{"id":33225,"date":"2023-10-06T16:18:26","date_gmt":"2023-10-06T23:18:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/?p=33225"},"modified":"2023-11-05T11:49:58","modified_gmt":"2023-11-05T19:49:58","slug":"in-christ","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/in-christ\/","title":{"rendered":"In Christ"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction<\/strong><\/p>\n

Francis Fukuyama’s book “Identity: The Demand for Dignity and the Politics of Resentment” delves into the complex interplay of identity politics, anger, and fear that has become increasingly prominent in contemporary society. Fukuyama argues that the politics of resentment, fueled by feelings of exclusion and frustration, has played a significant role in shaping modern politics.[1]<\/a> In this essay, I will explore Fukuyama’s insights on the politics of resentment and its connection to identity politics. Furthermore, I will discuss how the current state of identity politics, coupled with the rise of \u201cstrongman\u201d governments around the world, has created a perfect storm for global disaster. And lastly, I\u2019ll conclude with how Fukuyama’s analysis can provide a unique perspective on how Christians should consider basing their identity in Christ.[2]<\/a><\/p>\n

The Politics of Resentment<\/strong><\/p>\n

Fukuyama posits that the politics of resentment is driven by a sense of humiliation and the perception of social, economic, or cultural exclusion.[3]<\/a> Individuals and groups who feel marginalized and left behind in a rapidly changing world often respond with anger and fear. These emotions can be channeled into identity politics, where people seek recognition and dignity by identifying with a particular group or identity.[4]<\/a> This sense of identity becomes a source of validation and solidarity for those who feel marginalized.[5]<\/a><\/p>\n

Anger and Fear in Identity Politics<\/strong><\/p>\n

Identity politics often thrives on anger and fear, as these emotions provide a powerful motivation for political mobilization.[6]<\/a> Fukuyama argues that the rise of identity politics, fueled by these emotions, has led to the polarization of societies and the breakdown of social cohesion.[7]<\/a> People are drawn to leaders and movements that promise to protect their identity and restore their sense of dignity, even at the expense of others. This dynamic can perpetuate a cycle of resentment and conflict, making it challenging to find common ground and work towards constructive solutions.[8]<\/a><\/p>\n

Strongman Governments<\/strong><\/p>\n

The current state of identity politics, coupled with the rise of “strongman” governments around the world, creates a potentially volatile and concerning situation that could indeed be seen as a perfect storm for global disaster. This scenario is fraught with numerous risks and challenges, ranging from increased polarization and social divisions to threats to democratic institutions and international stability.<\/p>\n

Undermining democratic institutions is at present the most obvious threat to American democracy. We have been given a ringside seat to strongman tactics every day for the past decade. Tactics that are characterized by authoritarian tendencies\/threats and the use of identity politics to consolidate power. The strongman activities exploit societal divisions to justify increased control, limit dissent, and erode democratic institutions and norms.[9]<\/a> The erosion of democratic values can weaken checks and balances, erode the rule of law, and undermine fundamental freedoms, endangering the stability of individual nations and international relations.[10]<\/a><\/p>\n

The Role of Christianity in Identity<\/strong><\/p>\n

As I ponder Fukuyama\u2019s work on identity, the rise of \u201cstrongman\u201d governments, and the political upheaval in the U.S. \u2013 I still somehow believe that if I can identify where humanity went off the tracks somehow, we could go back and \u201cfix\u201d things. Alas, I\u2019ve come to conclude that is not to be.<\/p>\n

So, what do we do?\u00a0 Let\u2019s explore how Fukuyama’s analysis offers a thought-provoking perspective for Christians. \u00a0I know that Christianity teaches the importance of love, humility, and selflessness, values that stand in stark contrast to the divisive nature of identity politics. Instead of defining our identity primarily in terms of race, ethnicity, or nationality, Christians are encouraged to base our identity in Christ.\u00a0 This Christ-centered identity calls for Christians to reject the politics of resentment and instead seek reconciliation, understanding, and unity.\u00a0 As a corollary, Fukuyama makes the point that one way to consolidate an identity group is to focus on religion. At some level, Christianity in part has been co-opted into the identity politic\u2019s message rather than the identity message of Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n

Fukuyama writes on page 10 that the \u201cinner sense of dignity seeks recognition.\u201d Furthermore, he equates dignity with a sense of worth or self-esteem, and ultimately connects our self-esteem to outside recognition from others. Conceptually, I agree with him.\u00a0 However, as a spiritual being I no longer base my self-worth on outside recognition.\u00a0 (Albeit there are those times when outside recognition is great \u2013 but it is no longer my foundation for basing my worth.)<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n

In a world where identity politics often fuels anger and fear, Christians can set an example by embracing a Christ-centered identity. We can demonstrate the transformative power of love and forgiveness, and work towards building bridges rather than walls. But first we must wrestle with our own source of identity, individually and collectively as a body. \u00a0By doing so, Christians can play a vital role in promoting reconciliation and healing in a world increasingly marked by anger, fear, and identity-based divisions.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

[1]<\/a> Francis Fukuyama, Identity: The Demand For Dignity And The Politics Of Resentment<\/em> (New York: Picador, 2018), 7.<\/p>\n

[2]<\/a> ChatGPT, OpenAI, October 6, 2023.<\/p>\n

[3]<\/a> Ibid., 6-11.<\/p>\n

[4]<\/a> ChatGPT, OpenAI, October 6, 2023.<\/p>\n

[5]<\/a> Ibid., 7.<\/p>\n

[6]<\/a> ChatGPT, OpenAI, October 6, 2023.<\/p>\n

[7]<\/a> Ibid., 180.<\/p>\n

[8]<\/a> Ibid., 181.<\/p>\n

[9]<\/a> Dan Drollette Jr., \u201cIt\u2019s a different kind of world we\u2019re living in now\u201d: Interview with Francis Fukuyama, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, 78:6, (November 2022): 319,https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/00963402.2022.2132738<\/p>\n

[10]<\/a> Ibid., 319<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Introduction Francis Fukuyama’s book “Identity: The Demand for Dignity and the Politics of Resentment” delves into the complex interplay of identity politics, anger, and fear that has become increasingly prominent in contemporary society. Fukuyama argues that the politics of resentment, fueled by feelings of exclusion and frustration, has played a significant role in shaping modern […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":167,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2309],"tags":[2837],"class_list":["post-33225","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-doctor-of-leadership","tag-dlgp01-fukuyama-identity","cohort-dlgp01"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33225","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/167"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=33225"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33225\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":33936,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33225\/revisions\/33936"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=33225"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=33225"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=33225"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}