I Am a Resident on a Planet In Desperate Need of Salvation
The Identity Trap hits a raw nerve. Not because Mounk’s thoughts challenge strongly held convictions, but because I am once again reminded of humanity’s brokenness. We live in a broken world filled with injustice. Dr. Sandra Richter speaks to our fractured reality in Stewards of Eden. She writes, “Yahweh’s world was a world in which there would never be hunger, homelessness, abuse, famine, genocide, or refugee camps. But as a result of the fall, all of these realities became resident on our planet.” [1] This is where I find myself as I navigate Mounk’s Identity Trap. I am a resident on a planet in desperate need of salvation, and a redeemed identity that can only reach complete fullness in Jesus Christ.
Whether we look to God for divine healing or attempt through human efforts, humanity desires salvation. Dr. Frank Macchia states, “Many in our society who might scoff at the idea of salvation will spend enormous amounts of money and time seeking their own version of it…at least some of these efforts are necessary and noble.” [2] As I consider Mounk’s ideas on identity synthesis, I can’t help but think, “the human version of salvation.” Mounk writes, “Many advocates of the identity synthesis are driven by a noble ambition: to remedy the serious injustices that continue to characterize every country in the world.” [3] Mounk does not deny the reality of injustice in our world. He does not deny that something should be done about the harms caused to humanity. However, the author encourages readers to analyze and access identity synthesis in a serious manner. [4]
I am not an expert in the areas of study that comprise Mounk’s identity synthesis. However, I am human, and I understand the natural safety felt in groups. But history has given more than its fair share of examples concerning harmful group agendas. Therefore, I sought the expertise found in Paul and Elder’s Critical Thinking and their description of Unethical Pursuit of Group Agendas. [5] The authors describe groupishness (group selfishness) as being driven by the following sociocentric forces [6]:
- Group reinforcement of ideas — through group validation
- Group control of members — through customs, conventions, taboos, rules, laws — often through punishment and reinforcement — but also through recruitment of members
- Group submission to those in control — through group members going along with group ideologies to survive in the group
The points outlined by Paul and Elder mirror the ideas presented in The Identity Trap. Mounk writes, “In the place of universalism [7], parts of the American mainstream are quickly adopting a form of progressive separatism… and of late, many institutions have taken yet another step: they have concluded that it is their duty to make how they treat people depend on the groups to which they belong.” [8] However, Paul and Elder note that group thought would not fall into the sociocentric category if it is reasonable, useful, or helpful. [9] I ask myself, “what is reasonable, useful, or helpful?” I imagine each group could easily argue their position possesses these traits. Therefore, I return to Paul and Elder and their 20 Barriers to Critical Societies. [10] I found the following barriers parallel those of Mounk’s arguments concerning identity synthesis:
- Do not understand human thinking (their own or others’) or the impediments to reasonability.
- Do not believe in freedom of thought and speech or in a wide range of other inalienable freedoms.
- Are biased on questions of gender, culture, species, and politics.
- Are unable and/or unwilling to think within the viewpoints of others who hold a different worldview.
The barriers listed above are just a few. However, if Paul and Elder’s barriers to critical societies are true, there is cause to consider Mounk’s concerns regarding identity synthesis.
The Identity Trap hits a raw nerve. There are injustices and atrocities in the world that we cannot ignore. We live in a broken world, and we desperately need God’s salvation. Oftentimes, we seek this salvation through our own human efforts rather than through God’s divine healing. I acknowledge that I am not an expert in areas of study which comprise Mounk’s identity synthesis. But like any data presented to me, I desire to analyze and access it critically. I found much of what Mounk presented closely mirrored that of Paul and Elder’s ideas concerning Unethical Pursuit of Group Agendas and 20 Barriers to Critical Societies in their Critical Thinking Tools and Concepts. In conclusion, I would like to end with a final thought from Mounk, “We too must remember that smart and decent people can come to radically different conclusions about all kinds of important issues—including the question of whether the identity synthesis is a force for good or for ill.” [11] My desire is that we continue to talk about it and point those who need healing to the One who gives fullness of identity.
[1] Sandra L Richter, Stewards of Eden (p. 68). InterVarsity Press. Kindle Edition.
[2] Frank D. Macchia, The Trinity Practically Speaking (p. 46). InterVarsity Press.
[3] Yascha Mounk, The Identity Trap: A Story of Ideas and Power in Our Time (p. 10). Penguin Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
[4] Yascha Mounk, The Identity Trap (p. 8). Kindle Edition.
[5] Richard Paul and Linda Elder, The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking Concepts and Tools (Thinker’s Guide Library) (p. 44). The Foundation for Critical Thinking. Kindle Edition.
[6] The word “sociocentric” is reserved for those group beliefs that cause harm or are likely to cause harm.
[7] The definition of universalism is loyalty to and concern for others without regard to national or other allegiances.
[8] Yascha Mounk, The Identity Trap (p. 8). Kindle Edition.
[9] Richard Paul and Linda Elder, The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking Concepts and Tools (p. 44). Kindle Edition.
[10] Ibid, 46.
[11] Yascha Mounk, The Identity Trap (p. 274). Penguin Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
About the Author
Elysse Burns
10 responses to “I Am a Resident on a Planet In Desperate Need of Salvation”
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Elysse, thanks for a great post. You mentioned the raw nerve of being reminded again of humanity’s brokenness. Can you say more about that? I’m interested in the perspective you are taking. I
Julie, thank you for the kind remarks. I think reading Mounk reminded me of the reality, “Oh yeah, we have to have these serious conversations.” And saddened because we are still having these conversations. I ask myself, “Why are these injustices still happening?” Sometimes it feels we haven’t gotten very far. My sadness comes from the knowledge that God’s world was a world in which there would never be abuse. However, I do know it will not stay this way forever! I can hope in that. I’m not sure that answers your question…
Hi Elysse, I hear something in your voice as you type the written word. Frustation? Anger? Fear? Fatigue?From the outset, you talk about the brokenness of the world. I want to shout through the computer, you are so right! Yet, I am not sure how that would translate. My question for you, though is, between Mounk and Paul and Elder, what can individual people do to point others to salvation in Christ that will impact society?
Diane, I think you sensed sadness in my tone. I ask myself, “Why are these injustices still happening?” I wrote to Julie, “It seems we haven’t gotten very far.” During our class time with Dr. Clark, I was introduced to the term “white gaze” for the first time. I would never want this to be a reality for my colleagues in North Africa. Anyways, the tone is just a general sadness in acknowledging the reality that we don’t treat each other the way God intends.
Salvation makes it possible to have a restored relationship with God. I relate this idea to the healing of relationships within the emotional triangles we discussed a couple weeks ago. I believe bringing this reality to the forefront can impact society. Restored relationships can happen. Jesus is the ultimate example of this. I find it incredibly frustrating that something so simple is so hard. I speak to myself with this.
Elysse,
Thanks for introducing a new book into my already-stuffed bookshelves! I will definitely be checking that one out.
What a fascinating connection to the group think, described as groupishness.
As a resident on this planet, how do you find yourself navigating group think so that you don’t lose your identity?
Nancy, you ask an excellent question. This is something I have learned over the past few years working overseas. There are certain philosophies/methods people maintain over here that are often driven by bigger international organizations working in the country (i.e. popular trends). There was a season when I felt I was the problem because I found certain philosophies and methods harmful. After much study of scripture, intentional prayer, and self-reflection I felt the Lord lead me to make certain decisions that have kind of made me an “outsider.” I am confident in my decisions now because I have seen God do some miraculous things. Perhaps, a little part of me has always enjoyed being a rebel? Anyways, I suppose the best thing to keep me from group-think is forming my thoughts and actions on scripture, prayer, and self-reflection.
Great post Elysse, thank you. I love how you find the intersections between Mounk and Paul and Elder. Do you find yourself getting caught in any group-think traps? If so, what makes you notice, and might you try to avoid such traps in the future?
Debbie, I believe in the past I would have been more vulnerable to group-think in certain areas. However, this has changed for me specifically working overseas. There are certain philosophies and methods people maintain in the country that are often driven by popular trends. There was a season when I believed I was the problem because I found certain philosophies and methods harmful to the host culture. After much study of scripture, intentional prayer, and self-reflection I felt the Lord lead me to make certain decisions that made me an “outsider.” I believe multiple people have used Micah 6:8 as a key verse for this week’s discussion. I use this verse as a standard for determining group-think traps. Perhaps, people can have different ideas what justice and mercy look like. However, the “walking humbly with God” is usually a key indicator of where a person is at. There is an arrogant, self-righteousness in group-think and Micah 6:8 helps me recognize and step away from it.
Elysee, I appreciate your framing in a way that brings us back to God. You share how you’ve grappled with “what is reasonable, useful, or helpful?” and then outline some of Paul and Elders’s thoughts.
Remembring that “smart and decent people can come to radically different conclusions about all kinds of important issues—including the question of whether the identity synthesis is a force for good or for ill” what do you feel is a core consideration for us all to keep at the forefront of our minds/hearts while engaging conversations like this one in a way that continues dialogue while pointing us back to God who helps us root in our true identity?
Akwése, thank you for your comment. While I was working on last week’s post, I went down a rabbit trail of YouTube videos discussing reconciliation in Rwanda. I was really impacted by a woman, Carine Kanimba, who survived these atrocities and led a Ted Talk on her journey of forgiveness. Something she discussed in her talk was her realization that the perpetrators were on their own journey too. I found this statement incredible given all she had faced. Another example I can think of is Corrie Ten Boom when she crossed paths with a Nazi guard who had taken part in the abuse and eventual death of her sister. He had become a Christian and one Sunday he came to shake her hand and thank her. She struggled with this interaction, but remembering how Jesus forgave her, she was able to forgive him. She said at that moment she felt power go through her body. I believe both Carine and Corrie’s responses were unnatural. I want to respond like this. I believe both of these individuals accepted that the perpetrators were on their own journey. I think that’s something we must keep in mind while engaging in conversations. People are on their own journeys, and we can trust God as Sovereign over the journey. As always, these are thoughts I am still processing. Take what might be helpful and forget the rest.