I finished Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand a few weeks ago and I have finally figured out what it is about the book that fits in with my views of humanity, Christianity, and the world in which we live.
1) I believe that adding value to humanity is the highest goal a person can attain and that when one does add value to humanity, one is truly operating in the image of God.
2) I believe that it is every human's responsibility to create value in one way or another. That the creation of value does not show in our bank accounts but through the productiveness of the mind, spirit, and body that God gave to us. We are stewards of said attributes, and as stewards it is our obligation to use our mind, body, and spirit to further the cause of ourself and those around us.
3) I believe that God created every human being with the ability to create value in one way or another. There are no social parasites in the Kingdom of God because people who do not have the mental capacity to be productive add value through their display of Godly virtues. The giving and receiving of love, laughter, and care adds just as much value as does the production of a car. Money is only one of the forms of value.
4) I believe that the even trading of value for value is the way that our world will operate in the Kingdom of God. Imagine the freedom in knowing that to show someone respect was to gain it yourself or to show love was to receive it. Knowing that love was a commodity to be purchased, not callously, but actually being able to percieve the transfer of love from a homeless man when you gave him $20 or a hug.
5) I believe that the fallen nature of man has devalued all virtues other than the one that we have the specific ability to produce. One man is intelligent and sees people of lower intelligence as worth less. Another man is generous and sees people who are not generous as worth less. The monetary emphasis in our culture today is a direct result of the people in power having money. In the middle ages it was land and people could be classified into castes based on their land ownership. When Christ comes, all of these values will be equal. Having a high amount of money will be worth no more and no less than having a high amount of love. Rich men have a problem entering the Kingdom because they are unwilling to see their money as an equal to another's love.
Let me know what you think and/or if you think this is a crock.
3 comments:
I think creating value is a good thing, and one that God calls us to--that's the whole notion of "Vocation". But I also don't think that it is the summum bonum--the greatest good.
More to come, must collect thoughts...
Note that the creation of value was not merely limited to the value created by production. To demonstrate love for another is also a "creation of value." Any place that performing no action is a viable option is an opportunity for the creation of value. That is why I think it is the highest goal. I am interested to see what you have to say.
I finally sorted through my thoughts. The Westminster Catechism says that The Chief End of Man is to Serve God and Glorify Him forever. Insofar as 'adding value' to humanity glorifies God, you're dead on.
But adding value is not, in and of itself, good. You can create tons of value and still not have justice. You can create value and not serve God in the process. When you direct the creation of value toward service to and glorification of God, then it is a cool thing.
I guess all that to say, it is not the ontology (nature) of "Adding Value" that makes it good/bad, but rather its Telos (end).
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