“The people gathered themselves together to Aaron and said to him, ‘Up, make us gods who shall go before us.’” – Exodus 32:1
It is interesting that this episode occurs en masse. Aaron acts as leader, but we see that the people were the driving force from beginning to end: the pronouns throughout the story are all plural. The noise is collective. They do it all together. David Brooks says that in our culture of “hyper-individualism,” we have this concept of the “buffered self”; we like to think that we are all making our own choices about how to live. But the reality is, our framework for viewing the world, and the choices we make, are undoubtedly affected by the culture in which we live. The calf wasn’t made in one person’s tent. Similarly, we oughtn’t think about idols as only existing in the personal sphere.
Our community group last spring discussed cultural idols as we read through Tim Keller’s book Every Good Work, summarizing Keller’s points and adding our own. Here is the summary:
Traditional culture: idols are stability, honor, family group, nation tribe, security, tradition, religion. Meaning is derived from being faithful to one’s duty, honoring family, holding status. Pros: loyalty, selflessness, collective well-being, social stability. Cons: racism, marginalization, suppression of liberties, shame
Modern culture: idols are science, knowledge, empiricism, reason, individual freedom, equality, and progress. Meaning is derived from “discovery,” career and personal happiness. Pros: technology, public health (okay, that was from Dave), arts, social mobility. Cons: disenchantment with faith, too much stock in autonomy
Post-modern culture: idols are deconstruction, “mood,” cynicism/suspicion of universal claims, “means without ends,” no moral absolutes, consumerism, capitalism. Meaning is derived from self-actualization, self-expression, and self-determinism. Pros: critical thinking, justice, plurality of voices. Cons: intolerance of absolute truth, over-deconstruction (no meaning in anything), “unconscious conformity,” consumerism
Silicon Valley: idols are ideas, innovation, disruption, optimization, tolerance (“you be you”), inclusion, health/fitness, “changing the world,” social mission, uniqueness, self-care. Meaning is derived from “changing the world,” pursuing your passion, becoming famous, inclusively accepting everyone. Pros: social justice, physical health, environmental awareness, racial diversity, opportunity. Cons: exclusive inclusion, socioeconomic/educational homogeneity, anxiety/stress, lack of contentment, burn-out, gentrification
We then tried to identify the world view, or “master narrative,” of our culture by asking three questions: how are things supposed to be? (purpose) What is the main problem with things as they are? (problem) What is the solution and how can it be realized? (solution)
For Silicon Valley, the purpose is that we control our own destiny. Human potential should be limitless. We should have informed, rational decision-making; we should be anything we want. The problems are intolerance, lack of connectivity, unequal starting points, and lack of information. The solution is technology, education, and inclusion.
For the gospel, the purpose is to be in relationship with God. The problems are sin, idolatry, fractured relationships, pride. The solution is Jesus, grace, redemption, restoration, repentance, reconciliation, hope.
This was just what our group came up with at that point in time. What would you add or change? Do you see evidence of these cultural idols or worldviews around you?
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