Atlas Shrugged and Jesus Wept

I will probably say this over and over in this blog: you cannot ascribe to the philosophy of Ayn Rand and be a Christian; the two are incompatible. Her philosophy is the antithesis of Christianity. You could more easily declare yourself a fish and breathe underwater than make the philosophical stretch that would allow you to place a foot in both schools of thought, both systems of beliefs.

I can see the allure of Rand's Objectivism: the idea that each person is beholden only to himself, never sacrificing himself for the sake of others or expecting other to make sacrifices on our behalf. It is a philosophy that is tailor-made for our modern time. In our society, because of the startling technological advances that have been in the most recent and extremely brief period of human history it is easier than ever for a person to cut themselves off, be wholly self-sufficient and wholly devoted to one's own happiness. Each man an island and each island a sovereign nation beholden to no other.

But as a Christian, I know that man was created to be a companion. Adam was made to be a companion to God, Himself. Eve was created to be a companion to Adam. We have this built-in gravitational pull that compels us human beings to draw close to one another, to seek out companionship. This interdependence on one another is our greatest source of joy. Can you honestly think of any time of happiness that you have experienced in solitude that can rival the happiness that has been shared with your closest and most intimate companions? We are just wired this way. And in spite of the fact that modern life pushes to greater compartmentalization and times of independence or solitude and we are becoming more and more accustomed to this does not make it natural.

To go along with the independence around which Rand built her philosophy is her concept of "the virtue of selfishness." Altruism, charity, generosity have no place in a Randian world. But these are one of the cornerstones of Christian faith. The new commandment that Jesus gives us, that we love one another as He has loved us is in 180 degree opposition to this very idea. Jesus loved us enough to take our place and sacrifice Himself for our sins - the greatest and most stark example possible in opposition to selfishness. And we all ourselves Christians because we identify with Him and want to be living examples of His life. We cannot do this and be selfish - they are extreme opposites.

...we'll talk more on this later.