “whatsoever thy hand findeth to do”? (conservatives quoting the KJV…) If thy hand mightily applied generates wealth, God, who provided the blessings, expects you to generously apply the wealth to good things that further His cause, but He does not tell you to become John the Baptist. The key: don’t let those possessions take over your life- a very real concern because we are greedy, envious, fallible, weak humans.