I'll admit I had a hard time with this one, as it was the only Colson Fellows book I listened to on audiobook, and I was often distracted by the author's tone of voice. It's likely worth a read again, as there was some absolutely great stuff in here.
"Expressive individualism" - Each person has a unique core of feeling that must be expressed if individuality is to be recognized. Authentic to inner feelings rather than transcendent truth.
Rosseau / Romantics said identity is found in the inner-psychological life of an individual. Feelings are central to who we are. Society/culture exerts a corrupting influence on the self. The extent that society prevents us from acting in accordance with our feelings, it prevents us from being who we are. Society makes us inauthentic.
Essentially - they blame corruption on society, not Adam / sin.
Unprecedented times: Technology makes so much information (and misinformation) available instantly. But people have always pushed against the ideas of outside moral authority. This abandonment of God's rule is not new, but the speed at which these ideas spread is.
Recognize that when someone's identity is so tied up in what they think of themselves psychologically, then any words against those thoughts or behaviors are received as direct attacks on their identity.
10/31/2023 // NF // Audio