The Root Cause?

There is no such thing as a “root cause,” really, in the sense of going back to a beginning point where something happened without provocation. Every important thing that’s happened in history has, on some level, been a reaction to something else.

But I think a more basic assumption underlying this, and that is common in Western culture generally, is that power = freedom. If you have money, position, and influence, the thinking goes, you have more choices and alternatives than if you’re poor and downtrodden. Therefore you are more responsible for your own actions, and circumstances and outside influences don’t matter as much.

It seems commonsensical....there’s definitely a strain in modern thinking that connects sin with freedom. If anything, sinners seem freer than the righteous because they don’t bother obeying the rules, but do their own thing. And if it’s suspect in Christianity to gain power and wealth, but gaining those things brings you more freedom, well, what’s so freeing about Christ?

....I think the danger in envy is that, even in criticism, it colludes in the illusions of the powerful that they have obtained the best in life. The Gospel, however, says otherwise. They think they have power and freedom, but in reality they are pitiful slaves. And unless they see it like that, I doubt they will be interested in giving any of it up.

[via the musings and searchings of Camassia]