Identity: Chosen and Beloved
Dominion: How the Christian Revolution Remade the World, by Tom Holland, is a fitting book to end our extensive reading list. Holland writes a compelling and insightful history of how Christianity has influenced the world. He asserts that even those who reject the faith live out the unmistakable principles of Christianity. Conversely, he exposes the failures of the Christian church. He writes, “To live in a Western country is to live in a society still utterly saturated by Christian concepts and assumptions.”[1] Indeed, I see the impact of Christianity in countries far less Christian than my own. It’s unsettling to have a historian describe how the world remains influenced by Christianity while faith in the love and mercy of God is rejected. It’s troubling to read how various interpretations of the Christian faith have brought both good and ill into the world.
As I read Holland’s interpretation of Christianity’s enduring impact, I noticed familiar topics and recurring themes shared with other books we’ve read. The unrelenting issues surrounding identity, religion, slavery, racism, colonialism, and war are among the obvious wicked problems retraced within the pages of the book. Christians have contributed to these problems, suffered through them, and steadily worked to make a difference. The ways our stories connect and intersect were not lost on me. All this drives home the point that chaos and uncertainty are the norm, peace in this world is elusive, and God’s mission of love and reconciliation remains our enduring hope for change. I also noticed how a belief in being chosen has impacted world events.
A Chosen Identity
I’m reminded of the lens Francis Fukuyama inspired me to consider in Identity: The Demand for Dignity and the Politics of Resentment. He wrote, “Demand for recognition of one’s identity is a master concept that unifies much of what is going on in world politics today.”[2] What about world history? How has identity factored in over the centuries? I wonder how the belief that one is chosen impacts identity. What does it mean to be chosen as an individual, a people, a nation, or a leader? How does our “chosen” identity impact our decisions and behavior? The implications seem to reverberate through the ages yet are also deeply personal.
Holland notes that followers of Judaism, Islam, and Christianity all claim a chosen identity bestowed upon them by God. All claim the promise of Deuteronomy 7:6 of being a chosen people marked as God’s treasured possession. However, Holland comments that scripture has been used to substantiate this “chosen” identity as a militant calling.[3] None of the faith traditions mentioned above are innocent. At what point does a sincere faith turn militant? Is a militant stance part of what Russell Moore was getting at when he defined evangelicalism as a type of cultural Christianity and identity?[4] This militant view has a long and confusing history. An ancient belief that the favor of the gods rested upon a strong leader or nation was proof enough to conquer and subdue others. Is a “chosen” identity about domination or being a blessing? Regrettably, the belief in being chosen by God has meant the exclusion and abuse, if not the destruction, of others who are weak, different, feared, or in possession of something coveted. The impact of such a belief on our connection to one another is evident and contrary to Jesus’ greatest commandment to love.
“Love the Lord your God with all our heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with your strength.” (Mark 12: 30)
“Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mark 12: 31)
The entire point of being chosen by God is to bring reconciliation and blessing to the nations of this world. However, to deny that evil has been done by those who believed themselves chosen would be dishonest. Jesus, the Prince of Peace, stated in Matthew 10:34, “Do not suppose that I came to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.” I struggle with these words. Yet, I think I understand. While Jesus’ presence in this world has brought peace to many who believe, his presence as a different kind of king, representing a different kind of kingdom, has stirred up opposition and hostility among non-Christians and Christians alike for two millennia. His coming disrupted everything. Jesus’ willingness to suffer was a new kind of power that changed the world. Holland writes, “The Son of God, by becoming mortal, had redeemed all humanity. Not as a leader of armies, not as the conqueror of Caesars, but as a victim the Messiah had come.”[5] It is from this place of suffering that he calls us chosen—a suffering born out of love for the world.
A Beloved Identity
Our identity as chosen is inseparable from God’s love. To be chosen is to know we are beloved. Love is foundational if we want to embrace our identity as God’s chosen people. An identity grounded in love is what God desires to lavish upon all humanity, and God wants to do it through us. God chose to love us first. In choosing him, we choose to live and love as Jesus demonstrated and commanded. Without love, we will get our “chosen” identity all wrong.
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:12-14
It seems too soon that our weekly posts and class time are ending. I’ve enjoyed my doctoral studies with all of you and am excited to witness how our projects will impact the world. You are chosen for such a time as this, and you are loved.
I look forward to celebrating with you all in May!
[1] Tom Holland, Dominion: How the Christian Revolution Remade the World (New York, NY: Basic Book, 2019), 13.
[2] Francis Fukuyama, Identity: The Demand for Dignity and the Politics of Resentment (New York: Picador, 2018), xv.
[3] Tom Holland, Dominion, 196.
[4] Russell Moore, Losing Our Religion: An Altar Call for Evangelical America (New York, NY: Sentinel, 2023),16-18.
[5] Tom Holland, Dominion, 103.
About the Author
Jenny Dooley
Jenny served as a missionary in Southeast Asia for 28 years. She currently resides in Gig Harbor, Washington, where she works as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Certified Spiritual Director in private practice with her husband, Eric. Jenny loves to listen and behold the image of God in others. She enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with her family which include 5 amazing adult children, 3 awesome sons-in-law, a beautiful daughter-in-law, and 8 delightful grandchildren.2 responses to “Identity: Chosen and Beloved”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Jenny, first of all, dang, you did a great job on making this post syntopical! I was reading your post and thinking, “Well yeah, I should have thought how that book connected with my thoughts on Dominion!” But what I really wanted to address was your comment, “All this drives home the point that chaos and uncertainty are the norm, peace in this world is elusive, and God’s mission of love and reconciliation remains our enduring hope for change,” because it spoke so clearly to me about my own questions. In my post I wrote that I kept seeing history repeat itself making me question why I even do what I do! You help me to see that it’s because of God’s mission of love and reconciliation that I keep doing what I do. Thank you!
Jenny,
I love this, “I’m reminded of the lens Francis Fukuyama inspired me to consider in Identity: The Demand for Dignity and the Politics of Resentment. He wrote, “Demand for recognition of one’s identity is a master concept that unifies much of what is going on in world politics today.”[2]” I had not made the connection to Fukuyama.