Tribal Mind
Our individualistic culture has trained us to think our thoughts, feelings, and beliefs are all the result of reason and logic. But they’re not. They are largely the result of our relationships.
As Western Civilization seems to be disentegrating into oblivion, it’s worth pausing and giving thanks for many of the gifts it bequeathed us.
Human rights. Common law. Constitutionalism. Art. Music. Science. The list could stretch a mile long. Nothing has done more to improve the life of the world than the spread of the Gospel and a worldview that invites creative engagement with our universe. For centuries, the Western imagination was captivated by this vision.
Along the way, of course, it was often compromised by the cultures it infiltrated. So things that stood in stark contradiction to the way of Jesus would be “baptized” and given a place where they didn’t belong (slavery, sexism, militarism, pagan tradition… the list could go on).
Humanity is creative at compromising.
Central to the Western mind was a particular view of human reason. The dominating image, up until the 20th century, was that of a court room. Human reason, it was argued, was like an objective judge, weighing the evidence. Evaluating reality. Making decisions on the basis of pure reason.
Such an image correctly recognizes that, as creatures made in God’s image, we have the capacity to discover truth, think logically and discern reality. The amazing gift of reason is a beam of light from the mind of God.
On the other hand, this view of our rational capacity tends to overstate the case.
Where it didn’t do that, it completely missed the point.
The truth is, God didn’t just create us as rational creatures (despite Aristotle calling man the “rational animal”). He made us essentially relational creatures. Our identity is not constructed through a series of logical deductions drawn from objective observation. It is molded and shaped by our relational connections.
Just stop for a moment and consider how tribal our species really is. Within each of our tribes, the rules “make sense.” They barely need to be taught because they are caught in the business of living with a group of people who all follow those rules together. Identity is shaped within that context.
If you have doubts about it, just think about how tribal the Church is. Consider the most obvious example: Worship style. Something that would feel wildly inappropriate to some Christians, depending on their tribe, feels holy and deeply meaningful to others. Some practices that seem boring as watching paint peel invest others with a profound sense of connection to God.
The examples abound, but the point is simple: So much of what we consider “normal” and “right” is really a result of our tribal identity. Things that we believe define us are often endowed habits of thought.
This can be bad, especially when we confuse these things with Truth itself.
But, it is also part of being an image-bearer: We are essentially relational. Our identity is shaped through relationships.
I believe this feature at the everyday-life level is meant to lead us up the ladder of existence to spiritual truth. Here is what I mean: Our personal identity is meant, above all, to be shaped with a deeply personal interaction with the Father. The time we spend with Him will shape us.
And the time we don’t spend with Him will shape us. Rather, we will be shaped… but not by Him.
All this to say: If we want to step into truth and allow it to shape our lives, there is only one place where it will live, breathe and become vital: In the Father’s presence.
You were made to be SOMEBODY! You are meant to exude SIGNIFICANCE and PURPOSE.
Our society is in the throes of a cultural identity crisis. You don’t have to be.
Here’s a practical idea: Ask the Holy Spirit, “How do you see me? What do you like about me? What is something that I’m good at?” He is more than willing to answer questions like that. Waiting for His answers will change your life.
Let Him help shape your identity. Make the Father, Son and Holy Spirit your “tribe.”