In part one of this blog, I mentioned the first three dimensions of the “Gospel of Self” that Al Mohler dealt with in his address at the 2007 “Together for the Gospel” conference … self-fulfillment, self-sufficiency, self-definition.  I found these ideas captivating, not only in understanding the culture we live in, but also the ways it tries to seduce us into thinking these vain thoughts.  Here are the remaining four.

SELF-ABSORPTION.  Our culture is increasingly driven by the idea that the only thing that matters is “me.”  When people become so absorbed in themselves, they make decisions apart from a concern for the impact on others.  And the idea of a principle of right and wrong (let alone a God who defines those values) becomes meaningless.  Mohler refers to a scenario pastor/counselors hear all too often.  “I divorced because I needed to, in order to become the self that I need to be.”  How different that is from true religion which focuses on God and His will, not self and its wishes.

SELF-TRANSCENDENCE.  “Spirituality” is popular today, but not in the traditional sense; and certainly not in any sense connected with what is derisively called “organized religion.”  People are interested in something more than the physical world.  But the new spirituality is sought within one's self through crystals and new age fantasies and in customized blends of religious ideas.  Spirituality is more of a metaphysical cafeteria where people pick a little of this and a little of that, and then stir it all up to give them a sense of “something” beyond themselves.  But that “something” does not exist outside of their imagination.  It is really only an extension of their own personality.  In contrast, the true God exists independent of any created being.

SELF-ENHANCEMENT.  We are living in an age when people are driven to whatever is possible (and science is making more and more things possible!) to enhance and improve themselves, even to the point of dangerous procedures.  Athletes take steroids to achieve levels of performance they could not attain in their own natural strength.  Mothers give their daughters breast augmentation surgery for high school presents to enhance their sensuality.  And we are hearing more and more about the potentials for genetically engineering babies with super intellects.  How different was Paul’s attitude when he wrote, “I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content” (Philippians 4:11).

SELF-SECURITY.  Here’s one that really hits home as a challenge for us to live in a way that is consistent with what we claim to believe.  All around us are people who believe they are safe.  This false sense of security is like a tranquilizing drug in our emotions.  Mohler writes …

We have childproof caps on our medicine bottles.  We have warnings on coffee cups from MacDonalds that we ought not to drive with the beverage in our lap.  We have vaccines, antibiotics, MRIs, and CAT scans.  We have OSHA, and bumpers on our cars that are made to receive the impact and then return to normal.  We are told to wear seat belts.  We have a massive military and a police force.  We have hospitals, and we think we are safe.  We even extend this financially: we want to retire, we have investments, and we feel safe.

How things have changed, though, in that realm since Mohler wrote those words.  The recent economic collapse should have shaken that sense of security.  But we’ll get past it, just like we got past 9-11, and that sense of safety will wash over us again.

Mohler points out, though, that throughout history, Christians have never had the right to feel safe.  Not only is that because of persecution.  Along with everyone else, we have always faced dangers from disease and famine and war, even before the word “terrorist” was common.  Our safety is not in our medicines or our economy or our military.  The only safety is in God.  And it is a safety that will not keep us from pain and suffering and death.  Rather, it is a safety that will use those very things as means of strengthening us spiritually and delivering us to a life beyond this one.

These seven dimensions of the “Gospel of the Self” can very easily seep into our hearts if we are not careful.  The temptations we face are not just lust and pride and a critical spirit.  We also face the temptation to adopt a self-focused perspective on life.  As the Puritan John Owen warned us, “Be ever killing sin, or it will be killing you.”