Harmony and Tension: Individuality vs Kingdom Citizenship in a 3-D Worldview
December 5, 2023
Katherine Schultz
“I just want to make my own decisions, Mom,” Emily asserts, her eyes reflecting the intensity of her desire for personal freedom.
In the quiet corners of suburbia, where mowed lawns and neat fences outline a semblance of order, Mrs. Smith, a staunch advocate for individual freedoms, finds herself grappling with a dilemma. Her teenage daughter, Emily, with a penchant for self-expression, is pushing boundaries that challenge the very core of Mrs. Smith’s beliefs.
This evening, as Emily passionately pleads her case for more autonomy in choosing her path, Mrs. Smith can’t help but feel a swell of frustration.
This familial tug-of-war resonates far beyond the Smith household, echoing the broader societal struggle between individuality and kingdom citizenship. It’s a struggle that often leaves us, like Mrs. Smith, questioning how to reconcile our commitment to personal autonomy with the principles of a mature biblical worldview.
Personal Autonomy and Divine Authority
At the heart of the Smith family drama lies a universal tension—the interplay between individual rights and kingdom citizenship. This tension, central to a mature biblical worldview, challenges us to navigate the delicate balance between personal autonomy and the recognition that our individual rights do not supersede the ultimate authority of the divine.
- “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
This struggle assumes a unique intensity in the United States, a nation that extols the virtues of individualism. The cultural battleground between the celebrated individual and the biblical principle of kingdom citizenship becomes particularly pronounced in a society where personal choices are exalted. As we work to develop a biblically aligned 3-Dimensional Worldview, we have to navigate this cultural battleground.
- “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1
Transforming Frustration into Spiritual Growth
Mrs. Smith’s frustration – and Emily’s – become a microcosm of a broader challenge—to recognize that individual rights find their truest meaning when they align with divine authority. The limitations that provoke our frustrations can serve as poignant reminders to reassess whether our desires are in harmony with God’s overarching plan. This approach calls for a humble acknowledgment that our understanding is finite, and divine authority exceeds our personal preferences.
Practical Steps for Growth
But we can’t merely highlight the challenges of the culture around us. We also need practical steps for growth. Revisiting foundational concepts, incorporating Bible reading into our daily lives, and taking time to read with an eye toward developing our worldview helps us understand and navigate the complexities of our world, and better understand our own worldview in a Biblical light.
Understanding and addressing the complexities of developing a mature biblical worldview in a contemporary is difficult, especially within a culture that often prioritizes individualism. We, and our students, need to spend time in reflection on the clash between societal values and biblical principles. We should be offering our students a roadmap for growth and understanding, encouraging them to place their citizenship in heaven above their citizenship on earth.
Awareness of Cultural Influences: A Mindful Approach to Living Faithfully
Acknowledging the unique challenges faced in the United States, where cultural influences often clash with biblical principles, can help students to assess societal norms with wisdom. This fosters a more intentional approach to living out one’s faith in a cultural context that will not always align with kingdom principles.
The Primacy of God’s Kingdom in a Biblical Worldview
A biblical worldview places a profound emphasis on prioritizing citizenship in God’s kingdom over allegiance to earthly nations. In Matthew 6:33, Jesus instructs his followers with unwavering clarity, stating, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” This directive underscores the foundational principle that the pursuit of God’s kingdom should precede all other priorities. The Bible consistently teaches that our primary allegiance is to the sovereign rule of God, emphasizing an eternal perspective that transcends the temporal boundaries of earthly citizenship.
Earthly Citizenship in Light of God’s Kingdom
While earthly citizenship is acknowledged and respected in a biblical worldview, it is seen through the lens of a higher allegiance to God’s kingdom. Philippians 3:20 reinforces this perspective, stating, “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” This recognition of heavenly citizenship shapes how we engage with our earthly roles and responsibilities. It implies that our behavior as citizens of any nation should align with the principles of God’s kingdom, reflecting the great commission, the fruits of the spirit, and other virtues identified in the Bible. A biblical worldview enables believers to view their earthly citizenship as a means to contribute positively to society while remaining grounded in the eternal citizenship of God’s kingdom.
The Impermanence of Earthly Kingdoms and the Eternal Reign of God
A biblical worldview places a higher emphasis on God’s kingdom by acknowledging the impermanence of earthly kingdoms. In Daniel 2:44, Daniel interprets King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, proclaiming, “In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever.” This passage underscores the temporary nature of earthly kingdoms (no matter how enduring they seem) and the eternal duration of God’s kingdom. It invites believers to recognize that while earthly citizenship is temporary, citizenship in God’s kingdom is everlasting, urging them to prioritize eternal values over temporal loyalties.
In the delicate balance between individuality and kingdom citizenship, let us navigate the tension with wisdom, seeking a proper, subservient integration of our personal rights under the framework of divine authority.
Now What?
Do you know what your students think about their rights as citizens of their own country and as citizens of God’s kingdom? The 3-D Worldview Survey can help with that and many other questions of worldview beliefs, behaviors, and attitudes.
- What Is the 3-D Worldview Survey?
- Take the 3-D Worldview for yourself
If you haven’t yet used the 3-D Worldview Survey with your class, check out the pdf below for some questions to get you started.
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