Rock My Worldview

We talk a lot, especially in the midst of the postmodern and emergent philosophical/theological movements, about challenges to our worldview. Most of us have accepted the proposition that our acculturation determines in large part how we think, and the values we hold; only those with true intellectual strength can break free and start thinking in “new” ways.

Typically this pits progressives and traditionalists, liberals and conservatives against each other, with worldviews that seem starkly different. I no longer see it that way.

About six months ago a friend recommended Murray Jardine‘s The Making and Unmaking of Technological Society, a book that is less about technology, and more about the ethical and philosophical implications of technological advancement (Well, that’s what it’s about so far, because it’s 300 pages of indescribably small text, and I’m only halfway through).

What I’ve learned is this: whatever group you’re a part of in American politics, your worldview, at its most basic, is the same. Progressive, liberal, conservative, or traditionalist – for the American, liberty is the value that is held above all others. All groups are arguing from the same basic perspective.

Not only that, we all have the same idea of freedom. We rarely disagree when it comes to that definition. We see life for the individual as free from obligation, except to his children. And once they’re 18, that obligation is gone, as well.

This view of freedom has led to unconscionable levels of familial, social, environmental, and economic irresponsibility. And I’m only just beginning to see how deeply it has affected me, and my views on marriage, parenting, politics, theology, and ecclesiology.

If you’re not afraid to have everything you understand as an American exposed as the straw house that it is, I recommend Jardine’s book to you. ChristianBook.com has it for $1.99 at the moment, which is drastically undervaluing its importance. But it makes a great deal for anyone interested.