Is Individualism Biblical?
The short answer is "yes".
Let's talk a little about Collectivism and Individualism and how they relate to today's world.
Collectivism is the principle or practice of prioritizing group cohesion over individual pursuits.
Individualism is a value or political view which focuses on human independence and freedom. It is generally against external interference regarding personal choices.
Do you agree?
Let's continue.
COLLECTIVISM
Coinciding names or terms that you may be familiar with:
GLOBALIZATION (Globalization is the process of integrating the economy of the country with the world economy.)
▪️Cultural Globalization:
The Silk Road which was made to encourage trade between China and the countries around the Mediterranean Sea.
Belt and Road
▪️Diplomatic Globalization
World Trade Organization (WTO)
World Health Organization (WHO)
World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
United Nations (UN)
European Union (EU)
▪️Economic Globalization
Multinational Corporations (MNC)
Klynveld Peat Marwick Goerdeler (KPMG) - international tax services promoting net zero, climate change and more
▪️Automotive Industry Globalization
(Most, if not all automobile manufacturers)
▪️Food Industry Globalization
(International food and beverage chains such as McDonalds and Starbucks)
▪️Technological Globalization
(Internet, cell phone, and telecommunications such as CNN)
▪️Banking Industry Globalization
Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC)
▪️ Financial Globalization
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
World Trade Organization (WTO)
International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD)
World Economic Forum (WEF)
Kiel Institute for the World Economy (KIWE)
Bretton Woods Institution (BWI)
European Central Bank (ECB)
Institute of International Finance (IIF)
World Federation of Exchanges (WFE)
World Bank Group (WBG)
SOCIALISM
TOTALITARIANISM
BOLSHEVISM
LENINISM
MARXISM
SOVIETISM
RULE of PROLETARIATS
STATE OWNERSHIP
>>> IN HISTORY
▪️ Marshall Plan
▪️Age of Enlightenment
INDIVIDUALISM
The belief in the importance of the individual and the virtue of self-reliance and personal independence.
I'm not going to spend a lot of time on explaining what Individualism is, I believe everyone knows Conservatism and Individualism go hand-in-hand.
Instead, I will present a bit of biblical evidence showing how the Bible promotes Individualism over Collectivism.
In Matthew 10:34-38, Jesus indicated that following Him might offend others.
That's especially true when the Christian individual refuses to revel in something the larger culture thinks is acceptable -John 15:19.
Christ also spoke positively of a person's right to decide how to use his own property and abilities in Matthew 21:33-41 and 25:14-30.
These are only a few examples out of many, but the main example is in the story of the Tower of Babel.
Genesis 11
6 And the LORD said, Behold, the people are one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.
This was an obvious reference to Collectivism. What God does next is to cause the "collective" to disperse and become "individual" groups of people.
7 Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech.
8 So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city.
Agree? Disagree?
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