Identity

This month's newsletter is the last of the series written by one of our elder candidates as they develop their ministry to the church.

by Paul Stoddard

When someone asks you who you are, how do you respond?

I usually mention that I work in finance and live in Utah, which usually includes something about mountains, skiing, camping or some other outdoor activity to make myself sound cooler than I really am. Most of us generally mention what we do for a living, perhaps a hobby or two, and where we are from. How we respond is a reflection of who we are.

We have been discussing the challenging but necessary topic of sexuality and gender identity in our community groups. One of the key issues that we explored was “How has the question of one’s identity become more prevalent with each generation?” Do you identify as an outdoor enthusiast? Perhaps you call yourself a car junkie or a crunchy mom. Identity delves deeper when we drill into what values we uphold; conservative or liberal, Christian or non-religious.

The centrality of identity has grown as the sources of our “selves” shifted in the last century. This source used to be something external, usually religion or a commitment to our community or governmental institutions. These external sources would shape our identities and create a sense of calling, morality, and authenticity. However, in the 20th century, the source of the Self (our identity) shifted from external sources to internal. Existentialist philosophers advocated for meaning and ethics to be developed internally – we are the only ones who create our identity, morality, and authentic self. But at the turn of the 21st century, Canadian philosopher Charles Taylor questioned the logic of internally developed identity and instead promoted a return to an external source. He argued that authentic identity requires a connection to something greater than ourselves – a logical argument that a newsletter does not have the space to fully engage with!

Taylor argues that human beings long for authenticity. He suggests that in our struggle to find our authentic selves, we mistakenly form our identity using what’s internal (e.g. our feelings or preferences). Not only do we find our identity in what’s not external but also in what’s noteternal(e.g., our jobs or titles). Not focusing on the eternal, we find that our sense of self is impermanent, precarious, and unreliable.

In our democratic society, we have a world of options to connect our identities to – even if only to a shallow degree. Many of us find it in our careers. As I mentioned before, I work at a well-known financial firm. I confess that I am often wrapped up in my firm’s status, my progression, and, unfortunately, my competition with my colleagues. I become consumed by my perceived status and fail to love my coworkers, or I work just a bit longer and miss the quality time with my wife she deserves (and that I want!).

But there are other pitfalls in this search for identity. Politics is turning into religious fanaticism, morphing into tribalism rather than seeking the good of the people. Tragically, all factions have become so enmeshed with their tribe and with scoring political points that they cannot love dissenters. When we stake our identity on conservatism or liberalism, we fail to reflect what we are called to do in Christ.

When we put our identity in the wrong source, we supplant Christ as our ultimate identity formation. We no longer reflect His Image; our souls wither. As Jeremiah wrote,

Cursed is the one who trusts in man,
    who draws strength from mere flesh
    and whose heart turns away from the LORD.
That person will be like a bush in the wastelands;
    they will not see prosperity when it comes.
They will dwell in the parched places of the desert,
    in a salt land where no one lives. (Jeremiah 17:5-6)

Jeremiah goes on, naming the external source Taylor was unwilling to state,

But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD,
    whose confidence is in him.
They will be like a tree planted by the water
    that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
    its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
    and never fails to bear fruit. (17:7-8)

As Christians, we are in union with Christ, and therefore we identify in and with him. Paul declares that we share with Christ in his life, death, and resurrection; this transforms who we are. Paul writes in Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me,” and in Colossians 3:1-3, “If you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on the earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” Christ is that external force that radically transforms our selves when we find our identities in Him. Everything that we are—our jobs, our relationships, even our thoughts—falls under the transformative union and identity with and in Christ.

So, the next time someone asks you who you are, how do you think you will respond?